A school boat with a strong sympathy capital
La Caravelle is a plan by Jean-Jacques Herbulot, to whom we owe most of the nautical designs of the 1950s. Conceived at the base as a pram of servitude for the fishermen, this small 4.60 m sailing boat which was born in 1953 will nevertheless become the star of the sailing schools.
Indeed, she will be chosen by Philippe Vianney - founder of the Glénans sailing school - to become a training boat. Her seaworthy qualities, her stability and her ability to take several people on board convinced the instructors.
Over the years, the Caravelle has managed to retain this sympathy capital, with its easily recognizable design: a cut bow - called the marotte - also found on the Optimist and its lively chine. And since 1999, it has had its own owners' association.
It must be said that many of them started sailing on a caravel, then taught their children, who themselves transmit this passion on this small boat.
The birth of an association to get together and regatta
The minutes of the first Board of Directors' meeting of 28 November 1998 record the birth of the association, presided over at the time by Yves Quénaon, described as follows "bon vivant and regal finesse." At the time, 37 of them belonged to this "pure Breton butter" association whose members were spread from Brest to Les Abers, and included a few defectors from Paris and Nantes.
The objective is simple: to get together with the owners to sail, race and above all have a good time. Because the Caravelles owners' gatherings are always festifs?! In fact, each regatta or gathering is followed by a picnic, a festive meal or an evening event grillades?!
Top regatta sailors
With its very strict rules, the Caravelle attracts several ocean racers and fine racers who come to rub shoulders with each other. Thus, Vincent Riou, Jean-Pierre Dick and more recently Armel le Cléac'h and his brother Gael, come to challenge the passionate amateurs.
Thus, the level is quite high, even if year after year, it is Armel who wins on the podium of the Voiles de Saint-Marine. And for the record, the ocean racer doesn't only master the sailing since even in the event organised in Sainte-Marine, in Finistère, which mixes Caravelle and golf events and challenges of all kinds (pancake competition or touline throwing,) it is the skipper of Banque Populaire who wins.
A very busy schedule
What makes the success of the Caravalle owners' association is also the number of events in the planning. Indeed, gatherings are organized every fortnight from April all over Brittany. Regattas alternate with simple sailing with family and friends. A varied and consequent planning which allows to vary the crew members.
Thus, if for the gatherings, we sail with women and children, on the regattas, the competition is raging and we choose a qualified crew member (who can also be a woman and enfant?!).
So of course, within the association everyone is connait?!
Compulsory membership for the National Caravelle
Although the association currently has about 120 members, this figure does not reflect the vitality of the class. Indeed, each year, the National Caravelle brings together between 60 and 70 boats, with 3 crew members on board. Except that to participate as a crew member, you don't need to be a member, only the boat owner has to be a member.
If it is not compulsory to be a member to take part in the numerous regattas organised by different Breton sailing clubs, it is nevertheless necessary to be a member to take part in the big annual regatta. A modest sum since it is enough to contribute 20 euros to be able to provide for the expenses of the association which includes 12 people, including the measurers, the contacts in the navigation basin, the communication, the presidency, the secretariat, etc.
Moreover, you should know that for any membership subscribed in 2020, it will be extended for the whole year 2021.
Or buy a caravelle??
Today, several shipyards continue to produce the small boat of less than 5 m, such as the Chantier Naval de Carantec or the Darak shipyard, in Combrit, both in Finistère, where you can buy a boat for nearly 10?000 euros.
You can also find several second-hand models in good condition (5?000 to 6?000 euros). Otherwise, you can build your boat, as long as the plans are absolutely in accordance with the Herbulot plans. The association will also be able to sell the plans of the Herbulot family.
A strict gauge
Although the rules are very strict, it is nevertheless possible to make "improvements" on your boat. For example, some racers opt for a competition mast, pulleys or new sails every year.
