The Daoust-Leboeuf tandem works together

A new team of hydroplane builders

Denis Bourbonnais – Journal Saint-François

The members of the hydroplane racing circuit can now count on a new team to build and repair hydroplanes.

(Photo : Pierre Langevin)

Jacques Daoust and Jean-Guy Leboeuf are the main partners in the business and become a new players in hydroplane building.  These Valleyfield residents become the third Canadian constructor in this business along with Claude Bergeron and Bert Henderson who have built boats for decades.  The new builders have been working since about a month ago in their large shop located on Ste-Marie Street in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.  They have already received an order to build two Hydro350 hulls in partnership with Les Regates de Valleyfield for 2012.  Stephane Carrier will be the driver and co-owner of one boat and the other will be owned by Jean-Guy Leboeuf.  The construction of the third H350 hull is planned for 2013 and Mathieu Daoust, son of Jacques, will be the driver.

The idea behind Les Conceptions Daoust-Leboeuf was born when Jean-Guy Leboeuf had some discussions with the Valleyfield Regatta organization about building new boats.  Jacques Daoust was looking for a place to store his son’s 2.5L hydroplane and the project came to life.  Jacques Daoust proposed that he front the money for the new venture. “I engaged myself financially in order to help Jean-Guy who has good experience in hydroplane construction. I learn every day and I want to contribution to the sport that my family has just adopted.” said Jacques Daoust.

For Jean-Guy Leboeuf, who built his first 2.5L hull entirely out of composite materials in 2008, it is simply a continuation.  After gaining experience while building his own wooden boat back in 1991, the son of Jules Leboeuf assembled a Bergeron kit which with he raced during 10+ years.  Last summer, Jean-Guy Leboeuf completely restored the former Zoomerang acquired by Sylvain Dorais.  “I will be able to work full time on what I was already doing.” told Leboeuf who made a lot of repairs on different boats over the last few years.  Also, on top of the new hull to deliver at the end of May 2012, the “Daoust-Leboeuf” shop welcomed 4 other boats which need to be refreshed.

New passion

The new business creates three new jobs and will work along with some volunteer help in order to build affordable hydroplanes. “We give ourselves a little salary, but we will not become rich with this’” admited Daoust. “We are doing this more for the passion of the sport and to guarantee a future for our kids who desire to drive.  We also want to make entry viable for everybody.” he explained.  Mathieu Daoust will start his 2^nd year in 2.5L and Mikael Leboeuf’s son will make his debut in 1.5L at the wheel of the former CT-7 Soresto Racing bought from Mathieu Lemelin.

The builders are actually busy designing the molds in order to fabricate two Hydro350 boats which are worth $40,000 each.  Jean-Guy Leboeuf thinks that it will take about 4 months to complete the boats which will have to be ready for the Long Sault Regatta in June.  The composite hulls are built out of fiberglass (60%), carbon fiber (20%), and Kevlar (20%).

“The two boats will be identical and will sort of be an extension of the 2.5L that I have done with new sponsons angle.  I have new ideas and we are going to develop our own product”, he said.

Jean-Guy Leboeuf does not see him in competition with the existing builders and he spoke of having a good relationship with Bert Henderson.  “I lent him my cockpit mold for the new boat he is building, in exchange for other service.” He said.

Even if they will mainly manufacture hydroplanes in the next months, the new businessman will not close the door to take on repair contracts for different types of boat.