Renaissance of the Snoopy quarter tonner
September 1, 2023 was a day of celebration for the Hydrofolies association and its president Jean-Marc Corvest. They were celebrating the completion of the renovation of Snoopy, a 1977 quarter-tonner, which had been fully restored at the Sailwood yard in Lorient over a period of 2? years. He explains: "It took between 200 and 300 hours of renovation, which we carried out at our own pace. The rigging we salvaged from another quarter is being refurbished at Tonnerre Gréement, who had already taken care of the boat in its early days."
From Lake Garda to a parking lot in Noirmoutier
Snoopy was built on Lake Garda in 1977 by its designer Santarelli, while he was developing the Furia quarter tonner model. Imported bareboat by 2 Arcachonnais with the aim of taking part in the 1979 Quarter Ton Cup in Marseille, she didn't take part in the event, probably avoiding any damage as the event was marked by strong winds. Jean-Marc Corvest, who acquired it personally in 1981 at the age of 23, adds: "It was probably for the best, the boat born on the lakes was made more for light airs, in which it made its reputation. I kept the boat for 20 years. During the first 10 years, we raced all over the Atlantic coast, with 50 to 60 regattas and training sessions a year, including 2 victories in the Spi Ouest France. Some of the racers of the time, such as Hervé Laurent, were on board. Then the boat stayed ashore for a few years, before the Hydrofolies association put it back in the water, with a return to racing at the end of the 1990s until 2001, when I sold it. She was crewed by such now-famous names as Bernard Stamm and Vincent Riou. Then the Hydrofolies association continued to run regattas on other boats."
It was finally in 2021 that Jean-Marc Corvest recognized the silhouette of his Snoopy in a parking lot, as he explained: "It was lying fallow on a parking lot in Noirmoutier, not far from being scrapped. The Hydrofolies association was able to buy it back with the help of its former sponsors, now patrons."
Back to his new home
This was followed by 2 and a half years of work. The association relies on miraculously preserved documents, photos and crew memories. Completely stripped bare by Sailwood, the boat, built in polyester glass, with a balsa sandwich for the deck and lead ballast, is sound, with no trace of moisture or osmosis.
On the other hand, the fittings and furnishings - basic with stretched canvas bunks and a small galley - as well as the decoration, have been redone as they were in the 1980s.
Jean-Marc Corvest concludes by revealing the origin of the boat's christening name: "We called in a fablab to reproduce in 3D printing parts that no longer existed, such as the fairleads. The companionway ladders are identical. Last but not least, the painting that made it famous has been reproduced. Indeed, the early sponsor had the rights to use the Peanuts copyright, which even allowed us to have a Snoopy in the mainsail, sitting on a deckchair, a sail we found a few weeks ago!"
