Find a comfortable boat with performance
For Médéric, 24 years old, a sailing instructor at Les Glénans, and his sister Marie, 30 years old, a web developer, the idea of leaving together on a transatlantic crossing from Lorient to the Caribbean was born during the 2020 confinement. It took shape in the autumn of 2022. They establish precise specifications to find the boat of their dreams . If he is looking for a comfortable boat to share a long time at sea and to live on board once in the Caribbean, she is also looking for a boat that "goes well".
A 1979 Jeanneau Symphonie to renovate
After a few visits, they chose Nausicaa, a 1979 Jeanneau Symphonie that had already crossed the Atlantic twice in its past lives. In addition to the comfort aspect, the fact that the boat has a Hydrovane windvane steering system reinforces their choice. On September 18, the brother and sister set sail again on their boat, purchased for 13,000 euros. They sailed for a few days before deciding to build it.
They explain: "It was ready to sail, we spent 10 days cruising. There were no big problems, but not enough things optimized for offshore cruising. The electrical was also in need of redoing."
The opportunity to learn and know the boat before departure
With a little elbow grease, a few friends, videos of tutorials and specific training courses followed by Marie, notably on electricity, they started the work. The work starts at the beginning of December on a platform in Lorient.
Mary explains: "Buying a boat with refit was not disturbing. It was also an opportunity to learn. For electricity, we really didn't know anything about it. I took a 2-day training course in Nantes at Escale Formation Technique. It allowed me to learn the basics and to develop a plan. We used the different energy balances and electrical diagrams of the boat that we already had to make an analysis. We also installed an MPPT charge controller from the solar panels to recharge the batteries."
Work for safety
Apart from the electricity, the mast light and the anchor light come on when they should not. The boom is too big and needs to be shortened. It is Méderic who takes care of it with a grinder. A seawater pump for the galley still needs to be added, as well as a bilge pump, even if the previous owners had done without it during their transatlantic trips. This one, worn out, did not work anymore in forced and automatic operation.
Médéric explains: "We were trained at Les Glénans, where the safety aspect is very important. We were taught that. So we check that the boat is up to standard before leaving. This will allow us to manage if something breaks during the navigation. In the safety aspect, we learn to do without the essentials and it's great to learn to sail with the elements."
Always in this step of safety, the stanchions were changed, just like the dies which did not hold. Many fittings were changed, and a life line installed. The small dinghy motor needs to be repaired and the dinghy bought back. In the toilets, the pump does not work any more and a rejuvenation must be carried out. In the kitchen, the gas oven will be replaced and the wooden worktop of the sink renovated and varnished.
Médéric details: "We still need to change the portholes, redo the upholstery, put screws and stainless steel back in everywhere, rework the plumbing, replace the mixing valve and piping. I've already started installing new hinges on the crews."
The sail set also leaves something to be desired, some will be bought back, others repaired.
The Yanmar engine of 15 hp is original, but in good condition and the alternator has been changed recently. In any case, Marie will follow a new training on diesel mechanics before the departure. Finally, before the departure, Nausicaa will wear a new pink hull.
10 000 euros of work to be done
In total, the pair estimates the total cost of the work at 10,000 euros. The return to the water is planned by the beginning of April 2023, so the brother and sister will be able to continue their refit on board.
They conclude: "It's a huge project. We spend all our weekends and vacations there. We learn a lot of things, about navigation and safety. To complete the safety aspect, Marie will take a Cruise Survival course before departure."
