Why the choice of the Sun Odyssey?
Already for the space on board. We wanted 4 cabins, 2 wheel steering to have a large cockpit and a large saloon. A 22-year-old boat is also stronger and more fibrous. While today boats are built with a mould and a counter-mould, I wanted to see my hull in case of water ingress..
The boat was healthy and robust, which is reassuring on a long journey. We also needed space because we have family and friends who will join us regularly on the course.
What is your budget?
We do not have an unlimited budget. That's why we were going on an old boat first. We paid him 72,000 euros because he was average, but we put a lot back into the work. Of course, we won't sell it for the price it cost us in the end. We did a lot of comfort work, but we thought that if we had flown around the world, slept in hotels, dined in restaurants, etc., it would have cost us the same price.
Afterwards, we also embarked on something we didn't think was as long... We still needed to rebuild the hull - which had a 22-year layer of antifouling - to change the through-hulls, to change the standing rigging and the sails that were worn, the hardware, the electronics. We also installed a radar with a through probe that allows us to see in front of the boat, everything that is shoal, rocks, etc. It seemed useful to us, especially in the Pacific.
You did a lot of things on your own, did you have specific skills?
We don't have any sailing training at first, but we do have a mega desire. Mélanie had a Leader and we used to make a few trips at sea, to reach Porquerolles for example, but never long journeys.
I wasn't really a great handyman either. But we really learn on the job with the local craftsmen. When we talk about round the world, we see stars in people's eyes and that brings us a lot of help, especially on the pontoons. We receive a lot of help, it's really great, boating is really a special and tightly knit world.
How will you live for a year and a half?
We have put money aside. I am a craftsman and I close my limited liability company at the end of the month while Mélanie, who is an operating room nurse, takes a year off. On a round the world trip, what is expensive is the boat itself. There will also be costs in case of breakage or to refuel with diesel fuel. The rest will be cheaper.
It will also be an opportunity to do without a little comfort - even if the boat remains very comfortable. To come back to doing the dishes by hand, to washing your clothes by hand. To return to natural things too, to get up and go to bed with the sun, to live things much more down-to-earth.
The idea of the trip is also to return to sensations at the source. No more emails, computers, phone calls. We're going to cut ourselves off from the world. Melanie could have worked on the way - nurses are often wanted - and so am I, but we don't have much time.
