Traditional sailing is a general name that includes pleasure, work or commercial boats, on the high seas, coastal waters, rivers or lakes.
The traditional sailboats, whether they are racing or working, are mostly made of wood and exclusively monohull.
The program: Navigating through time
They are called lugger, tuna boat, tidal chaser or Bermuda coast. But also ketch aurique, or Class J.I . These are what we call traditional sailing ships and they invite us to a historical journey. In the majority of cases, they are beautiful sailing ships, rich in a sometimes prestigious history and defined more by their soul than by the luxury that some of them can exude.
To fall for a traditional sailboat is to be part of a renovation or restoration process. Even if it is a historical replica, a wooden sailboat is loved, cherished and given all the sacrifices. And, if you spend more time maintaining and restoring it than sailing it, who cares? What matters is the happiness of keeping a heritage alive and the pleasure of giving it a bit of its soul.
Old working rig and classic sailboat
The old riggings are from a time when trade and fishing were done exclusively under sail. The term "old rigging" includes both large historical sailing ships (clippers), workboats (tuna boats), but also more modest boats (rowboats).
Festivals and nautical events ( Maritime Festivals of Brest This is a great opportunity to come and admire these hulls and wooden decks during their gatherings. There is a real popular craze for these sailing ships that are reborn and decorated with flags.
The classic sail is at the origins of yachting and the first regattas. Wealthy shipowners had prestigious racing boats built to take part in sporting challenges where conviviality reigned above all. This is how the America's Cup was born.
Today, for these amateurs, the spirit of yachting has not aged a bit and they meet up again during the famous Royal Regattas of Cannes or the Sails of Saint-Tropez .
From dream to reality
These boats are the stuff of dreams, they are part of the collective imagination. The posters of Pen Duick that adorn living rooms, the replica of the Hermione (La Fayette's ship) which fascinates the general public, communities of enthusiasts, and gatherings that attest to the vitality of boats from the past.
You can sail on these exceptional yachts. Because of the high maintenance costs, you will find many commercial offers.
For a day or for a cruise, you will board one of these historic boats. You will experience a bygone era, that of varnished wood, old canvases, polished metal and collective effort.
Finally, for the more adventurous and the passionate, the second-hand market offers a wide range of renovated or rebuilt sailboats.
