Just launched last February, the Lagoon 400 S2 n°544 set sail for her first full-scale test: La Rochelle/La Grande-Motte, nearly 2,000 miles. The opportunity to validate the validity of the numerous specifications requested by Jean-Pierre Fréry, skipper of Cavok at Lagoon.
Test the equipment in real situation
Reinforcements, safety, complete sail set - including a breeze solent, a gennaker and a very large symmetrical spinnaker, custom electricity, watermaker... all technical elements to be tested before the big start.
For this first delivery, the maximum wind encountered was 54 knots downwind. The sea did not need to set up the stragglers, but everything is ready on the toulines of the edge. No breakage on board the catamaran except a wind turbine blade, caught in one end.
Continuation of home preparation
Arriving in La Grande Motte, Cavok was exhibited at the Multihull Show and his three-month stay allowed Jean-Pierre, whose company Chemins d'Océans is based there, to continue the preparation of his mount.
Each sail has been tested to optimize the pull points and to make sure of its good cut. The protective tarpaulins have been installed, as has the rainwater collection tarpaulin which has been tested and stored on board.
The final communication system has been put in place. Immarsat's Fleet One was chosen - it allows total autonomy in the use of the telephone, the sending of e-mails and even photos and videos.
Another tour of Spain!
A second round of Spain, in the other direction this time, began on 22 July 2018.
In addition to the technical tests of the equipment, it was a question of heating the crew, Eric and Denis. Both have a good experience of offshore sailing. Eric is particularly familiar with the Lagoon 400 as he owns one and lives aboard it most of the year.
A short stopover in Ibiza was the occasion to implement the diving equipment, very useful in case of end caught on the rudder or damage under the waterline. Freeze-dried food was appreciated - it will constitute 80% of the food on board.
For this delivery, there was no downwind sailing but an endless climb upwind, particularly on the Portuguese coast and along the north-west coast of Spain. Overall: the Lagoon 400 is sailing very clean, even in 30 knots of wind. Jean-Pierre has equipped his catamaran with folding propellers, the profile of the rudders has been optimised and the hull is particularly neat.
No damage or technical problems to report, which is very encouraging!
Soon the big departure..
Cavok has been moored at the Port des Minimes in La Rochelle since 5 August 2018. All that remains is to install the custom-made windscreen, which can be completed with a set of tarpaulins in the far south, prepare the supplies (500 kg all the same !), apply a final layer of antifouling and of course adjust a few more small details. Jean-Pierre plans to spend three days a week in La Rochelle to manage this program.
Cavok will be exhibited at the Grand Pavois and should set off on his great journey as soon as the ideal window for dégolfer presents itself at the end of September 2018.
140 days without seeing the land (or almost)
Cavok's non-stop circumnavigation of the globe will take place from west to east, in other words by making the most of the prevailing winds (the same route as the Vendée Globe). After the departure from La Rochelle, the Lagoon 400 will tack Cape Finistère before diving further south. The first great milestone to be reached, that of Good Hope, at the southern tip of the African continent. Then begins the crossing of the Indian Ocean before turning Cape Leeuwin, south-west of Australia, before chaining the Pacific, towards Cape Horn.
This crossing point, the southernmost in South America, is forced to descend to 55° in latitude. Even in the summer months - the austral summer is the winter in Europe - conditions can be very harsh. The ascent towards the Atlantic usually means a real respite for the sailors..
The total length of this round the world voyage is around 25,000 miles and the planned sailing time is 135 to 150 days - an average of around 7 knots. Cavok's crew will benefit from the support of a leading router, Christian Dumard.
