The life of racing multihulls is a paradox! After being the object of intense desire and benefiting from extreme sacrifices, they are abandoned, forgotten, or awkwardly converted into sightseeing “buses.” Their fate is often destruction or shipwreck.
They wrote the wildest chapters in offshore racing history. The grace and balance of these machines created a lasting bond with the public and elevated their skippers to the status of social legends. In less than 40 years, these fast boats built a heritage forged in courage, boldness, and human genius — yet these ephemeral creations are fragile.
The future for these ocean birds is not the museum, but a “conservatory spirit.” They must sail. Lovers of multihulls know that these veterans are in danger. Their sporting and architectural legacy is precious.
For over a decade, preservation initiatives have been carried out in France, England, Spain, the USA… In 2005 and 2006, a handful of enthusiasts decided to gather around demonstration regattas. The first two events were genuine spontaneous and popular successes. The presence of VSD, Moxie, Umupro Jardin, and Région de Picardie created a magical synergy from which the Golden Oldies Multihulls movement was born, supporting and bringing together individual efforts to protect the heritage of offshore multihull racing.
Our association, governed by the French 1901 law, aims to:
- Promote recognition of the architectural, sporting, and historical heritage of former multihulls.
- Conduct research and compile an inventory of these historic multihulls.
- Encourage the protection of the most significant boats.
- Enable current and future owners, as well as enthusiasts and supporters, to connect and share their experience and expertise.
- Foster mutual assistance among those involved in conserving these boats and engage institutional organizations (sporting or professional federations, etc.).
- Organize nautical gatherings to allow the public to maintain the strong bonds formed with these boats and their skippers.
The association organizes annual events:
- A Mediterranean trophy in May or June
- An Atlantic gathering in August
What is a Golden Oldies boat?
Any multihull at least 25 years old, designed or modified for performance, racing, or offshore raids.
Boats outside this definition may be granted “exceptional specific approval.”
The “Silver” class includes boats launched after 1988, subject to a decision by the evaluation committee.
