The Russian frigate Shtandart stands by the quayside, in the Basin des Chalutiers. Picking up passengers, for a cruise north.
Forlorn, against the opposite wall, lies ex ocean racer Kriter Vlll. At the end of a blind alley of design. Up for sale.
Her aluminium hull is rapier slim. Stability is derived from a deep and heavy keel.
She was outrun by fresh design thinking. The coming of the lightweight surface skimmers. First, the trimarans. Mike Birch's Olympus Photo leading the charge ( See For The Record ). Then, the scow bowed monohulls, like this trio of Classe Minis. Finally, the IMOCA foilers. Keels light (or non existent, in the case of the tris), their stability derived from hull form or foils.
The same design direction which is the inspiration for RM's colourful cruising creations.
At the other end of the performance spectrum, lie the Fountaine Pajot 'condo' cats. The motor sailors of the twenty first century. Built for space and comfort, rather than for speed.
It is a popular recipe. To judge by the clusters of catamarans, being commissioned, in the basin, by the La Rochelle yard.
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