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A passion born on the water
Seb's beginnings
Seb started sailing as a child, in sailing schools along France’s Atlantic coast. He later discovered cruising in the Mediterranean on his family’s boat, a Jeanneau Sun Legend 41. Together, they explored the French Riviera, Corsica, and even the Balearic Islands.
A calling that grew strong
Passionate from the start, Seb seized every opportunity to sail and soon turned to racing. At 20, he left preparatory classes to follow his vocation. He became an instructor at Les Glénans, then a Yachtmaster Instructor at Hamble School of Yachting in the UK.
Private skipper and delivery captain
Challenging and varied missions
After several years of teaching and deliveries in Northern Europe, Seb became a private skipper aboard Yellowdrama IV, a Swan 57.
For nearly a decade, he sailed extensively across the Mediterranean, English Channel, North Sea, Caribbean, Baltic, United States, and even the Azores. He also oversaw a full refit in Ipswich.
Long-distance sailing, always with a teaching spirit
He later joined more ambitious deliveries — including a five-month voyage from the U.S. to South Korea via the Panama Canal, Hawaii, and Japan.
He also worked as first mate aboard 38- and 40-meter superyachts. But Seb remained loyal to a more hands-on, purposeful style of sailing — aboard simpler boats he knows inside out and maintains himself.
Sophie, a career change guided by passion
From restaurant management to life at sea
In 2015, Sophie discovered sailing in Saint Barthélemy. It was love at first sight. The following year, she joined Seb aboard Yellowdrama in Portugal, working as cook, stewardess, and crew member.
Previously a restaurant manager in New York, she brought her hospitality skills to life on board.
First long journeys
Together, they crossed the Atlantic and lived aboard for a year and a half, sailing through the Caribbean, the U.S., the Azores, and England.
Building skills, together
Training and crossings
In 2017, Sophie began instructor training with Les Glénans. A few months later, she delivered a Tayana 54 from Japan to Seattle while Seb continued his professional sailings.
They eventually reunited in Estonia to bring Yellowdrama back to the UK.
A life at sea, side by side
Louise, a new chapter
That same year, they joined Louise, a 72-foot sailboat, and sailed to Cuba, the Bahamas, and the U.S. East Coast.
Repatriation during the pandemic
After overseeing a refit in Newport, they were at sea when the COVID-19 crisis hit.
They became stranded in Sint Maarten before organizing the boat’s return to Europe. Once back in Brittany, they sailed to Scotland, then to Concarneau for a second refit.
Mama Beluga , a family project
One boat, three kids, a thousand adventures
During this time, they bought their own sailboat: Mama Beluga, a Bénéteau Oceanis 473. Their first child was born, and they left their position aboard Louise to move aboard full time.
They set sail when Charlie was just two months old. Today, they have three children and live aboard in French Polynesia.
Along the way, they’ve exploredMadeira, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean, Venezuela, Bonaire, Aruba and Curaçao, Colombia, the San Blas Islands and Panama, the Galápagos, and the archipelagos of French Polynesia.
Above all, it’s a human adventure
Why this page?
We wanted to share more than just technical expertise — to give you a glimpse into our journey, our choices, and what drives us.
Sailing has been our life for the past two decades, and we created Mama Beluga to pass on that experience with honesty and heart.
Want to know more?
We’d be happy to chat with you about your sailing project, no matter where you are in the process.
Whether you’re dreaming of a round-the-world voyage or looking for your very first sailboat, we’re here to help you take the next step.
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