THE ART OF NAUTICAL PAINTING, TESTIMONIAL FROM ANTOINE VICOMTE

Behind every beautifully finished boat lies a team of dedicated experts who bring precision, skill, and passion to their craft. Among them is Antoine Vicomte, a painter at Iguana Yachts, who has been perfecting his technique for over eight years. From his early fascination with painting to mastering the art of nautical finishes, Antoine shares his journey, the challenges of painting boats compared to cars, and his relentless pursuit of excellence.

Discover in the following interview his meticulous work at Iguana Yachts.

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF

“Since childhood, I have always been passionate about painting. I used to paint my toy cars and remote-controlled vehicles, an activity that fascinated me even back then. Even today, I continue to paint at home. I primarily use spray paint or a paint gun to achieve a smooth, high-quality finish. Brushes and rollers tend to leave visible streaks and attract dust more easily, which is why I avoid them.
This profession is particularly satisfying and calming, especially when you witness the transformation before and after painting a boat. I pursued a CAP in Bodywork and a CAP in Painting in Normandy. Two months after obtaining my diplomas, I joined Iguana after being contacted by a recruitment agency. Today, I am the longest-serving member of the team, having joined the company in October 2017. I have now been painting boats for eight years.”

“The first Iguana model I discovered was the Iguana Original. I was very surprised by the concept of a boat with tracks, but I immediately found it fascinating. I was eager to understand how it worked, and once I saw it in action on the beach, it all made perfect sense.”

AUTOMOTIVE VS. NAUTICAL PAINTING: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES?

“The main difference between automotive and nautical painting lies in the materials used. Cars are generally made of plastic, steel, and sheet metal, whereas boat hulls are made of carbon fiber. However, the tools used for both are largely the same.

Today, painting a boat takes us about two weeks, whereas it used to take three and a half weeks. We have optimized our working methods.”

“With the growing demand for our boats, we have replaced manual sanding with a sander, improving efficiency. First, we apply a layer of black aerosol paint to the hull. This helps us detect defects after sanding, allowing us to correct them more easily. Generally, four of us work on this task, while a fifth team member focuses on details and consoles.”

A QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE

“I am happy to work in the nautical industry because it requires greater technical expertise and a higher level of attention to detail. Compared to automotive painting, where surfaces are smaller and more limited, boats demand a more meticulous finishing process.

Although I love painting boats, the color palette can sometimes feel repetitive. Around 50% of our orders are in white, followed by gray, black, and blue.”

“The time required depends on the model: RIBs are relatively quick to paint, while Iguana Sport and Iguana Commuter take longer due to their taller hulls and the additional work required to paint the connection between the hull and the deck. These advanced finishes can take up to two extra days of work to achieve perfection.“

This job demands a high level of precision, both in painting and surface preparation. Protecting different parts of the boat is essential, especially during touch-ups. I particularly enjoy painting the seats; their varied shapes allow us to observe the paint stretching as it dries, resulting in a smooth and uniform finish.

Antoine Vicomte, Painter

A UNITED TEAM STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE

“The painting team is highly efficient and closely bonded. There is a strong sense of camaraderie among us, and even after years of experience, we continue to share knowledge and help each other improve. Our leader, who has even more experience in the field, guides us and provides valuable expertise.

I would love to take further training, especially in finishing techniques, as this is a field I am truly passionate about. Creating Iguana logos using an airbrush is a technical challenge that would allow us to push the quality and refinement of our boat finishes even further.”

From left to right: Damien, Antoine, David (leader), Florent & Naqui

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