At the beginning of the project, Laurent Petit, who, as his surname does not indicate at all, is measuring a good 1.90 m. Our man, in his early fifties, looks big and strong when he presents his Guiclemanac'h - we spare you the meaning of this bizarre Breton sounding name, just know that it is an assembly of the beginning of first names. However, his cane, which he has just placed against the bow, betrays his pathology: a degenerative neurological disease that reduces his physical capacities. In concrete terms, Laurent can no longer sail alone on a "normal" sailboat because he no longer has the possibility to walk on a deck, especially if it is heeled.
A sailboat adapted to its handicap
Hard for a guy who has been sailing for more than 10 years... This former geologist and physics teacher trained in the Glénans, passed his coastal and offshore licences, his Captain 200 before being employed as chief of the ship. Until 2013, he was able to sail beautifully: Granville/Cadix, Tunisia/Malta... Then, as the handicap came, Laurent tried to find a suitable sailboat. A reflection that is a problem concerning many sailors, often elderly, or accompanying a physically diminished person.
Nothing that does not correspond in current production
In his search, the skipper was interested in Eric Henseval's Souriceau before trying his more habitable older brother, the Aviator. Verdict: "too physical! And besides, I'm tall...". Laurent loves the Miniji, but it is of course impossible to live on board this tiny pocket keelboat. Anyway, our man is looking for the five-legged sheep a little bit. "Or even six," he said.
A tailor-made boat
Progressively, Laurent draws sketches. The idea of designing your sailboat is gaining ground. On the Net, discover the Boat and Koad site that will design his project. All that remained was to find a manufacturer himself who was strong enough to finalize all the constraints. Alexandre Badri, based in the Arcachon Basin, was present. With ingenious ideas to adapt to this particular request: the tiller that goes under the removable cockpit to save space inside, which controls both rudders via lines. The dampening system that can be handled from the inside using a tube or the manoeuvring box with built-in pull-out - with tube connected to the daggerboard to drain the water - are all "homemade" ideas.
Ideas for adapting to navigation
The boat is full of tricks to limit the effort: too physical to start a thermal outboard? Instead of the electric motor with remote controls, a solid battery park - 2 x 165 amps - which supports the lead ballast in the bottom. The kitchen unit can be transformed into a chart table, strong enough to support Laurent's supports. A solar panel to power everything... "I plan to be able to stay on board for a week in total autonomy," explains Laurent.
The problem of port manoeuvres
While the short cockpit has been designed to facilitate boarding from the stern, "there is only one problem left to solve, it is the management of mooring lines", notes the skipper. And that is the only reason why Laurent is not yet sailing alone. With ten outings despite a particularly hostile winter on the Bassin d'Arcachon, he made his mark: it was up to him to manage the halyards and adjustments, his crewman to manage the helm - or rather one of the two small outer bars.
Comfortable and efficient navigation
Well covered - mainsail of 12.5 m2, staysail of 4 m2 and yankee of 5.80 m2 -, Guiclemanac'h starts as soon as the first breezes start and quickly sets off at its hull speed of 5 knots. The course is good since the angle of ascent is 90° from one side to the other.
During our test at the end of February, a 15-knot icy wind sweeps across the deserted lake. Laurent takes two reefs, we convince him to release one... A bit of a heel - normal for such a small hull - Guiclemanac'h is calling for a reduction in sail speed from 12 knots of wind, especially as the recall is not on the agenda. The short length results in a plug effect in the short chop, without really slowing the boat down, which relaunches very quickly.
Protected navigation
Comfort is there for you. Laurent is always perfectly seated inside and... warm! And he has the possibility, thanks to the large downhill panel, to stand up, just to get some fresh air. A pleasure he can enjoy alone since the autopilot is connected to the inner bar. At the port, Laurent likes to sleep on board with his small auxiliary heater. The Guiclemanac'h program will be double or solo cabotage, mainly in South Brittany.
Guiclemanac'h is a perfect illustration of the know-how of small shipyards: imagining an accessible custom-made sailboat and having it built is possible!
