Fifteen years ago, when Juliette and Hubert met, they already knew that one day they would set sail around the world with their family. Seasoned yachtsmen, they put all the chances on their side to prepare for their dream, which has now become a reality.
What are the choices financiers??
"We've been making choices for 15 years that now allow us to leave." explains Juliette. Thanks to a family contribution, the couple bought their first apartment and thanks to well thought-out real estate transactions, managed to put money aside.
"We lived in a small apartment for a long time and sold it last year to save that budget for our trip. Since then we've been living in a rented apartment and all we have to do is return our lease. Finally, considering the events, it was strategically interesting to sell it a year before. It also allowed us to put down our first deposit for the purchase of our boat." details Juliette.
The couple has a cellar where they will store the few valuables, the rest will certainly be sold at flea markets. "We haven't bought much, and we don't have any valuable furniture." details Juliette.
Thanks to their savings, the couple expects to enjoy these three years at sea without having to work.
On the job side, what's organisation??
If the couple can also afford to go away for so long, it is because their profession allows them to do so. Hubert is a banker and his collective agreement allows him to take up to 4 years of sabbatical leave. As for Juliette, she works in the public service and is allowed to take time off as long as she wishes.
And the purchase of bateau??
Thanks to their profession - and job security - the couple chose to buy in LOA. A choice that nevertheless requires them to leave European waters quickly after receiving the boat in order to take advantage of a VAT exemption. "We won't really have time to sail in France, as we receive the boat a month before the start, but we'll be training in the Canary Islands and Morocco", juliette laughs.
Upon their return, the couple plans to sell what has been their home for three years. "Our children will be teenagers, we have our jobs and a boat that size in France, it's complicated when you have a land life. We'll probably put it on sale six months before we come back to France or the West Indies." details Juliette.
What preparation is needed at mer??
For the past 18 months, the couple has been training in order to be prepared for the unexpected. "If you have a good basis of navigation, you have done many courses with Escale Formation Technique. We've done all their training courses." explains Juliette.
To Hubert the diesel engine, computers and communications and electricity (which he had to keep up with in this period of confinement and which the torque hopes to push back). For Juliette, the weather, medical, seamanship and rigging repairs.
Both of them also attended the course offered by the Macif sailing school on safety and survival at sea. "It shows the reality of an evacuation, with life raft and helicopter lift." details Juliette.
Apart from these technical training courses, Hubert has done a sailing course around Corsica and is counting on these summer trainings. "Our itinerary is crescendoing with difficulties. The navigations will increase little by little and we will allow to train on our boat" concludes Juliette.
What about enfants??
For the couple's four children, it won't be a discovery. They sail every summer and some of them have even taken numerous sailing courses. They have also participated in baby swimming since they were 4 months old, which allowed them all to know how to swim at the age of three. The last little Bertille, 2 and a half years old, was still learning how to swim before confinement. "She'll learn to swim a little later." puts Juliette's feelings into perspective. "Anyway, they all love water and it's really nice." she concludes.
Which parcours??
"It will be a fairly traditional course, following the prevailing winds and currents." explains the young woman.
In addition to the Canary Islands, Morocco, Brazil, New Caledonia, Bali, Madagascar, the West Indies and South Africa, the family would like to stop over in Senegal, towards the Saloum Delta. "There's the association Voiles Sans Frontières which does humanitarian work in small villages and we'd like to help them."
For the moment, their itinerary is not fixed or entirely defined and Juliette and Hubert intend to make the most of their time and "pontoon radio" to discover incredible places around the world.
Toqué Frères
