Skills, values & missions

Watt&Sea designs, makes and markets a new generation of hydrogenerators since 2009. The aim is to allow cruising and racing boats to get enough electricity to meet their energy needs on board. Watt&Sea hydrogenerators have totaly change the way sailors manage their electricity on board, minimizing their diesel engine dependence. They allow cruising boats to become energy self-sufficient ! Validated on all seas around the globe, they are the most powerful, reliable and the lightest available on the market.

Watt&Sea hydrogenerators have most notably been adopted by sailors on the Vendée Globe 2016, and validated on the next Volvo Ocean Race starting in October 2017 !


Our History

While preparing the Vendée Globe 2008Yannick Bestaven, a racing experienced skipper and enterprising mind person, decides to leave this adventure following its firm convictions. It is therefore at the helm of the ex-Aquitaine Innovations from Yves Parlier, that Yannick challenges to make his boat lighter, increasing its performances and making a priority in using renewable energy. While he was working on this project, Yannick met Matthieu Michou, engineer, perfectionist and passionate, specialized in marine electricity. From their work together will result the very first Watt&Sea hydrogenerator ! In August 2009, they create together Watt&Sea company !

Our key figures

  • 95% of the boats of the Vendée Globe were equipped with our hydro generators.
  • 600 Watts is the energy produced as from 8 knots by the Cruising 600 hydro generator.

Our prizes

  • 2010 : “Bateau Bleu” Label (Fédération des Industries Nautiques, FRANCE)
  • 2011 : DAME Design Award 2011 (Neitherlands)
  • 2012 : Segeln Award (Germany)
  • 2013 : Pittman Innovation Award (USA)
  • 2016 : High Technology Prize (Fédération des Industries Nautiques, FRANCE)

Yannick Bestaven

Founder / Skipper

Matthieu Michou

Founder/ CTO

Sabrina Huet

Communication and sales manager

Tatiana Cotty

sales Assistant

Florent Violet

Supply chain and after sale service
Network

3 rue Jacques Cartier
17000 La Rochelle

+33(0)5 46 41 31 99
Contact