AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT ON AN EXCEPTIONAL BOAT

In early June 2025, we had the privilege of sailing alongside Régis Vian and his daughter Clémence for a very special sea trial. The occasion: stepping aboard their brand-new JPK 10.50, hull #3 of the series, freshly launched and already equipped with our Exocet Essential system.

An experienced sailor, Régis is embarking on this new project with an ambitious program: double-handed racing in prestigious events such as the Armen Race, La Trinité–Cowes, and the Fastnet, with the Cap Martinique as the ultimate goal. A demanding program that called for an autopilot capable of combining reliability, responsiveness, and true helming intelligence.

A TEST SAIL IN IDEAL CONDITIONS

This first outing took place in perfect conditions to put the system to the test: 25 knots of true wind, sporty conditions that allowed the Exocet Essential to be trialed in a real-life, high-intensity setting.

The results exceeded expectations: the boat reached nearly 19 knots under autopilot, even under spinnaker. "It’s impressive! The pilot holds the boat, accelerates, and naturally seeks out speed with real fluidity," said Régis. "It’s really interesting, and I think it’s perfectly suited to the boat."

PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY PROVEN FROM THE VERY FIRST SAIL

From this maiden outing, Exocet Essential demonstrated its ability to:

  • Steer accurately, even in strong wind 
  • Optimize acceleration and naturally chase speed
  • Carry out maneuvers smoothly
  • Offer simple, intuitive handing

The tone was set: the combination of the JPK 10.50 and Exocet Essential promises outstanding sailing performance.

HANDS-ON SUPPORT THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE

At Pixel sur Mer, we provide full support to make system handover as smooth as possible. "It’s a system that offers a lot of possibilities. You need to learn how to use it properly from the start to get the most out of it," explains Régis. "Hugo spent the whole day with me on board, which was extremely helpful. Having that kind of support really makes a difference."

This field-based approach—combining technical expertise with onboard presence—allows skippers to quickly master the subtleties of the system and unlock its full potential from the very first sails.

FEEDBACK THAT CONFIRMS OUR AMBITIONS

This direct and authentic feedback is invaluable for our teams. It validates the design choices behind Exocet Essential and strengthens our ambition: to deliver a system that combines high performance with ease of use, becoming a true teammate on board.

This collaboration with Régis Vian perfectly illustrates our vision: designing solutions that support skippers with fluidity, relevance, and efficiency. Now, Régis is setting out to sea with his JPK 10.50 and Exocet Essential, and we are proud to be part of this new adventure!

A privileged moment, among sailing enthusiasts, that shows when technical expertise meets sailing passion, the results live up to the highest ambitions.