Franck and his project: filming the Iroise Sea on a sailboat
Former sailing and sea photographer, passionate about the sea and boating, Franck is preparing a feature film about biodiversity in the Iroise Sea. In 2018, he is looking to buy a sailboat that will allow him to realize this project, and to shoot images as close as possible to sea birds and marine mammals.
Kelt's choice 7,60
To sail in the Iroise Sea, in the middle of rocks, in the shallows and currents, Franck wishes to acquire a boat "that goes everywhere". He hesitated with a First 28 or a Gib Sea 77. But he liked the lines of the Kelt 7.60 and thought it was a good compromise.
The Kelt 7.60 was built in 489 units by the Morbihan shipyard Kelt between 1979 and 1985. With a minimum draught of 0.80 m, the ballasted dinghy makes it possible to get as close to the coast as possible and to disembark easily, even with a dinghy without engine. In this area with a particularly high tidal range, the Kelt 7.60 also offers the possibility of landing easily.
On his first visit, Franck already felt at ease in the yacht: the headroom of 1.76 m allows him to move around easily inside, which he found particularly well laid out.
With a large saloon, a separate forward cabin, a kitchenette, a small bathroom and plenty of storage space, the Kelt 7.60 is quite spacious for a yacht of this size!
Begavel II: a Kelt 7.60 that needs to be reworked
Franck bought the boat for about 6,000 euros. But the boat, built in 1980, is showing signs of age, and it will be necessary to invest the same amount of money to carry out the work that will make it possible to be in comfort and safety on board.
Interior and exterior work, portholes, painting, electricity, electronics, toilets, hulls, etc. In 4 years, Franck redid almost everything on his Kelt 7.60.
Comfortable and easy single-handed navigation
Once underway, Franck discovered the capabilities of the Kelt 7.60 which confirmed his choice. Begavel II is an easy boat to steer and maneuver single-handed, which has a very good sea keeping. He says: " The Kelt 7.60 is a very seaworthy boat that easily accepts mistakes".
The sailboat goes up easily in the currents and doesn't scare the birds: it shoots nice sequences and is easy to sail. It is a reliable boat, even if Franck advises to reduce the sail as soon as the wind strengthens. The spinnaker is also very easy to set up, and the solo sailing on board the boat is going as planned.
Equipped with a Vetus 9 HP inboard engine, the Kelt 7.60 sails at an average speed of 4 knots. With it, you have to take the time to live! And like many weighted dinghies, it is less efficient upwind.
In 4 years, Franck will sail about 3,000 miles in the Iroise Sea, in the Ponant Islands, in the Douarnenez Bay, in Morgat or Camaret. Not once will his boat disappoint him!
