We had left Augustin in July 2017 when he has just sold his Feeling 286 Special just out of renovation . Here he is now at the head of a larger financial base, but alas, he is less available: he must also continue his studies. More than a year later, in December 2018 still without a boat, the desire to own a sailboat is still present in this young man of 21 years.
Finding a First 210
It is on the Old Port of Roscoff, in the dry, that he will discover a First 210, which is also visibly poorly maintained. And for this sailor, seeing an abandoned sailboat always breaks his heart. He therefore undertook to contact the owner by leaving his details with the harbour master. Finally a first contact took place in February 2018, but buyer and seller could not agree on the price. Augustin no longer believes in it and death in the soul passes his way. But in March 2019, the owner calls him back and accepts the first offer on condition that he keeps the engine. For 4000 euros, Augustin buys this First 210, without engine or trailer, but with beautiful sails.
A sailboat better suited to his student grant
This time Augustin is sure. The First 210 will be a good boat to try out alone at sea. And he won't have the problem of the inboard engine that he had on the previous Feeling. To bring the boat back by sea closer to his home (Rade de Brest), Augustin started renovating the hull in the Old Port of Roscoff. He quickly discovered that the brackets holding the lifting keel were rotten. He had to remove the keel.
The boat being in Roscoff, Augustion living in Brest, the round trips to work on the boat take time and money. Finally, it is by road that he will repatriate his boat. He found a place for it in an association at the foot of the Petit Minou lighthouse. It costs almost nothing (200 euros/year), but on the other hand there is no electricity in the area. In April 2019, the First 210 is at work and Augustin who "finishes" his school year at the University, can invest himself in the construction site.
Atypical make-up removal on palettes
He can then start to remove the shell. With a car jack and a lot of pallets, he will gradually raise the boat above its keel. This operation will take a week, generate some cold sweats, but finally the First is out of the water despite the very seized bolts. Dragged behind the car, the keel will receive a complete epoxy treatment. The whole lifting mechanism is also refurbished.
Augustin also worked on the hull. This one has a blue gelcoat which (a disease of the Bénéteau of this generation) is all washed out. It needs to be polished. By renting a generator and a polishing machine, he was able to recover the original blue and a mirror effect of which he is very proud. He also took back the rudders which had obviously received shocks.
Finally, the mast is cracked at its foot. Augustin can't afford to change it. He will simply shorten it by 5 cm before taking over the whole rigging by shortening the shrouds and forestay.
If on his first boat, the Feeling 286 Special, Augustin had mainly worked on the interior on the fittings and the engine, on this First 210 it is mainly on the hull that he works.
An epic first nav
Mid-June 2019, the First 210 "Aeolus" is back in the water, 4 months after purchase! Augustin found a small used Honda outboard at a very good price. But as soon as it left the dock, the engine chair broke, the engine only survived because of a safety rope. Fortunately, it did not take water. The handling of the boat will be done with the sail without engine.
For this first navigation, Augustin took his girlfriend Justine on board who largely participated in this renovation. The aim is to reach the port of Moulin Blanc at the end of the bay, just a few miles away. With the wind rising, the navigation will be eventful and very wet This will be my girlfriend's first and last trip on this yacht "
Throughout the summer, Augustin enjoyed his First 210 solo. He mainly sails in the harbor and tries to push it to its limits, not hesitating to put himself on the edge sometimes. He is comfortable on board, finds it very safe. But he wants to share these moments with Justine. As a result, he realized that he needed a bigger boat, with more comfort. So he put his 210 for sale.
Sold in 4 days
In only 4 days, the sale is signed! The First 210 will be sold 7000 euros with its engine and its tender. It is below the market price (which is rather around 10 000 euros). But Augustin does not want to make money on it. His investment in purchase and materials was 6,300 euros. Funny thing, this First 210 is now based again in Roscoff. Back to the roots.
At the end of July 2019, Augustin finds himself without a boat again. But this will not last
euros to follow...
