Franck and his project: filming the Iroise Sea from a sailboat
A former sailing and marine photographer with a passion for 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 enable him to carry out this project, and shoot images as close as possible to seabirds and marine mammals.
Kelt's choice 7.60
To navigate the Iroise Sea, among the pebbles, shoals and currents, Franck wanted to buy a boat that would "go everywhere". He hesitates with a First 28 or a Gib Sea 77 . But the Kelt 7.60 and he feels it's a good compromise.
The Kelt 7.60 was built in 489 units by the Morbihan-based shipyard Kelt between 1979 and 1985. With a minimum draught of 0.80 m, this ballasted dinghy allows you to get as close to the coast as possible, and to land easily, even with a tender without engine. The Kelt 7.60 also makes it easy to stand up in this area of particularly high tidal range.
On his first visit, Franck already felt at ease in the yacht: the headroom of 1.76 m made it easy for him to move around the interior, which he found particularly well laid out.
With a large saloon, a separate forward cabin, a galley, a small toilet and plenty of storage space, the Kelt 7.60 is very spacious for a yacht of this size!
Begavel II: a Kelt 7.60 in need of refurbishment
Franck buys the yacht for around ?6,000. But the boat, built in 1980, is showing signs of age, and the same amount of money will have to be invested to carry out the work required to ensure comfort and safety on board.
Interior and exterior work, portholes, paintwork, electrics, electronics, toilets, hull fittings, rigging... In 4 years, Franck has rebuilt almost everything on his Kelt 7.60.
Comfort and easy solo sailing
Once underway, Franck discovered the capabilities of the Kelt 7.60, confirming his choice. Begavel II is easy to steer and maneuver single-handed, with excellent seakeeping qualities. He adds: " The Kelt 7.60 is a very seaworthy boat that easily accepts mistakes".
The sailboat moves easily upstream in the currents and doesn't scare away the birds: it shoots great sequences and is easy to work with. It's a reliable boat, even if Franck advises reducing the sail as soon as the wind picks up. The spinnaker is also very easy to set up, and solo sailing aboard the yacht goes according to plan.
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 performs less well upwind.
In 4 years, Franck will sail some 3,000 miles in the Iroise Sea, the Ponant Islands, Douarnenez Bay, Morgat and Camaret. Not once will his boat disappoint him!
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