Zeppelin apparel and caps from the French RIB builder

1985: The Zeppelin yard is founded
Le Lude: Workshops in the Sarthe since 2006
Hypalon: Neoprene tubes bonded on site

The story of the brand

RIBs first designed for professional crews

Zeppelin was founded in 1985. The yard started by designing RIBs for professional crews at sea. Three demands shaped these first boats: toughness, unsinkability and a fit with the mission. In 1994, Zeppelin opened its production to private boaters, with the same specifications.

In 2006, the company moved to Le Lude, in the Sarthe region, far from the coast. The new workshops were built for bonding the tubes, which are cut on site from Hypalon neoprene. Each boat is assembled to order, with the length and layout chosen by its future owner.

In 2019, Zeppelin delivered its first aluminium hull RIB to the SNSM rescue station in Granville. This 6.98 metre boat was designed by the Nantes naval architecture firm Pierre Delion. Today, the yard builds RIBs for fishing, diving and cruising, as well as boats for professional crews. Its logo also appears on a line of apparel and accessories.

Key dates

1985 Zeppelin is founded, building RIBs for professional crews
1994 First Zeppelin RIBs built for private boaters
2019 First aluminium hull Zeppelin RIB delivered to the SNSM

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything about the brand

Where are Zeppelin RIBs made?

Zeppelin RIBs are made in France, in Le Lude, in the Sarthe region. The yard has been based there since 2006, in workshops set up for bonding the tubes.

The tubes are made on site from Hypalon neoprene. Each boat is then assembled to order.

How long has Zeppelin been building RIBs?

Zeppelin was founded in 1985. The yard first designed RIBs for professional crews at sea, with three demands: toughness, unsinkability and a fit with the mission.

Since 1994, Zeppelin has also built boats for private owners. They follow the same specifications as the professional models.

Which Zeppelin RIB was designed for the SNSM?

In 2019, Zeppelin delivered its first aluminium hull RIB to the SNSM rescue station in Granville. The boat is 6.98 metres long and was designed by the Nantes firm Pierre Delion.

The hull was built by a yard in Granville. Zeppelin managed the project, fitted the tubes and handled the layout. Aluminium was chosen because it resists impacts against rocks.

Zeppelin, a French RIB builder

Zeppelin is a French boatyard. It designs and builds inflatable boats and rigid inflatable boats, or RIBs. The company started in 1985 and first built boats for professional crews at sea. Those customers wanted a boat that was tough, unsinkable and fit for their job. These demands are still the base of every Zeppelin model.

Zeppelin also builds for private owners, to the same specifications. The brand designs these boats for fishing, diving and family trips on the water. Each boat is built to order. The future owner picks the length, the console and the finish.

Bonded tubes and custom builds

The Zeppelin yard works in Le Lude, in the Sarthe region of France. Its workshops are set up for bonding the tubes. Every boat is made in France. The tubes are cut and assembled on site from Hypalon neoprene fabric. This material holds up well against weather and wear.

Zeppelin also works with aluminium for professional use. An aluminium hull takes impacts against rocks better. The brand therefore offers an aluminium hull range for professional crews. The SNSM, the French sea rescue service, received one of these boats in 2019 for its station in Granville, Normandy.

Zeppelin sums up its design approach in four points:

A tough build, made for heavy use.
Compliance with the unsinkability standard.
A boat suited to its mission or its program.
Tubes made in the yard's own workshops.

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An expert & passionate team

Zeppelin: apparel, caps and beanies

RIBs first designed for professional crews

Key dates

Products

Polo Zeppelin

Polo Zeppelin

Sweat Zeppelin

Sweat Zeppelin

Long Sleeve UPF50+ Zeppelin

Long Sleeve UPF50+ Zeppelin

T-shirt Zeppelin

T-shirt Zeppelin

Tour de cou Zeppelin

Bonnet Zeppelin

Casquette Zeppelin

Everything about the brand

Where are Zeppelin RIBs made?

How long has Zeppelin been building RIBs?

Which Zeppelin RIB was designed for the SNSM?