It is aboard a prototype from Tricat, built on the model of the 23.5 and made of biocomposite and flax fiber, balsa and cork that the 3 adventurers spent the winter of 2014 sailing between the islands of the Salomons archipelago in search of surf spots. To carry out their project, they were looking for a light, stable, all-purpose boat and above all, eco-designed. Convinced of the project, the sailor Roland Jourdain, expert in biocomposites, and the Morbihan company Tricat joined the adventure by pooling their skills.
Built in 5 months and launched in May 2013, the Gwalaz has already been the companion of the 3 surfers during a tour of Brittany before setting sail this year to the Solomon Islands. The use of linen fibers seems to be an increasingly credible alternative to fiberglass, which is difficult to recycle.
Built with the technique of vacuum infusion, the handling of linen fibers is more delicate than glass fiber. First of all, because it is a natural and living material, it is necessary to respect hydrometry and storage constraints so that the fiber keeps its natural qualities. Then, because there is not yet an industrial sector offering a range of weaving materials that meet the constraints of nautical construction, regular and biaxial fiber for example. To carry out this project, Roland Jourdain and his team at Kaïros provided technical support, already working with Ifremer in Brest on biocomposites
The industrial production of flax fiber boats is not yet on the agenda and remains at the research stage.
The Gwalaz
