Introduce your pet to the boat gradually

Introduce your pet to the boat gradually, starting with short trips and gradually increasing the duration of the trips. This will help your pet become accustomed to the motion of the boat. Familiarize your pet with the various sounds and smells of the boat. This can help reduce anxiety and stress during the trip.

Before you leave

Travel regulations for animals vary from country to country so make sure to inform yourself ahead of time about the necessary documentation as well as the regulations about animal quarantine in your chosen travel destination. It’s best to contact the local authorities for this information. With as many people opting for the different profiles of veterinary jobs available, you can get in touch with any one of them, and clear all your doubts, before you set to set to sail with your pet.

If you’re traveling in Europe, for example, you will need a pet passport which needs to be signed by an officially approved veterinary surgeon.

You should also make sure that your pet is microchipped, as this is a requirement in almost every country.

Take care to keep your pet’s vaccination record up to date and plan ahead if you think your pet might need additional vaccines.

Sailing with pets is easily done but it’s advisable to start planning early, as vaccines and applying for documentation can take a while.

Before booking a boat for your sailing holiday, ask your charter agency whether they welcome animals on board or whether you need to plan with certain extra costs.

Safety on board when sailing with pets

If your pet is active, and depending on weather conditions, it might be advisable to secure the outside of the boat with a net.

Furthermore, cats and dogs should always wear life jackets on board (as should their owners, of course).

You can also use a harness if it’s too warm outside for your animal to wear a vest. That way your pet will be more comfortable and you can still easily help it out of the water. You can get different harnesses for different dogs so make sure you get a suitable harness that fits securely. Check out www.jugdog.co.uk to look at the pros and cons of various harnesses.

When choosing a pet flotation device, there are a few things you should consider:

1. Size: Make sure the flotation device fits your pet properly. It should be snug enough to stay in place, but not so tight that it restricts movement or causes discomfort.
2. Buoyancy: The flotation device should provide enough buoyancy to keep your pet afloat in the water.
3. Visibility: Choose a flotation device that is brightly colored or has reflective strips, so your pet is easy to spot in the water.
4. Durability: The flotation device should be made of high-quality materials that can withstand rough conditions.
5. Ease of use: Look for a flotation device that is easy to put on and take off, and that has adjustable straps to ensure a secure fit.
6. Comfort: Make sure the flotation device is comfortable for your pet to wear.

Toilet

Going to the toilet on the high seas can be especially tricky for dogs. Think about constructing a special dog toilet, like a patch of fake lawn or a cat toilet filled with sand.

Try and acquaint your dog with this new technique at home, so it will feel comfortable from the minute it sets foot on board.

If you think this isn’t an option for your pet, plan shorter sailing trips of around 3-5 hours so that your dog can comfortably go on land. Even though cats have it significantly easier, please remember that you should place the cat toilet below deck where it is more stable.

Sun protection and sea sickness

Animals can get seasick on a sailing holiday, just like us humans. Make sure that there are always enough shaded areas onboard for your pet to take a rest, and that there is always fresh water available.

It’s easier on your pet’s stomach if you halve food portions. There are many remedies available (even from human medicine) should your four-legged friend still become sick. Ask your favorite vet about putting together a little first-aid kit!

Further tips for sailing with pets

Playing on the beach and in the water can be a real treat, especially for dogs. But remember that even on board, when the rest of the family is relaxing in the sun, your little one shouldn’t be allowed to get bored.

So pack enough toys and make sure that your pet is always occupied.

Create a little personal corner on the boat where your cat or dog can feel safe if they want to relax during your sailing holiday. Put some blankets or toys from home in this corner, so that your pet will feel as comfortable as possible.

The post Everything You Need To Know About Sailing With Pets appeared first on Sail Universe.

At 40 years of age, the South African Kirsten Neuschäfer completed an eight-month long journey, alone in the face of the elements, without contact, collecting rainwater to survive. Her feat is all the more impressive as her world tour was marked by a rescue. In the heart of the Indian Ocean, she helped Finnish sailor Tapio Lehtinen. Kirsten welcomed him on her boat before he was transferred to a cargo ship and Kirsten continued her journey.

Kirsten’s performance is as unprecedented as it is impressive. The first woman to round Cape Horn in a race last February, she also became the first to win a race around the world. Many in the world of ocean racing are congratulating the South African. Yann Eliès, a regular in the sailing world, praises the sailor who “loves adventure with a capital A“.

“What she has achieved is incredible,” said Catherine Chabaud, the first woman to complete the Vendée Globe (1996-1997). “There is something extraordinary in the air,” said the sailor.

The post Kirsten Neuschäfer Makes history as the First Woman to Win the Golden Globe Race appeared first on Sail Universe.

Maui, Hawaii

One of the most beautiful places in the United States to sail is Maui, Hawaii. With a host of beaches, docks and boating excursions available, you can choose what strikes your fancy. Even if the winter winds and snows are oppressing your native city, you can travel to Hawaii year-round. The warm winds — with more than 30 names, according to the Hawaiians — are friendly for novice to expert sailors alike.

San Juan Islands, Washington State

If tropical waters aren’t your thing, perhaps a sailing trip to Washington State in the United States will meet your traveler’s desires. Specifically, the San Juan Islands area, closer to Canadian mainland than the United States, gives sailors a year-round sailing experience with various ports of call. While the Pacific Northwest is known for its snows, the San Juan Islands aren’t nearly as treacherous; however, veteran sailors do recommend not sailing in the chilly waters between November to early April.

Norwegian Fjords

If you’ve always wanted to sail the seas and oceans near Europe, then look no further than one of Europe’s hidden gems: the Norwegian Fjords. In addition to mild blue waters, this area offers some picturesque views nearby scenery and the fjords, which were created by glaciers during the final ice age. While sailing, point your attention to waterfalls, shores with small villages and beautiful mountain peaks.

The French Riviera

If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway with a celebrity flair, then The French Riviera in the South of France could be a viable option. It’s one of the most well-known sailing destinations in the world, with Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Monaco and other destinations on the map. Just be sure to pack some of your best attire if you plan to stop at some yacht clubs!

Whitsundays

The Whitsundays in Australia are known around the world for being one of the best locations for sailing in the world. Its tropical atmosphere and sprawling beaches will keep you company as you sail individually or as part of a group. Like many locations, The Whitsundays offer year-round sailing, with warm winters and even hotter summers. While on the water, you can stop to snorkel in The Great Barrier Reef, spot whales when they migrate north or enter one of 300 annual yacht races.

The post Five Best Places Where To Sail At Least One Time In Your Life appeared first on Sail Universe.

If in our famous sailors Top 15 there isn’t your hero, do not worry: write it in the comments below the article!

Peter Blake (1948-2001)
When he made the exploits: 1990, 1994
Sailor and environmentalist. Among the many exploits, Peter is one of the most famous sailors of all time. He won the Whitbread 1989/90 on board ketch Steinlager II and in ’94 the Jules Verne Trophy with Robin Knox-Johnston.

Chay Blyth (1940)
When he made the exploit: 1971
His name is carved in history. He was the first in 1971 to circumnavigate the globe single-handed without stopping from east to west, against the winds and currents, onboard the 59 foot British Steel.

Franck Cammas (1972)
When he made the exploit: 2010, 2012
His records list is very long. We have chosen the Jules Verne Trophy in 2010 and the victory of the Volvo Ocean Race in 2012 onboard VOR70 Groupama.

Francis Chichester (1901-72)
When he made the exploit: 1966-67
Aged 65: the creator of the Ostar sails from Plymouth onboard 16 meters Gipsy Moth IV and launches in the round the world solo, who turns in 274 days. A myth.

Olivier De Kersauson (1944)
When he made the exploits: 1989, 1997, 2004
The king of the multihulls is always a record hunter. In 1989 he establishes the primacy of the round the world solo, in 1997 and in 2004 he won the Jules Verne onboard the trimaran Geronimo.

Michel Desjoyeaux (1965)
When he made the exploits: 2001, 2009
“The professor” won everyhing He made history by triumphing twice at Vendée Globe, the only sailor in the world (in 2001 and 2009 onboard Open 60 Foncia).

Alessandro Di Benedetto (1971)
When he made the exploit: 2009
In 2009, Alessandro Di Benedetto has been around the world in solitary without stopping on the smallest boat ever, a 6.5 m Findomestic, employing 268 days.

Bernard Gilboy (1852-1906)
When he made the exploit: 1882-83
In 1882, Bernard Gilboy sailed a 19-foot (6 m) schooner that he built himself from San Francisco 7,000 miles (11,265 km) miles across the Pacific in 162 days until he was picked up exhausted and starving off Queensland, Australia after a swordfish pierced his hull and he lost the rudder.

Francis Joyon (1956)
When he made the exploit: 2008
He is the fastest one. Joyon holds the record of the round the world solo, completed in 2008 on the trimaran Idec (57 days, 13 hours and 34 minutes).

Robin Knox-Johnston (1939)
When he made the exploits: 1968, 1994, 2007
In 1969 he became the first man to perform a single-handed non-stop circumnavigation of the globe and was the second winner of the Jules Verne Trophy (together with Sir Peter Blake). For this he was awarded with Blake the ISAF Yachtsman of the Year award. In 2006 he became at 67 the oldest yachtsman to complete a round the world solo voyage in the VELUX 5 Oceans Race.

Bernard Moitessier (1925-1994)
When he made the exploits: 1965, 1968
Maybe he is the most famous sailors of all time (together with Eric Tabarly). In 1968 Moitessier participated in the Sunday Times Golden Globe Race, the first round the world yacht race. With the fastest circumnavigation time, Moitessier was the likely winner but he elected to continue onto Tahiti again and not return to the start line in England, rejecting the idea of the commercialization of long distance sailing.

Loïck Peyron (1959)
When he made the exploits: 2012, 2014
In 2012 he won the Jules Verne Trophy onboard Banque Populaire V. In November 2014, he won the Route du Rhum single-handed transat on Banque Populaire VII maxi trimaran. He set the new record, travelling from Brittany to Guadeloupe in 7 days 15 hours 8 minutes and 32 seconds (22.93 kts average speed).

Ernest Henry Shackleton (1874-1921) 
When he made the exploit: 1916
He was a polar explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic. He needed to the crossing of Antarctica from sea to sea, via the pole. To this end he made preparations for what became the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17. Disaster struck this expedition when its ship, Endurance, became trapped in pack ice and was slowly crushed before the shore parties could be landed. The crew escaped by camping on the sea ice until it disintegrated, then by launching the lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and ultimately the inhabited island of South Georgia, a stormy ocean voyage of 720 nautical miles.

Joshua Slocum 1844-1909
When he made the exploit: 1895-98
He was the first man to sail single-handedly around the world. In 1900 he wrote a book about his journey Sailing Alone Around the World, which became an international best-seller. He disappeared in November 1909 while aboard his boat, the Spray.

Eric Tabarly 1931-1998
When he made the exploits: 1964, 1980
Maybe he is the most famous sailors of all time (together with Bernard Moitessier). In 1964, Tabarly raced in the Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race on Pen Duick II and won, with a time of twenty-seven days and three hours. In 1980, Tabarly sailed the trimaran Paul Ricard for a transatlantic race, beating Charlie Barr’s transatlantic record. He has been the first sailor to experience the foils.

The post 15 famous sailors of all time. Who is the best for you? appeared first on Sail Universe.

Over the years, some of the greatest French sailors – men and women – have taken part in the crewed round the world race, among them Éric Tabarly, Olivier de Kersauson, André Viant and his daughters Sylvie and Bénédicte, Bernard Deguy, Éric Loizeau, Philippe Poupon, Lionel Péan, Florence Arthaud, Christine Briand, Halvard Mabire, Isabelle Autissier, Sébastien Josse, Pierre Mas, Jean-Yves Bernot, Christine Guillou, Hervé Jan, Alain Gabbay, Michel Desjoyeaux, Jean Le Cam, Roland Jourdain, Eugène Riguidel, Sidney Gavignet, Jacques Vincent, Franck Cammas, Jean-Luc Nélias, Charles Caudrelier, Pascal Bidégorry, Kevin Escoffier, Jérémie Beyou, Marie Riou, Nicolas Lunven and Anthony Marchand. In fact, France is the second most represented nation since the event began nearly 50 years ago, a sure sign of the event’s appeal…

100 books chosen by a future academic and more than 100 bottles of great wine per leg

“In 1973, I competed in the first leg aboard Kriter with Michel Malinovsky in the role of skipper and Jack Grout as owner. Given the atmosphere on board, I packed up my bag and sailed the second and third leg on Pen Duick VI with Éric Tabarly,” said Bernard Deguy, former captain of Commander Cousteau’s Alcyone. At 83 years of age, the French sailor is as fit as a fiddle and has just completed his umpteenth transatlantic passage aboard an 8.50-metre production boat.

After his experience with Tabarly, Deguy came back for another go. “I went on to sell my share of the family property, which didn’t even represent a quarter of the value of Neptune, the boat I’d just purchased,” he said. “I was in debt at that point. Back then, we did things on a shoestring. I was 37 and responsible for all the project management. I was oblivious to what a round the world race was all about. I found the first Whitbread Round the World Race with Tabarly to be relatively easy, so I couldn’t envisage any difficulty in having another crack at it with friends and family members. I believe that if we can climb Mont Blanc together, we’ll also be able to climb Everest…”

Before the voyage, Deguy put together a reading panel with the future academic, Bertrand Poirot-Delpech, and his cousin Michel Deguy, a philosopher and poet. “When we set sail from Saint-Malo and headed to the race start in Portsmouth, each of the ten crew received ten books free of charge and were tasked with reading them… something that would be quite unthinkable today in The Ocean Race. We also had 400 bottles of wine, which equates to 100 per leg – a Bordeaux grand cru gifted by one of former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing’s brothers-in-law.”

A marriage proposal in Cape Town

Éric Loizeau, a talented young French sailor, climbed aboard Pen Duick VI to learn the ropes with Tabarly, before becoming the skipper of Gauloises 2 (ex Pen Duick III) during the Whitbread 1977-1978. During a stopover in South Africa in the midst of apartheid during the Triangle Atlantique, a preparatory race for the round the world contest, Loizeau was approached by a young woman. “She was a student and the only daughter of Afrikaner doctors, and asked if I would marry her, though not seriously… Indeed, she was keen to use this promise of marriage to a young Frenchman to help her leave her country and a racial policy that so appalled her… A few days later, we headed over to the city hall in Cape Town hand-in-hand, where I signed a few papers so she could obtain her visa. On the day of the race start, we bade each other farewell, exchanging a few loving kisses under the mocking gaze of my crewmates, who were familiar with the story…”

Drawing a veil over amateurism and washing with Harpic

“The Whitbread was already a truly international race by then, not a ‘Franco-French’ type race, but an eclectic, informal mix of multi-millionaires and the stone-broke. With the Volvo Ocean Race came professionalism, which was a big step from what we were doing,” said Bernard Deguy, laughing. “At that stage, we left the ‘informed amateur’ world and stepped up to very strong athletes who were real all-rounders…”

Alain Gabbay, a 23-year-old Mediterranean with frizzy hair, took part in the 1977-1978 edition on 33 Export. Sailed by a somewhat relaxed crew with plenty of pluck, the boat was soon nicknamed ‘la poubelle jaune’ (yellow trashcan) by the French press and fellow competitors, given how filthy it was at every leg finish. Cleaning didn’t seem to be a priority aboard the 1968 Mauric design. At the finish in Rio de Janeiro and before going clubbing, the crew – who were “absolutely humming” – decided to spruce themselves up. There was no toothpaste aboard so they decided to clean their teeth with Harpic, a powerful descaling agent for toilets… How the gums reacted is anyone’s guess, but Gabbay’s talent for racing certainly made an impression, winning over the champagne brand Charles Heidsieck three years later and building a boat specifically for the race, which would see him finish second behind Flyer 2.

“After my initial experience on 33 Export, I’d got my head around a few things,” said Gabbay. “As a result, we laid the foundations for a more professional outfit. We had a boat that we’d chosen, devised, had designed and built, with a partner which had the budget and above all the time to complete a test campaign. We were fairly confident at the start in September 1981 in Portsmouth. There had never been so many entries: 29 crews at the start. I’d selected Gilles Vaton to design Charles Heidsieck III, because he’d worked with André Mauric and had helped me out on 33 Export. The deck was only three millimetres thick. We were already obsessed with making boats as light as possible, which enabled us to save nearly 600 kilos in the structure. The event was run on a corrected time handicap.” Later on, Gabbay would launch Charles Jourdan. On her third Whitbread, Florence Arthaud was notably invited to crew for him.

A male lead by the name of Desjoyeaux

“I first encountered Éric Tabarly through his books. I must have been 10 or 12,” recalled Michel Desjoyeaux. “However, my first face-to-face meeting with him wasn’t until 1984, at 19, when Jean Le Cam, who’d competed in the 1981 Whitbread, invited him over to his house. In the year in question, my friend Roland Jourdain was participating in La Solitaire du Figaro, and Pen Duick VI was the support boat for the race. Tabarly was looking for crew. Jean introduced me to him that day so I could apply. Two days later, we went out for a quick sail off Bénodet. We had to put in a few manoeuvres, one of which involved us hoisting a large genoa with the clew flogging around. We’d forgotten to tie a second sheet onto it, which meant it was impossible to tack. I quickly clambered up to the clew, holding on with one hand and tying a bowline with the other, and then I promptly climbed back down. Éric looked at it and said: ‘it’s good, let’s tack.’ He took me on.

“Above all, you learned not to get annoyed and not to fear the elements,” added Desjoyeaux. “I remember sailing flat out in the Indian Ocean in massive seas. We’d just blown out a spinnaker that was more than 300 square metres. Éric asked: ‘what do we have left in the way of spinnakers?’ There was a smaller one and a much bigger one. He said: ‘OK then, we’ll hoist the bigger one.’ I think we ripped that one too later on. Nothing ever scared him.”

The rest is history. French sailor Desjoyeaux competed in two Whitbreads with his master, before going onto become the most successful solo sailor of all time, winning three Figaros, the OSTAR, the Route du Rhum and two Vendée Globes. ‘Mich Desj’, like a number of French racers, ranks among those who have experienced the Whitbread, later renamed the Volvo Ocean Race and today known as The Ocean Race, as well as IMOCAs. He’s not alone, as Sébastien Josse, Marc Guillemot, Charles Caudrelier, Kevin Escoffier, Pascal Bidégorry, Jérémie Beyou, Nicolas Lunven… to name but a few, know an IMOCA inside out.

Jérémie Beyou: “an addictive race!”

Jérémie Beyou, another triple Solitaire du Figaro champion, won the last Volvo Ocean Race in 2017-18 as part of the crew on Dongfeng Race Team skippered by Charles Caudrelier. “I quickly understood that it was an addictive race, just as Carolijn Brouwer (crew aboard the boat) had told me,” said Beyou. “I’d done a fair amount of crewed sailing at one point… and it was great to get back into it. You’re just there to sail, focused solely on the competition and the water. Not a minute goes by without you snatching back a centimetre here or easing off a centimetre there. In fact, it’s kind of like going back to the basics of sailing, with the synergy of helm-trimmers”.

Charles Caudrelier and his mainstays Pascal Bidégorry and Kevin Escoffier 

Caudrelier is the last French sailor winner of the crewed round the world race, having also won it in 2012 with Franck Cammas. When we asked him about pairing up with Pascal Bidégorry, the navigator who famously took a daring winning option in the final tack to Holland after nine months of racing, the answer was clear: “Pascal was kind of the hardcore of our project, but you have to add Kevin Escoffier to the mix. We were a group of three and it had to work between us. That’s also part and parcel of The Ocean Race.”

Escoffier agrees: “This crewed round the world race in foiling IMOCAs will be just fabulous.”

The post The Story of French Sailors Around the Globe… in Crewed Format appeared first on Sail Universe.

The genesis of Sun Fast 30 One Design

This design project for a 30-foot one-design offshore racer was imagined by UNCL-Racing Division from the Yacht Club de France, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (UK) and the Storm Trysail Club (US), aimed to encourage the discipline, to make sailing more accessible and to train the new generation.
The VPLP Design/Multiplast association won the international call for projects “Class 30: Let’s Build the Future” competition.
The Sun Fast 30 One Design, designed by VPLP Design, benefits after intensive studies from a powerful and versatile modern hull (semi-scow), adapted to an offshore purpose.
Multiplast brings all its cutting-edge expertise to the conception of this one-design monohull down to the smallest detail to offer a seaworthy, well-equipped, and accessible boat thanks to its ease of maintenance and limited budget.

The partnership

United by common values, Jeanneau and Multiplast are joining forces and respective expertise around this forward-looking project in the world of ocean racing.
Multiplast brings on the one hand, its expertise in the conception and development of offshore racing boats. On the other, takes care of the relations with the clubs responsible of the launch and animation of the Class and race programme as well as the sales supervision to support Jeanneau’s distribution network.
Jeanneau will manufacture the Sun Fast 30 One Design in its boatyard in Cheviré, near Nantes. In addition to its agility and industrial capacity, Jeanneau provides all the services, guarantees and technical support offered by its organization and its global distribution network.

Beyond performance, respect for biodiversity and aquatic environments is at the heart of the actions of the two brands.
This explains the particular attention that has been given to innovation and eco-design, in accordance with the initial specifications of the competition, with a global consideration for the construction phase, the boat’s usage and way of sailing.

The revolution of this project relates to the use of Elium® resin, a thermoplastic resin by Arkema. This resin has the particularity of being made of 20% recycled material but also of being recyclable.
Therefore, it plays a role during the whole life cycle of the boat. First, it makes production waste recyclable. It also allows the deconstruction and recycling of all composite parts thanks to the separation of the fibres and the matrix.

This resin has the same mechanical properties as traditional resin. It allows construction at similar weight and maintains the performance and reliability of this new model. The Sun Fast 30 One Design will be the first serie-production recyclable sailboat.

This development is the result of more than 3 years of R&D within Bénéteau Group to develop with Arkema a grade of Elium® resin suitable for boating.
In addition, two engines are offered, a traditional thermal engine and an electric one with the same weight, without consequence for the one-design.

The post Jeanneau and Multiplast Team Up to Develop Sun Fast 30 One Design Yacht appeared first on Sail Universe.

The Ocean Race, the world’s toughest test of a team in sport, and Ocean Bottle, the award winning reusable bottles tackling the ocean plastic crisis, one refill at a time, are working together to reduce the volume of single-use plastic that ends up in the seas.

A special-edition bottle to commemorate The Ocean Race 2022-23 will be launched through the partnership, which will enable the equivalent of 4.5 million single-use ocean-bound* plastic bottles to be collected, enabled through the use of the Ocean Bottle in the Race’s guest experience programme and availability for purchase in retail outlets.

Andrew Lamb, Head of Partnership Development at The Ocean Race said: “In the race to protect the ocean, there’s no time to waste, so joining forces with partners like Ocean Bottle, who share our mission for healthy seas, is vital to accelerate action.

“As sailors we see first-hand how plastic pollution is choking the ocean. If things don’t change there will be more plastic in the marine environment than fish by 20501. Ocean Bottle is making a real difference, last year alone it stopped nearly 2.5 million kgs of plastic from entering the ocean. Together we can have a positive impact and inspire even more action.”

Each Ocean Bottle prevents the equivalent of 1,000 plastic bottles from entering the ocean via social plastic collection programmes in which community members are paid or provided with other benefits for collecting ocean-bound plastic. These programmes help to empower vulnerable communities with a path out of poverty.

The product also contains a smart chip, which takes people through to an app where they can discover more actions they can take to help the seas. One Blue Voice, The Ocean Race’s campaign for a Universal Declaration of Ocean Rights, will also be highlighted, with a QR code to drive consumers to the petition where they can add their support.

The special-edition bottle will be available in The Ocean Race online store from November, just ahead of the start of the Race, which sets sail from Alicante, Spain, in January 2023. Throughout the six-month event, the bottle will be on sale in Ocean Live Parks, the dedicated race villages in the nine host cities around the world. It will also be available in The Ocean Race Museum store in Alicante and will be gifted to Race guests during stopovers.

Through The Ocean Race’s Racing with Purpose sustainability programme, which was developed in collaboration with founding partner and Premier Partner of the race 11th Hour Racing, the round-the-world sailing event is working to improve ocean health with a diverse range of audiences, including driving action around ocean plastic. This includes pushing decision-makers on plastic policy, cutting single-use plastic in race villages, equipping teams with onboard scientific equipment to measure microplastics in the water as they race and inspiring children to take action through Learning programmes that have reached more than 180,000 students across the world.

The post The Ocean Race and Ocean Bottle team up to tackle plastic in the seas appeared first on Sail Universe.

All five crews are racing in Lorient this week at the annual Défi Azimut – Lorient Agglomération regatta where all but one of them, Kevin Escoffier’s Holcim – PRB, are sailing with four crew and one onboard reporter (OBR), as per The Ocean Race regulations.

Speaking to an audience of invited media on Tuesday evening Boris Herrmann, skipper of the German-flagged entry Team Malizia, said he felt that a “new era in offshore sailing” was beginning with the advent of fully-crewed IMOCAs racing around the world.   

“It is a very different style of sailing in these boats. It’s very technological and for the crew work everyone is much more multifaceted and at a higher level. It is really a new generation of sailors that is needed for this race.”

Echoing Herrmann’s comments, 11th Hour Racing Team skipper Charlie Enright (USA) said the challenge of building a team for such a new-style of racing had been different to his two previous VO65 campaigns – Team Alvimedica in 2014-15, and Vestas 11th Hour in 2017-18.

“I think what this race is going to be remains to be seen. It has never happened before so how you go about building a team isn’t totally clear. 

“The ratio of the technical team to the sailors has basically inverted. In the last race it was nine sailors on board and five in the shore team, now it takes a small army to keep these things going. They are very technical, very advanced and there is a lot of design, so it’s definitely a different experience.“

France’s Benjamin Dutreux – skipper of GUYOT environnement – Team Europe raced to ninth in the last Vendée Globe aboard a non-foiling boat and went on to win last year’s inaugural edition of The Ocean Race Europe also on a non-foiling boat.

Now, along with co-skipper Robert Stanjek (GER), Dutreux and the rest of the team are excited to take on The Ocean Race on foils, but acknowledge they have a lot to catch up on.

“I can’t wait to live this story with the team, it’s huge. It is a dream to do it so I am very happy. Now we just need to go fast and learn about this foiling boat. It is the first year for me on a foiling boat. I started four months ago and it’s the first week for the team – so we need to learn quickly.”

Portuguese Olympian and past match racing world champion Mariana Lobato is racing with Paul Meilhat (FRA) on the very recently launched Biotherm. 

Lobato won The Ocean Race Europe on the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Team VO65 but said she had quickly discovered how different an experience it was sailing an IMOCA. She said her teamwork experience was what she hoped to bring to her new team. 

“We don’t have a lot of time together – we sailed together for the first time today. I am super happy to have this opportunity to learn. My goal is to learn event day and I know I will learn a lot because we have a lot to do.”

Holcim – PRB skipper Kevin Escoffier said he was delighted to be making a return to The Ocean Race for the third time after finishing third in 2014-15 before winning in 2017-18 – both with Dongfeng Race Team.

“I am very happy to be back as a skipper. We are looking forward to being at the start and to compete against these great teams. I am sure we will have great racing with these fast and very impressive boats. We are going to cities that haven’t seen that many monohulls flying and I think they will be very happy to see us.”

After the Défi Azimut the next milestone for all the teams except 11th Hour Racing Team is the solo Route du Rhum transatlantic race from St Malo to Guadeloupe starting November 6.

All five teams will then regroup at The Ocean Race headquarters in Alicante, Spain this December ahead of the start of the race’s first leg to the mid-Atlantic African archipelago Cabo Verde on January 15, 2023, alongside the one-design VO65 fleet.

The post IMOCA crews set their sights on a new era of ocean racing appeared first on Sail Universe.

The J/45 can be sailed solo, cruised by 2-3 couples or large family, and pleasure sailed or raced with room for the whole crew. This is an investment-grade sailboat that won’t require a professional crew to sail, handle or maintain.

J/45, built with advanced technology

The J/45 is built strong by J/Composites (in the Vendee region of France) with the latest advanced composite resin infusion technology – twice as strong as hand-laid fiberglass boats. J/Composites was the first European-based shipyard to adopt the patented SCRIMP resin infusion system in the mid-’90s and is now one of the most experienced sailboat builders in the world for sandwich/infusion construction.

Anchoring the internal structure of the J/45 hull is an extensive composite grid and series of structural composite bulkheads that are bonded to the hull and deck.

The combination of advanced composite construction, an easily driven hull shape, and low center-of-gravity results in the stability and smooth sailing motion normally reserved for larger yachts. The J/45 comes to critical components like composite materials, keel, spars, winches, and deck hardware, which all contribute to a comfortable motion while sailing.

With the J/45, the same main and jib combination that performs in 6 knots of wind can be “de-powered” to perform in 20 knots – no sail change needed. This cuts crew work in half compared to constant sail-changing needed on heavier cruisers.

J/Boats J/45: the interiors

The J/45 breaks new ground for J/Boats for interior design and comfort thanks to French interior designer Isabelle Racoupeau. Working in close collaboration with the J/Composites Shipyard, Racoupeau has brought her vast experience in cruising yacht design to create a beautifully finished and elegant interior befitting the newest cruising J. 

Owners may choose from a two cabin/two head or a three cabin/two head interior arrangement. One can further personalize the interior finish with three choices of wood (white oak, teak, or walnut) and extensive upholstery options. A wide range of onboard systems is available (air conditioning, heat, sound system, etc) to enhance cruising comfort.

The post J/Boats J/45, a Bluewater Model Conceived By Life-Long Sailors appeared first on Sail Universe.

Speaking at the presentation, Outremer CEO, Xavier Desmarest said “We are delighted to present our new catamaran at the biggest European boat show, a sailboat boasting levels of performance and comfort never achieved before. Outremer’s goal is to help each and every person, whether an experienced sailor or not, to attain their dream of sailing long or short term. The Outremer 52 is a manifestation of this, carefully designed based on the feedback from owners and friends of the brand. It is on board our safe, seaworthy and comfortable catamarans that the shipyard promises to accompany all owners at each stage of their project.”

Genesis of the Outremer 52

The Outremer 52 has been designed based on the observation of the owners’ needs and uses. While performance and safety have always been the basis for the design of Outremer catamarans, simplicity of navigation and quality of life on board are the two essential components that complete the specifications of Outremer teams. Surrounded by the best naval architects (VPLP), and great names in French design (Patrick Le Quément, Darnet Design, Saguez & Partners), the Outremer shipyard has engineered a smart and seaworthy boat for the ultimate bluewater cruising experience.

Seaworthiness

Since the performance of a catamaran is largely determined by its weight, ingenuity was required to build the structure of this new model. An innovative technology developed by the Gunboat shipyard (also a member of the Grand Large Yachting Group), has made it possible to reduce the weight of the structure, while maintaining a high level of resistance. This has made it possible to increase the glass surfaces and openings in the boat that allows crews the reassuring benefit from increased visibility during navigation, regardless of their position in the saloon or cockpit.

The Outremer 52 is a reliable boat that is easy to maneuver, whether sailing offshore or in port. It adapts to all weather conditions and crews, large or small, for a reassuring navigation experience. The controls can be brought back to the cockpit to avoid having to go up on the deck. The wheel, positioned on the starboard side, guarantees a perfect control of the boat in good weather, with an exceptional visibility on the sails. It can also be placed in a low position in the cockpit, to allow crews to sail in the sun or in bad weather under the shelter of the bimini top.

Smart

This new model has been designed to make life on board easier in all circumstances. While it benefits from the upgrades of the Outremer 55, such as the different helm positions, the front view from the saloon and the helm bench adapted for two people, the Outremer 52 goes even further. The architectural communication between the interior and exterior living spaces allows for better watchkeeping on board: at the bar area in the cockpit, for example, it is possible to have a meal while continuing to keep watch ahead. At night, watches can be taken from the saloon’s bench which was designed in the direction of the navigation.

As for relaxing, it is now possible to do so at the front of the bridgedeck: the fact that the mast has been moved back for better performance also frees up a generous space for lounging. Finally, to optimize the comfort at anchor without compromising the safety of crews during navigation, direct access to the water via the port side skirt is now secured by a one-of-a-kind modular seat.

Comfort on board

Everything has been carefully thought out to allow the enjoyment of every aspect of life on board.

The Outremer 52 is a boat filled with natural light, offering living spaces adapted to long voyages. The common living spaces have been designed to facilitate circulation on board, to extend the feeling of wide-open spaces and to allow for festive moments with family or friends.

The full opening of the bay window allows easy circulation and creates a convivial space between the cockpit and the saloon. The kitchen’s work surface is open to the interior and exterior spaces of the catamaran, and will undoubtedly be a privileged place to meet at any time of the day. At anchor or in light weather in the tropics, the four front openings of the saloon allow excellent ventilation of the spaces. The comfort extends to the cabins: the beds are spacious and easily accessible; the windows on the hulls let the light in with a great view of the scenery.

Whether with a small crew or with family, everyone aboard an Outremer 52 will find pleasure in sailing, in enjoying life at anchor or in gathering for more festive occasions!

The Outremer 52 replaces the Outremer 51, of which over one hundred units were produced by the shipyard. It takes its place alongside the Outremer 55, elected European Boat of the Year and Multihull of the Year in 2022.

Outremer 52 Specs

The post New Outremer 52 Unveiled at Cannes Yachting Festival 2022 appeared first on Sail Universe.