Unmatched engine maneuverability
Before going to sail the Mojito 6.50 in front of Concarneau, we left the quay in front of the city under motor. And it is the occasion to notice the good performance of the boat under motor. Beyond the very satisfactory speed of 4 to 5 knots reached with the help of the 2.3 hp outboard engine, it is the maneuverability of the boat that is notable. In addition to the advantages of the double rudder and the 180-degree rotating engine, there is the absence of a submerged bow due to the scow shape. The gyration is very short. The boat recrosses its wake in half a length.
Sailing upwind and dry towards the Glénan
The sails are quickly established. Made by All Purpose, already partner of IDBmarine for the Maxi 6.50, it is a 21 m² mainsail with horn and a 17 m² genoa. In our case, the latter is fixed on the forestay with textile snap hooks. A furling system is available as an option. Stowed in its bag on the deck, it is quickly hoisted.
The conditions are quite strong in Concarneau Bay for the test, with a wind oscillating between 15 and 20 knots. However, the channel was quickly swallowed up. Set at 35 degrees to the apparent wind, the boat is sailing between 6.5 and 7 knots. The mainsail has 2 reefing bands, but we are staying on top of it. The mainsail traveler, easily accessible from the helm station, is sufficient to manage the oversails. If necessary, reefs are also provided on the headsail (inherited from the Mini).
The chop is short. The boat slaps and resonates loudly. You can feel that it is stiff and well structured, but it does not stop in the wave. And above all, it does not get wet. It seems that the famous advantages of scows are real. With the added protection of the roof, the crew member is only affected by the very rare spray created by the bow passing through the wave.
The helm is very neutral. The bi-safran, coupled with the absence of a clean bow, brings little pressure in the helm. For the amateur helmsman, the electronics are a precious help to keep a good compromise between course and speed. A good knowledge of the boat will probably compensate for this. This does not prevent us from reaching the Glénan in a little over an hour.
High average speeds downwind
It's time to go back. Even if the wind has changed, we send the spinnaker for an express return. Slightly down, the large bow volume easily supports the presence of two adults on the foredeck, when I come to observe the maneuver. Once the bowsprit is out, the asymmetrical spinnaker of 64 m², makes the boat accelerate quickly. The average speed remains high. We are maintaining a minimum of around 9 knots, with the wind force oscillating strongly between 15 and 18 knots. In the surf, the boat reaches 13 knots, while keeping the front deck perfectly dry. The feeling of security remains total, despite the size of the boat.
Even if the performance has a price, as we will see in the last part of our report, the sensations are there and the promises of the scow are kept.
