Romain Motteau, former deputy CEO of Fountaine Pajot Group, has reached an agreement in principle with PPF Group to acquire its nautical charter and booking companies Dream Yacht Charter, Navigare Yachting and SamBoat, alongside a group of investment partners.
Motteau stepped down from Fountaine Pajot Group in July 2026 after more than 20 years at the firm. He has since joined Dream Yacht and Navigare Yachting as chief development officer, with the news announced at Cannes 2026.
Subject to the finalisation of agreements between the stakeholders and the necessary authorisations, the PPF charter acquisition could be completed before the end of 2026. If completed, the new group will operate one of the largest yacht charter fleets in the world.
PPF Group is an international investment company with a presence in 25 countries. It entered the boating sector in 2021 and subsequently brought together a number of complementary businesses under a single platform, including Dream Yacht Charter, Navigare Yachting and SamBoat.
The deal will see new ownership for the three businesses.
Dream Yacht Charter was founded in the Seychelles in 2000 by Loïc Bonnet and has grown into one of the world’s leading charter and sailing holiday businesses, offering charter and cruising options as well as charter management programmes.
Navigare Yachting was founded in 2001 by Jesper Rönngard and Per Abrahamsson. The international yacht charter and charter management business has a longstanding focus on service quality and support for boat owners.
SamBoat was founded in Bordeaux in 2014 by Laurent Calando and Nicolas Cargou. The digital boat rental platform lists more than 36,400 boats across 75 countries.
“PPF Group regularly reviews its portfolio to ensure capital is directed where the group sees the strongest long-term potential. Beyond that, we do not comment on the performance of individual holdings,” Leos Rousek, head of PPF Group Corporate Communications, tells MIN. “Regarding the nautical charter operations, PPF has entered into an agreement on their acquisition with a consortium led by industry veteran Romain Motteau.”
He adds: “PPF is in the process of divesting its nautical and marine assets, comprising charter and manufacturing operations, including the boat builder Robertson and Caine.”
Motteau says the acquisition would build on the businesses’ development under PPF’s ownership.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to bring new momentum to these leading brands, alongside our partners and drawing on our collective experience. Over twenty-five years, Loïc Bonnet has built a remarkable entrepreneurial story,” he says. “Together with the group’s teams, our responsibility today is to build on that legacy, establish the new group as a leading player in nautical tourism and support its long-term development.”
Motteau said changing customer behaviour was creating opportunities for the three businesses.
“The way people engage with boating is changing. More and more customers want the freedom to sail without necessarily owning a boat: greater simplicity and flexibility, and the ability to explore different destinations from one holiday to the next. With their complementary models, the three brands are particularly well positioned to respond to these changing customer preferences.”
He said relationships with customers, boat owners, shipyards and financial partners would be important to the new group.
“Meeting this challenge will require commitment from all of us. Trust between the new group’s brands, boat owners and charter customers, our shipyard partners and financial partners will be essential to our success,” says Motteau.
Motteau also identified service quality as a priority.
“This new chapter will be guided by a simple priority: quality of service. That means the quality of the experience we provide to our customers, whether through yacht charter or cabin cruises, as well as the quality of the support we provide to owners and the care of the yachts entrusted to us under our charter management programmes,” adds Motteau.
The proposed transaction remains subject to the finalisation of agreements between the stakeholders and the necessary authorisations. The value of the transaction has not been disclosed.
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