Grand Pavois puts refits and electric conversions on show
The Grand Pavois boat show opens in La Rochelle on 22 September 2026. A dedicated area with 40 exhibitors covers refitting older boats and swapping combustion engines for electric or hybrid drives.
Events NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH
Grand Pavois La Rochelle runs from 22 to 27 September 2026 at Port des Minimes, a six day show held afloat. Japan is guest of honour this year. Two areas are new: Sortez en mer offers visitors short trips on sailing and motor boats, and a second area is devoted to tourism on the water.
For owners of older boats another part of the show matters more. According to the organiser, 40 companies and start ups exhibit in the Eco navigation and sustainable innovations area, on land and afloat, with some boats available for sea trials. Refitting is a growing focus there: yards that overhaul older cruising and racing boats, specialists who replace a combustion engine with an electric or hybrid drive, lower impact antifouling and the dismantling of boats at the end of their life. The organiser links this to the price of new boats and to longevity, putting the average life of a pleasure boat in Europe at 30 to 40 years.
In practice, anyone planning to keep and modernise a boat will find in one place what is otherwise spread across many yards. On Thursday 24 September 2026 the Trophées Innovation Nautisme Nouvelle Aquitaine, awards for boating innovation, are also presented at the show. The sources give different figures for expected visitor numbers, so none is quoted here.
What this means for owners
From an insurance point of view, replacing a diesel with an electric drive is a change to the boat, not a new accessory. A new motor, lithium batteries and fresh wiring alter the value, the fire load and the installation, so the questions to put to your insurer come before the first trip: does the conversion need to be declared, which documents from the yard are expected, and does the agreed value still match the boat. Older sailing yachts and motor boats with inboard engines are most affected, while outboard and trailer boats are usually simpler. Because lithium batteries and new wiring change the fire risk on board, the installer's paperwork deserves a careful look.
This paragraph is our view as an underwriting agency, not part of the news. What your own policy covers is written in your own terms; when in doubt, call us.
Where this comes from
- Grand Pavois La Rochelle: Pressemappe Espace Eco-navigation & Innovations durables (04.09.2026)
- Grand Pavois La Rochelle: Pressemappe Espace Sortez en mer (14.09.2026)
- Boat Industry: Grand Pavois La Rochelle 2026, l'expérience en mer au cœur des nouveaux espaces (05.06.2026)
- Pressmare: Sustainability and innovation at the heart of Grand Pavois La Rochelle (08.09.2026)
The text above is our own. The sources listed supplied the facts and the figures, not the wording.