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The launch of the Rustler 36 Solarem marks the transition from shipyard to sailing for Damien Guillou in the Golden Globe Race.
Back in the water after a complete refit
The yacht was thoroughly dismantled over the winter. Each component was checked and then reassembled, with targeted technical adjustments. The work concerned the structure, fittings and onboard systems. The aim is to get the boat back on a sound footing before the preparatory sailings.
Damien Guillou sums up the moment, " It's always a great moment to launch a boat you've worked so hard on"
The sea program begins immediately after refloating. The boat sails with all equipment on board to reproduce round-the-world conditions.
Food, safety equipment, spare parts and navigation equipment are installed on board. This configuration enables us to check the behavior of the loaded yacht. The skipper explains, " Now it's time to sail. Get into round-the-world configuration, with all the gear, and fine-tune every detail."
A yacht in the spirit of the Golden Globe Race
The Rustler 36 respects the rules of racing. She sails without modern electronics or autopilot. Power generation relies in part on solar panels, with limited management of the resources available on board.
This type of configuration calls for traditional navigation, based on observation, mechanical instruments and manual adjustments.
Adjustments based on experience
The boat is not new to Damien Guillou. It's the same boat he used on his previous participation. Modifications have been made based on experience gained at sea. They relate to specific points, linked to use and ergonomics on board.
The skipper explains, " I've made some modifications, some small changes. That's also what's interesting, improving things, optimizing" After this launch, the program continues with sailing. One outing follows another in a variety of conditions to validate the boat's overall performance.
The start of the Golden Globe Race is set for September 6, 2026.
