Tiwal (company)
French sailboat manufacturer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tiwal is a French sailboat manufacturer that manufactures inflatable sailing dinghies used for sport and leisure. It is headquartered in Plescop, France and also has a subsidiary in the USA.[1][2][3]
 | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sailboat manufacturing |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Marion Excoffon, Emmanuel Bertrand |
| Headquarters | Plescop, France |
| Website | tiwal.com |
History
Founder Marion Excoffon developed the design for Tiwal's inflatable dinghies when her father refused to lend her his houseboat in 2008.[4][5] Using her design, she founded Tiwal with her partner Emmanuel Bertrand in Theix-Noyalo in August 2012 before the company eventually moved operations into a warehouse in Plescop.[1][4] Tiwal unveiled its first sailboat at the 2012 Paris Boat Show.[6][7][8][9] It was also exhibited at the Annapolis Boat Show.[7][8]
Tiwal established a subsidiary in the United States in 2014.[10] It also exhibited the Tiwal 3.2 at the 2014 London Boatshow.[11]
Tiwal participated in the 2018 Annapolis Boat Show.[8] The company also presented the Tiwal 2 at the Boot Düsseldorf boat show in 2018.[12] A Tiwal sailboat was also exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in the same year.[13]
Since 2015, Tiwal has also hosted the Tiwal Cup, a regatta using Tiwal inflatable dinghies, in the Gulf of Morbihan in Brittany.[14][7] Tiwal has also held Tiwal Cups in New Zealand.[15]
Economic development
Design
Tiwal uses drop-stitch technology hulls which, after high-pressure inflation, provide a highly rigid structure. All hulls feature a patented hydrodynamic V-shaped hull[18], designed to enhance performance and manoeuvrability in different sailing conditions. The sails are developed in partnership with North Sails, an international sail manufacturer[19].
Model launch history
Technical specifications
| Model | Tiwal 3 | Tiwal 3R | Tiwal 2 | Tiwal 2L | Tiwal 2XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length overall | 11' (3.35m) | 11' (3.35m) | 9'8" (2.95m) | 11'4" (3.45m) | 13' (3.95m) |
| Beam | 5'4" (1.62m) | 5'4" (1.62m) | 4'11" (1.50m) | 4'11" (1.50m) | 5'2" (1.56m) |
| Draft | 2'5" (75cm) | 2'5" (75cm) | 2'5" (75cm) | 2'5" (75cm) | 2'5" (75cm) |
| Weight | 110 lb (50 kg) | 121 lb (55 kg) | 90 lb (40 kg) | 103 lb (47kg) | 120 lb (54kg) |
| Height overall | 17'8" (5.40m) | 17'8" (5.40m) | 17'8" (5.40m) | 17'8" (5.40m) | 17'8" (5.40m) |
| Mast height | 16'1" (4.90m) | 16'1" (4.90m) | 16'1" (4.90m) | 16'1" (4.90m) | 16'1" (4.90m) |
| Inflatable hull dimensions | 10'6" x 4'6" (3.20m x 1.36m) | 10'6" x 4'6" (3.20m x 1.36m) | 9'2" x 4'11" (2.80m x 1.50m) | 10'10" x 4'11" (3.30m x 1.50m) | 12'6" x 5'2" (3.80m x 1.56m) |
| Hull pressure | 11 psi | 11 psi | 11 psi / 3 psi | 11 psi / 3 psi | 11 psi / 3 psi |
| Sail area | 56 to 75ft² (5.2 to 7.2m²) | 67 to 77 ft² (6.2 to 7.2m²) | 52 to 64ft² (4.8 to 6m²) | 56 to 75ft² (5.2 to 7.2m²) | 75 to 97ft² (7 to 9m²) + jib 21ft² (2m²) |
| Max capacity | 2 adults | 2 adults | 1 adult | 2 adults | 3 adults |
| Production years | 2012 - present | 2022 - present | 2019 - present | 2022 - present | 2025 - present |
| Boats built[30][31] | 2600[32] | 200[32] | 300[32] | 250[32] | - |
| MFG | Europe | Europe | Europe | Europe | Europe |
| Transport | 2 bags | 2 bags + 1 sail bag | 2 bags | 2 bags | 2 bags + 1 sail bag |
| Assembly time | 20 minutes | 25 minutes | 15 minutes | 15 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Description | inflatable sailing dinghy for versatile use - solo or duo | inflatable sailing dinghy for sporting use - single or duo | inflatable sailing dinghy for recreational use - solo | inflatable sailing dinghy for recreational use - solo or duo | inflatable sailing dinghy for recreational use - family |