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My Dream, My Boat
I'm 68 years old, and I have a lifelong passion for the sea and sailing. But today, I find myself at a turning point where my energy is no longer sufficient to complete the construction of my boat, which I started in 2000. That's why I'm launching this appeal to you, the lovers of the sea, to give other enthusiasts the opportunity to make their dreams come true, while extending my own.
Anchoring the project
It all began in the 70s, in the era of babas cools and hippies. I was 18 in 1974, and like many young people of the time, I was dreaming of adventure and wide horizons. With my sailing friends, we spent our summers renting 10-meter houseboats to sail around Brittany. These cruises marked my first steps into the world of sailing, and very quickly the sea became a passion.
At the age of 24, I was given the opportunity to manage the charter of a 13-meter sailboat on behalf of its owner, who entrusted me with its management. This experience gave me the impetus and the means to buy and restore second-hand boats. But there was one dream I'd always had: to build my own sailboat, a boat I'd thought up entirely on my own, adapted to my desires and needs.
In 2000, I decided to take the plunge. I drew up the plans for my boat, a 12.80-meter-long, 4.20-meter-wide sailing yacht with very specific features: a shallow draft, a retractable keel for beaching, and a bright saloon with a view of the outside, just like a catamaran. I wanted her to be functional and spacious, so she could accommodate a large number of people, with 3 beautiful double cabins.
I worked methodically, self-taught, extrapolating from existing plans, making compromises and relying on books, magazines and my curiosity. I learned everything myself: construction, repair, weight balance... I subscribed to all the sailing magazines of the time, Loisirs Nautiques, Bateaux, I have all the Nauticus (maritime encyclopedia for boat building and repair) and I bought dozens of books to help me in my construction. For several years, I made good progress, but life slowed down my project. In 2006, an inheritance enabled me to build my own house near Cannes with my wife, and between 2006 and 2016, the boat was put on hold.
Le Bateau Today
Since 2016, I've resumed construction, but the motivation and energy are no longer the same. The boat is at an advanced stage:
- The hull, made of strip planking, is finished, painted and epoxy-laminated.
- The interior layout is almost complete, with a galley, U-shaped saloon, cabins and two toilets.
- I acquired most of the equipment: winches, cleats, anchors, windlass, steering wheel, marine toilets, battery chargers and much more equipment that I hunted for years scouring nautical flea markets.
What remains to be done: electricity, plumbing, interior finishing, installation of fittings and rigging, and final exterior painting. There's about a year's work left for two motivated people.
An invitation to make this dream come true
I'm at a point where I can no longer finish this project. That's why I'm proposing to give the boat to people ready to finish it, with 2 possible configurations:
- On site: The boat can be completed in my garden near Cannes. I provide the gîte and my expertise to guide the work.
- Moveable: the boat can also be moved by special convoy, or launched and towed to a construction site for completion.
This boat is much more than just a sailboat. It's the fruit of decades of dreams, passion and hard work.
If you're a handyman, a sailing enthusiast, and you're interested in this project, please get in touch.
I've left my e-mail address with the Bateaux.com editorial team, who will forward your answers to me.
See you soon,
Laurent Martinez.
