Gaining autonomy by practicing
Since mid-January 2022, the family has been sailing alone even if they are still learning about many things. This transatlantic race behind closed doors has made them autonomous and despite the tensions that can arise from being together 24 hours a day, Laurent has a positive assessment of the situation.
"Overall, it's a great experience from a family and social point of view, with the support of sailing. Today, we are able to sail several days to reach an island. The girls are more involved. It was quite difficult to teach them while we were still learning. Today, we share more and things are more structured thanks to the experience we have gained over the last 8 months. After that, it doesn't prevent us from still making mistakes. Two weeks ago, the end of a fisherman's trap got wrapped around the propeller. We have one regret, it's the fact that we didn't meet enough boats with teenagers of our daughters' age. There are a lot of families with small children."
The choice of the boat, a crucial point
From a global perspective, he adds: "Everything went smoothly from the start, the move, the training at sea, the handover of the boat. We chose a reliable boat and that was an essential point. It was our first boat and everyone thought it was too big. But it suits us, it is ideal to face the sea and live on board. Of course with a smaller boat we would have had more access to the marinas, but we accept to be further away in compensation of a boat made for the sea and the strong wind. We also had to pay more in some places, but that's the way it was."
The autonomy in water and energy is also one of the strong points - and indispensable for the family - of their catamaran. Their watermaker allows them to take advantage of fresh water for hygiene and washing dishes and the solar panels power the regulator and the batteries, but also all the onboard electronics: computers, telephone, household applianceseuros
The two autopilots on board - one original and one extra installed by the previous owner - were also an important point in the choice of the boat.
"The autopilot is the captain's right hand man!"
Well advised team members and essential electronics
While they had thought of finding their crew members through dedicated platforms, everything was finally done through word of mouth. This trip also allowed them to meet other boats with whom they could exchange and share.
Laurent was also able to rely on the indispensable electronics, especially for the cartography.
"Navigating with a paper map would put me in trouble. It is certain that leaving without electronic devices is less feasible and requires a more substantial learning curve. I learned how to read a map briefly during an internship at Les Glénans. Electronics make things easier and more convenient, hence the importance of having energy on board and being autonomous to recharge the devices. We live with the times."
Do not overestimate your abilities
Without much experience, Laurent and his family have always acted with precaution, preserving their boat and not taking any risks.
"At no time were we really in trouble because we anticipated as best we could. For example, we avoid sailing with the sun in our eyes and we sail during the day to avoid the traps. We systematically take the weather forecast. We are making progress in our navigation choices. We avoid problems. We had a few gales at 35 knots, but we had anticipated. We often sail under sail, minimum 1 reef in the mainsail with 15/20 knots of steady wind and gusts to 30/35 knots. Sometimes, we take more reef. Having torn our gennaker with strong wind before the transatlantic race has stressed us a bit. Sometimes, for the anchorages, we have to do it several times, especially depending on the bottom. But we can see that we're not the only ones."
This experience allowed them to gain confidence in their abilities and to accept that everything does not always go as planned. In short, to gain humility.
A beautiful experience, but constraints
Not necessarily convinced at first, Adeline, Laurent's wife, is now convinced of this family experience. However, she is still aware of the hazards and complications of sailing.
"There are a lot of logistics and it's not always easy to go ashore for the day-to-day. Not to mention the technical problems and the money you have to invest. Maintaining a house is much easier! On a boat, you have to take care of everything: electricity, plumbing, mechanics, etc. You always have your nose in it.
We had given ourselves a year, but we need to go back to land and find a normal life. euros when we arrived in the French West Indies, we had considered the possibility of continuing a little. At the beginning, we had budgeted the trip so we wouldn't have to work. The boat was bought with money from home and we had taken out an additional loan of 50,000 euros to provide for possible repairs."
Repairs that will have taken place: change of the 10 years old standing rigging with a crack in the crimping in the shroud, change of the solar panels and the regulator and the dinghy's motor.
Their three daughters are also delighted with this experience and as the return gets closer, they realize what they have experienced and are apprehensive about the return. They enjoy the last moments of change of scenery.
"This trip will have been beneficial for their learning about the sea. They have traveled a small part of the world with a particular means of transportation. It will help them if they have problems to find a solution. To move forward in life well."
Clearly define the roles on board
"With my wife, we've never taken so much on!" After several months at sea, Laurent now knows how he could have avoided these little tensions.
"I had a hard time finding my place as captain because I lacked experience. As the voyage progressed, I realized that it is important in the balance of the crew. Overall, I have always shared this experience with all the crew members. I'm not the most comfortable making decisions. It wasn't easy for our girls either, so they had a hard time finding their place. They are definitely better now."
Watch out for the insurance!
The insurance was the "black spot" of the trip as Laurent explains.
"We went through a broker as we had no experience. We were not careful enough. The insurance is expensive and impossible to negotiate when you have a zero nautical resume. It's a big budget. Upstream, you have to think it through to make the best choices and get the best coverage."
What next?
The goal is now to sell the boat and return to live in the Ardèche. Laurent and Adeline must find a job, a house - they have kept their furniture and their cars - and their daughters must resume their lives by going back to school.
"I would have liked us to move closer to the Atlantic or the Mediterranean to continue sailing on weekends or vacations. We have two options. Either sell it locally, or bring it back to France by doing a transatlantic return. The insurance requires us to leave the hurricane zone before June 15th. We will prepare for mid-May and wait for a weather window between now and June to take the departure.
It's going to be a race, we won't have time to take a break from the trip. We are a close family and this trip has strengthened it. I'm a little apprehensive about this return, it's going to be strange, but our girls have their lives and they have to make their way."
