Back to the structure of the sailboat
As we revealed in February 2022, a project to participate in the Ocean Globe Race 2023 has been launched on board Neptune, a French sailing boat that participated in the 1977-79 Whitbread. For this, fundraising work has been launched by the future crew. Arrived in Morbihan in February 2022 after many years of cruising in the Caribbean, Neptune has been completely emptied of its equipment. Electrical systems and engine have been unloaded. The boat was sandblasted and the team was able to make a precise diagnosis of the condition of the boat.
Erwan Gourdon, future crew member, but also naval architect with the Finot-Conq firm, is piloting the renovation of the boat. He explains that he had a few little surprises. "We stripped everything bare. Except for the aluminum, there's nothing left in the boat. Everything has been sandblasted. We obviously had some surprises. The rudder was very oxidized, whether it was the wick holder or the scoop, and we will probably have to redo them. There are also 4 to 5 m² of planking to be changed, because it was too oxidized, which we couldn't see because of the fittings. All the holes in the bridge panels that had been added have been filled. Since the beginning of August, we have been working on restoring the structure and redoing what had been cut into the different lives of the boat."
Don't forget security
If the renovated boat will be as close as possible to the original configuration, the crew of Neptune is not compromising on safety, as Erwan Gourdon explains. "We are going to recreate watertight bulkheads; stronger than originally. The Ocean Globe Race only requires a bulkhead at 5% of the length, but with my experience of working on IMOCAs, we're going to put in 4. We've also redone the sail plan by lowering the forestay anchor to have a split rig. This was one of the major evolutions between the Whitbread 73 and the editions of the 80s. We never imagined ourselves with spinnakers 7 meters above the waterline. Similarly, the headsails will be furled. Our project is efficient, but without neglecting safety. The average age of the crew is 50-60 years and we want everyone to come back in full. We couldn't imagine sending someone out to change sails in 40 knots in the south."
Simple arrangements
As far as the interior fittings are concerned, the variations compared to the Neptune of the Whitbread 78 are minimal. Apart from 2 fridges, lighting, a SSB and the AIS imposed by the organization for safety reasons, little equipment is required. Instead of 2 chart tables, Neptune will have only one, enlarging the saloon a little and offering the luxury of being able to lie down on the bannettes! "The Mauric plan is 90% compliant" says Erwan Gourdon.
Financing still to be finalized
The project is now well underway. The boat, named Neptune, Winning with Parkinson's, will race for an association fighting against this disease. Bertrand, a crew member with Parkinson's disease, will participate in all the stages of the Ocean Globe Race. The boat has received the label Bateau d'Intérêt Patrimonial, facilitating the search for funding. Nevertheless, there is still work to be done to finance the work, concludes Erwan Gourdon. "The budget is not yet complete. 2 people are working almost full time since April 2022, helped by volunteers, each with their own skills. In the crew, we have an ex-rigger, an electrician, a naval architect... We are aiming for a launch in March-April 2023."
