Founded in 1963 by four partners, Sportmer is the yachting specialist I turn to in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. It covers private yacht hire, yacht sales, technical maintenance and concierge assistance, all under one name.
The charter fleet features Riva, Pershing, Mangusta, Leopard, Saxdor and VanDutch yachts, from day cruisers to superyachts. The larger ones sleep up to 12 guests, with 3 to 4 cabins. The Saxdor 400 GTO, a 2025 model for up to 10 guests, is well suited to day trips along the Riviera. Two brokers, Stanislas Richardot and Stéphane Cazes, deal with enquiries about hire and sales.
Sportmer runs its own shipyard in the gulf and looks after boats from the mechanics to the upholstery, either at the quay or under a hangar. Its refit and repair work, paint and varnish included, is said to be well regarded along the Mediterranean coast. Winter storage, guarding and engine repair are available close to the bay. Mooring rings can be rented in Saint-Tropez, Sainte-Maxime, Port Grimaud and the Marines de Cogolin for boats of 8 metres and over. Sportmer manages the berth and liaises with the harbour office on the owner's behalf. Its pontoon is open to visiting boats, with extra services to keep a yacht ready to sail.
Pre-owned yachts are also for sale, among them Cigarette offshore boats, Pershing, Riva and Magnum, and owners can have their own used boat valued and sold through the firm. In the 1980s, a friendship with the offshore racer Don Aronow brought American Cigarette boats to Saint-Tropez. The website is available in English and French.
