We are waiting for your opinion on the forum: What kind of retirement for racing boats?
Geodis is the yacht that won one of the premier events in ocean racing, the Vendée Globe in 1996/97 (the 3rd edition with Christophe Auguin as skipper). She was bought by an owner who seems to have little interest in his boat today. This boat designed by the architects Jean-Marie Finot and Pascal Conq is made of carbon/Nomex. She has a draught of 4.50 metres, but has the first pivoting keel which is now found on all IMOCA boats today. With his bow particularly low on the water, he is an archimedian of the past. She's not a bad boat, her track record speaks for itself, but she is a little over 30 years old and is the best of what was done at the time.
Covered in foam, the boat vegetates
Today, this 60-foot IMOCA class boat is abandoned. She lies, along a catway too small for her, in the port of Cherbourg, in the Channel (France). Time seems to have stood still for the champion, which a Hungarian owner seems to have abandoned to his grief.
It was in 2010 that the racing boat that Christophe Auguin helmed was bought by this owner. He did some work on it for a while until an engine damage in 2004. Brought back to safety by the SNSM rescuers, the boat has since then received no visit or maintenance.
At the same place since a damage in 2004
This is what Muriel Jozeau-Marigne, Deputy Mayor of Cherbourg in charge of the Chantereyne marina, explains: " The boat has been in place since 2004. If her place was paid for the first year, since then we haven't received any payment. The debt amounts to 15,000 euros, a coquette sum for a municipality. "
Customs or justice, suppliers of suction cup boats
A classic case of an abandoned boat, as the harbour official tells us: " On the totality of the places of the port [NDLR 1600 places including 190 for visitors] we have a dozen of boats in a manifest state of abandonment. For various reasons, by the way. The death of owners and uninformed heirs is the first, but also the missing without giving an address, incarcerated persons or customs seizures. Besides, customs or justice do not bother in these cases, the boat is deposited, it's up to us to manage. "Fortunately, not all these boats are IMOCA racing boats.
Future more than uncertain
What is the future of this boat? " We've started steps to get it back, but they're endless and time-consuming.. ", says Muriel. And to continue: " But we are hopeful that, if not to recover the sums due, at least to free up some space in the harbour. We do have people on the waiting list who would like to take advantage of this space! "
A dull destiny for this boat, in the port where the next two editions of the Fastnet are arriving. What to do with it then? A museum? An attraction? Give it to a sailing club?
A sailboat not to be put in all hands
We asked ourselves the question on everyone's lips, what to do with such a boat? In reality, such a sailing boat cannot be reused as is. In any case, it is inconceivable to sail it, it can only be handled by someone who knows how to do it. We can already forget about the sailing club. As for competing again, it seems difficult. Eventually, it may become an exhibition venue or a tourist attraction, for example in the Fastnet village. Because, to succeed in doing something on the water with such a boat, the renovation work will be extensive.
In any case, if someone were to buy this boat after the commune of Cherbourg, one must keep in mind that, for an amateur, buying such a boat can quickly become a ball and chain. We must at all costs avoid that from a sucker boat on the water, it turns into a sucker boat in a shed. The town hall will have to pay attention to its image, because the boat will remain attached to it.
We'll stay in touch with the chosen one. It would be a shame if this boat ended up in an elephant graveyard. It does indeed deserve an enlightened and passionate amateur to polish its bow!
And you, what do you think of the future of racing boats? Come and give us your opinion, your ideas or your projects for such a boat on the forum What kind of retirement for racing boats?
