Ad Lib 119

 

The walk, to Lorient La Base, is a scenic one. Along a gently undulating gravel coast path come cycle track.

Which leads from the boardwalk at Port Kernevel.

Along the banks of the river Ter. As it broadens, on entry to the tidal body, around which the various ports of Lorient cluster.

Crossing by a bridge, shared with a busy dual carriageway, at the head of the creek. Before diving back into sylvan shade, for the final approaches to La Base.

Today, I bypass the bustle and bonhomie of IMOCA Route du Rhum preparations.

Instead making for Thomas and Hugo's First 36. (See Ad Lib 117 & 102.) A boat far less ostentatious, about her relative performance potential, than her logo'd up neighbours.

Yet exuding a certain air of purpose. My opportunity, to climb aboard, for a close up inspection, has finally arrived.

The air of understatement continues in the cockpit. Which I find, to my great delight, allows a solo skipper to reach all sail controls from the twin wheels. Seated between mainsail and genoa winches, with traveller controls to hand. A feat matched by only one other boat, which I am aware of. The, tiller steered, JPK 39FC. Whose sheer size and long lead times (five years plus) count against her.

Below decks, it is a similar story. Clean, simple and ergonomically sound. With perhaps one exception: The heads makes no provision for a shower or even a proper wash basin. Ablutions must therefore be conducted in the galley sink. No hardship for a solo skipper, but potentially offputting in a family setting. 

This arrangement, however, buys space for a commodious saloon, complete with chart table. All three sleeping cabins are spacious. The master is forward - as I prefer, for reasons of stern wave slap. The two mirror image aft counterparts readily convert between sleeping and stowage. With a 3.8 metre beam carried to the transom, each is equally voluminous. The First 36 proves to be a thoroughly practical, planing, production boat.

Whether arriving on foot or by sea; Lorient La Base has treats in store for sightseeing sailors of all stripes. Be they cruisers, racers or something in between. But, with west winds soon to arrive, it is time for Stargazer to put in her westing.

Picture Credits

First 36 cockpit ergonomics courtesy of  No Frills Sailing (Whose, linked, First 36 review is well worth a read.)

First 36 saloon looking forward; courtesy of Beneteau

Ad Lib 118

 

Benjamin Schwartz steps quietly aboard Ultim Sodebo 3. As is the way of the skipper designate, for the 2028 Arkea Ultim Challenge (solo around the world). The man feted by skipper Thomas Coville, following their Trophee Jules Verne triumph, with unleashing the trimaran's hidden speed potential. Through his considered, data driven approach. The perfect compliment to Thomas' own ‘seat of the pants' style.

Following yesterday's test outing, more of the new "S" foils are on show. Seemingly the vertical section has developed a double curvature. . . . .

. . . . .which must vary the angle of the horizontal lift surface (orange) as it is raised or lowered. Perhaps to suit different wind strengths or sea states. Or, phases in the 'lift off' to ''cruising altitude' transition.

More certain, is that team Gitana 18 have finally received some good news. Smiles light faces.

Whilst, in the shadows below her overarching amas, a technician crouches in a RIB. Headtorch aglow, as new parts are fitted to the port foil. Its complexity (compared to Sodebo's equivalent) and similarity to the appendages of America's Cup boats, clearly visible.

On the quayside above, a plaque celebrates the achievements of Brit Ellen MacArthur. Who, in 2005, wrest the solo round the world sailing record from Francis Joyon.

Aboard a forerunner of the Ultim trimarans. To be feted by cheering crowds, Stargazer's skipper in their midst, upon her victorious return to Falmouth.

Ad Lib 117

Round the world foiling, Gitana 18 and Sodebo 3 style (see Ad Lib 116), comes with a price tag that is as stratospheric as the Ultims’ speeds. The more down-to-earth Class40 fleet redresses the financial balance within La Base. State of the art planing designs. Which have done much to influence the boats that we every day sailors put to sea in. FreeDom's bright livery looks suitably salt scoured. As well it might.

For Thibaut Lefevre (a Reunionaise skipper as colourful as his boat's paint job) is recently returned from racing her around the world, via the Great Capes (Good Hope, Leuuwin and Horn). In the Globe40 series.

Fellow competitor, the freshly scubbed Belgium Ocean Racing, is a new generation scow bow design. This year's Globe40 effectively spilt into two races. Such was the speed advantage, enjoyed by the scows over the 'pointus.' Albeit their skippers were, at times, compelled to wear crash hats and knee pads. So rough was the ride in a seaway.

Min River, winner of the Sydney-Hobart (double-handed), is Stargazer's berth buddy in Port Kernevel. A JPK 1030, built in the yard here. Her design philosophy strongly influenced by that of the Class40's. Although, for both ease of handling and affordability, a more manageable 35(ish) feet long.

As is her successor, the all conquering (along with the conceptually similar, Sam Manuard designed, Pogo RS) JPK 1050 (see Ad Lib 73). Which has kept pace with hull shape evolution amongst the Class40's. Both pure race boats. With the temparament of a thoroughbred stallion.

Eschewing the scow bow (principally for reasons of ride comfort, according to designer Sam Manuard) is the Beneteau First 36. A cruiser-racer capable of planing performance. A boat born with Class40 genes but made manageable for a short-handed or family crew. With sufficient creature comforts added, to enable cruising.

 Is the sales pitch. A boat which I described as a 'hot-hatch of the seas.' After a conversation with, the Lorient dwelling, Thomas and Hugo. (See Ad Lib 102.) Who own one. 

Peering from La Base's pontoons, at their boat, the cockpit and deck layout look to be short-handed sailing friendly. A welcome and unusual deviation from today's norm. 

Perhaps a result of Sam Manuard's penchant for short handed sailing. Tomorrow, I have been invited aboard for a full tour. To try the cockpit for size and to assess the below decks arrangements for practicality, aesthetics and quality.

Picture Credits

Sam Manuard taking line honours, aboard his pogo RC design, in the Cap Martinique; courtesy of Marc Marsillon.

Ad Lib 116

 

Ant-like, Gitana 18's acolytes swarm about the open expanses of her trampolines. Which are strung taut from the muscular amas (crossbeams). This latest and most radical, of the giant Ultim trimarans, is under pressure, to be race ready for November's Route du Rhum.

Launched on Valentine's Day, she was flight testing, off Groix when Stargazer saw her in June. Tuning the unique, hydraulically adjustable rig and foil controls. Not to mention her aerospace inspired rudders and super-sized lift surfaces.

As expected, teething troubles emerged during those sea trials. Robbing her of valuable testing time. Whilst her foils are replaced with stronger items. Her control rams upweighted.

Meanwhile, her nemesis, Sodebo 3, has undergone a spring refit. After the rigours of setting a new Trophee Jules Verne (non-stop round the world) record during the winter.

Last week, she was relaunched. With an upgraded foil package. Said to be "S" shaped. Although details, given the current Ultim arms race, are understandably scant.

Yesterday, Thomas Coville's preparateurs were commissioning the redesigned foil lift mechanisms.

This morning, Thomas slipped out to sea. Putting in some practice miles. His eye set on achieving both a Trophee Jules Verne and a Route du Rhum win,  in the same season. During, what could be, his retirement (from serious record setting) year.

 Whilst Gitana 18's skipper, Charles Caudrelier, is forced to forgo valuable familiarisation time. His cutting edge craft's performance potential, as yet, untapped. Her bearded Boat Captain (far right) pacing the deck. Waiting impatiently for their parts delivery.

Picture Credits

Sodebo on her record run. Aerial shot. Courtesy of Sodebo / Tropheee Jules Verne

Ad Lib 115

 Britain's Will Harris strides the deck, sorting sails, aboard the freshly launched IMOCA Mailzia 4. For she is about to face her inaugural competitive outing.

The Ocean Race. Which starts on the first of September, off New York's Statue of Liberty. With the finish in Lorient. As for many entrants, this is a prelude to November's Route du Rhum. Boris Herrmann will skipper both races. With crew for the former. Solo for the latter.

 Malizia 3 is also entered for the double header. Under her new name of Eleventh Hour Racing. Frankie Clapcich at the helm.

The boat in which Will and Frankie won last year's Cafe L'Or transatlantic race. During the post purchase handover period. Amongst the IMOCA's finest performances. 

I have entered the Aladdin's Cave at the heart of French Atlantic coast (for which read World) short-handed offshore racing. Where the major Ultim trimaran, IMOCA, Class40 and Figaro teams are headquartered. With Classe Mini 6.50's aplenty, on trailers ashore.

Lorient La Base. A cave in the literal sense. Being converted from the gaunt subterranean shelters of the former nazi submarine fleet.

Ad Lib 114

Stargazer noses into Lorient's Port Kernevel. Riding the tide past the Port Louis Citadel (background) and the silver sand beach. The day's breeze exhausted by its early exertions.

For, in the pre-dawn twilight, a robust eighteen knot easterly breeze greeted Stargazer, beyond Piriac's cill. Sending her romping west.

As the sun rises behind Ile Dumet

Quickly crossing Quiberon Bay to close the Ile de Houat.

Stargazer's favourite anchorage is deserted today. Requiring westerly weather for shelter.

The day warms, sapping the wind of its early morning vigour. Its impetus reduced still further by the need to run dead downwind.

To clear the Teignouse pass. Whose fast flowing tide compensates, to maintain Stargazer's speed. 

Once through, Stargazer comes up onto a reach. Her forward motion increasing the apparent wind once more. We race north along the Quiberon peninsula.

 By the time that Stargazer arrives off the Lorient Channel, a Figaro, out from La Base on race training, is barely moving. Even with the aid of a tennis court sized spinnaker.

Stargazer fires up the engine. The flat water allowing her skipper to make leisurely preparations for arrival, in the way of lines and fenders, whilst taking in the view.