Jean-Marc is a happy owner. His Django 6.70 meets all the requirements of his sailing program. Based in North Brittany in Tréguier, this dynamic retiree announces that he is looking for performance. From the outset, he announces the color: " On the boat's first run, we reached nearly 15 knots under spinnaker, but since then I have gone fasterâeuros¦"
It must be said that Jean-Marc has a track record. Trained in 5o5, then helmsman in Finn, he even participated in an Olympic preparation in the 70s. His origins as a competitor cannot be denied.
Jean-Marc sails 99% alone. He has equipped his Django accordingly with a 3 reefed mainsail and all the maneuvers are done from the cockpit. "It's true that there are a lot of strings attached to the piano, but I'm getting the hang of it. The only time I have to go to the foredeck is to take out the spinnaker pole, but I'm working on a system to control it from the cockpit.
Based on the hull of the D2, a mini 650, the Django 6.70 is also 6.50 m long. But it remains a safe and stiff boat. With a very wide bottom (3 m wide for 6.50 m long!), it needs to be loaded on the stern to sail well downwind. Jean-Marc does not hesitate to put on the mast to get the most out of his boat. "Downwind, I move aft the bib, the anchor (an anchor and its chain in a bucket), the sails and the supplies, especially the water. The boat is sensitive to weight and even if it is equipped with an anchor locker, it would be a shame to load it with the full weight of an anchor.
On the other hand, when sailing upwind, especially in light airs, you have to keep the boat on its chine, between 18 and 20° of heel and move forward at the foot of the descent to avoid dragging water: "As soon as there is the slightest breath of air, the boat goes upwind at 5.5 knots and from force 3, we reach hull speed between 6.3 and 6.4 knots. To get her off to a plan, you need to unclog in the shallow end and have a little wind."
Even if it is stiff (50% ballasted), this boat remains very light. It does not like the choppy sea that stops it in the waves. Not to mention that with each wave, it wets the crew who has no protection.
The Django 6.70 is equipped with a very powerful mainsail with horn. This is what Jean-Marc would probably change if he had any modifications to make. "I'll keep the horn to have fun and take full advantage of the boat, but I'd like a wiser mainsail for cruising" . The horn is difficult to manage as soon as the wind increases and downwind it even hinders the spinnaker by untwisting it: "I often take a reef or two to free the top of the spinnaker."
With its retractable keel, the Django 6.70 can also run aground by resting on its 2 rudders. A solution that Jean-Marc appreciated: "I have already grounded voluntarily and the boat is holding up very well, but once I tasted involuntary grounding! When I arrived at the port, I ran out of fuel. I quickly drifted onto a sandbank, rushed inside to unblock the keel and the boat landed. I just had to wait for the next tide without fear for my boat. Living flat out on board."
This small boat does not deny its sporting origins and Jean-Marc admits to coming out of his nautical excursions with a few bruises and aches. "It's a physical boat, a bit rough, so bulky and light that it bounces around on the chop, mistreating the crew.
Very low, the height of the boom also requires a nice contortion to avoid bumping into the tack. "Since I'm sailing alone, to avoid an accident, I even decided to take out my kayak helmet to sail."
Jean-Marc has no complaints about the layout. He uses the front triangle to sleep during his cruises while the two side berths are so wide "that you could sleep a giant in them". He does not use the kitchen proposed by the shipyard, preferring a kettle suspended from the ceiling like the racers use.
If Jean-Marc is aware of the discomfort of his boat in certain delicate conditions, he does not talk about changing it. "The pleasure of speed has to be earned. But I have total confidence in the marine qualities of the Django 6.70. I found myself surfing 4 m waves with a good force 6 without ever being afraid. And even if I've already gone to the heap on a tight spinnaker tack, boat on edge, just wait for it to straighten out and get going again."
Rate :
Price before tax in standard version: 35 048 euros
Price before tax ready to sail with sails and electronics : 41 665 euros
