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Narrow, long, and rigged as a yawl, the Cigare Rouge is unlike any other 60-footer. In this video tour, Sidney Gavignet showcases the former boat of Jean-Luc Van den Heede (VDH), who finished second in the 1992?1993 Vendée Globe. Sidney Gavignet, a seasoned sailor, explains why it took him nearly a year to understand the boat?s balance.
A narrow cockpit and an unconventional deck layout
The skipper begins the tour in the cockpit, which is particularly narrow?the source of the boat?s nickname. Designed in the late 1980s for Jean-Luc Van den Heede, this 60-footer from 1991 was optimized for downwind sailing. A last-minute modification transformed its rigging from a sloop to a yawl with the addition of a tapecul, in order to improve its ability to tack.
A series of technical developments
Inside, Sidney Gavignet discusses the modifications made since the boat was restored. After replacing the original keel with one from Michel Desjoyeaux?s former Foncia, a forward centerboard and an enlarged rudder were installed to restore good balance under sail. The boat has also been refitted to accommodate a crew, with additional berths and a bathroom.
Despite being 3.70 m wide and 18.28 m long, the Cigare Rouge remains a strong contender in IRC racing. According to Sidney Gavignet, she regularly competes with newer Class40s, thanks to her ability to tack effectively and sail very close-hauled. The video also offers a chance to explore her backstays, ballast tanks, and vintage sails?such as the butterfly genoa?as well as this season?s sailing program, which includes regattas and open-sea cruises for crews.
