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Philippe Merceron: A Journey Across the Ocean
When most envision retirement, they picture quiet days and peaceful beaches. But for seasoned sailor Philippe Merceron, retirement means something entirely different. It is all about adventure. This April, Philippe embarks on his next great chapter. Aboard a Fountaine Pajot Tanna catamaran, equipped with cutting-edge Flexiteek 3 decking, he will push the limits of both his vessel and Flexiteek’s performance in the most demanding real-world conditions. All while enjoying and exploring the sights of the world together with his wife.
Who is Philippe Merceron?
Philippe Merceron has built a remarkable life around sailing and his maritime adventures. Over the years, he has embarked on expeditions, including a three-year sabbatical with his family, navigating the seas on a 55-foot catamaran. Following this, he spent over five years operating charters aboard a 57-foot catamaran across the Caribbean. Solidifying his reputation as an experienced and passionate sailor. His dedication to life at sea has made him a well-respected figure in the sailing community.
In recent years, Merceron founded Cat & GO, a company specialising in the sale of cruising catamarans. At the end of 2024, he sold the company, ready to embrace a new chapter. He will embark on his retirement adventure aboard a Fountaine Pajot Tanna catamaran.
He will be at the Multihull Boat Show, moored from April 24th to 27th, before starting his latest adventure.
The Upcoming Voyage: Setting Sail for Adventure
Philippe’s journey will officially set sail at the International Multihull Show, held in La Grande-Motte, France. His Fountaine Pajot Tanna catamaran will be proudly on display from April 24–27. This marks the beginning of an extraordinary new chapter – one that blends exploration, innovation, and personal passion.
Following the show, Philippe and his wife will depart on a global sailing expedition that will span continents and cultures. Their route will start from the French coastline. They will continue on to remarkable destinations. For example, Montenegro, the historic Corinth Canal, and onward to the distant shores of New Zealand. Each stop along the way will offer new experiences, challenges, and opportunities to test the performance of Flexiteek 3 decking in diverse maritime environments.
This voyage is more than just a retirement dream. It’s a bold undertaking that showcases Philippe’s lifelong love for sailing, his adventurous spirit, and his commitment to quality and sustainability at sea. As he navigates through international waters, we’ll be sharing regular updates on his progress. This includes behind-the-scenes insights and first-hand reports on how Flexiteek 3 performs in real-world, long-distance cruising conditions.
Bonaventura’s Role in the Expedition
To prepare Philippe’s Fountaine Pajot Tanna catamaran for the journey ahead, Bonaventura – one of our main distributors and installers in France – expertly fitted the vessel with Flexiteek 3 decking. Operating out of their state-of-the-art workshop in La Rochelle, Bonaventura’s workshop is fully equipped to manufacture custom panels using professional thermo-welding techniques.
Every stage of the process – from precision cutting and hand assembly to meticulous finishing – is carried out by skilled craftsmen to ensure a flawless fit and finish. Their attention to detail not only guarantees a premium result but also minimises vessel downtime, allowing owners to get back on the water sooner. For Philippe’s catamaran, Bonaventura’s team delivered nothing short of excellence. They ensured the decking was perfectly tailored for both performance and durability on this global voyage.
Flexiteek’s Contribution to the Mission
Flexiteek stands at the forefront of marine innovation as a leading provider of sustainable synthetic decking solutions, offering a premium alternative to traditional teak. Engineered for modern sailing demands, Flexiteek 3 delivers a unique combination of aesthetics, performance, and environmental responsibility. This makes it the ideal choice for discerning sailors like Philippe Merceron.
Selected specifically for Philippe’s Fountaine Pajot Tanna catamaran, Flexiteek 3 was chosen not only for its sleek, wood-like appearance but for its proven performance under the most demanding conditions. The decking offers a superior grip, even in wet conditions, and is exceptionally durable, withstanding constant exposure to sun, saltwater, and high foot traffic. Its low-maintenance nature ensures that Philippe and his wife can focus on enjoying their voyage, rather than spending time on upkeep.
What truly sets Flexiteek 3 apart is its advanced material composition. Designed with bio-attributed PVC and phthalate-free plasticisers, it significantly reduces environmental impact. Enabling a carbon footprint up to 80% lower than traditional fossil-based PVC. Unlike other synthetic alternatives, Flexiteek 3 is derived in part from sustainably sourced, non-fossil feedstocks, supporting a greener future for the marine industry.
Performance-wise, Flexiteek 3 outperforms other synthetic decking in thermal testing, cooling up to 30% faster. It is also UV-stabilised, offering outstanding colour retention over time, ensuring the decking retains its premium look year after year. The lifelike wood-grain texture and colour options replicate the natural beauty of teak, enhancing the visual appeal of any vessel without the environmental drawbacks.
By choosing Flexiteek 3, Philippe is not only investing in top-tier performance and safety but also aligning with a brand committed to sustainability, innovation, and long-term value. As his global voyage unfolds, Flexiteek will stand the test of time and the elements.
A Journey to Watch
As Philippe’s journey unfolds, his expedition will showcase the rewards of long-term sailing, highlighting the innovation, sustainability, and adventure involved along the way.
For those eager to follow his progress, regular updates will be shared. Check back on Flexiteek Blogs or follow Flexiteek and Bonaventura Yachting on Facebook and Instagram. Discover insights into his experiences, destinations, and the performance of Flexiteek 3 decking in real-world conditions.
ABOUT FLEXITEEK INTERNATIONAL
Flexiteek has been creating beautifully engineered synthetic decking and marine products since 2000.
The first-generation Flexiteek product set the standard in synthetic decking, and the revolutionary second-generation product that launched in 2014 provided many enhanced, market-leading benefits.
In 2024, the new Dame Award-nominated third-generation Flexiteek product established a new standard in synthetic decking. The new range is made using a bio-attributed PVC, removing fossil-fuel based PVC for the first time. Flexiteek 3 has enhanced heat performance and all the usual leading benefits you have come to expect from Flexiteek.
Flexiteek 3 is available in five colours, including an exciting new Ash option. There are also six dark wood and monochrome colours available. There are up to three caulking colours to select from, cool white, contemporary grey and traditional black.
Part of the Flexiteek Group, Wilks marine fendering products have been produced in the UK for over 50 years. Wilks have a wide range of fendering options available and renowned customer service from the UK-based sales team.
For more information about our products, visit:
Flexiteek – https://www.flexiteek.com
Wilks – https://www.wilks.co.uk
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