This is an authorized translation in English of a post in French by Vincent Le Roy (@vincentleroy): La Saga PLOUF [Episode 14] : Plouf dans la cour des grands

^{As my primary language is not English, there are probably some mistakes in my translation.}

Remember that the person who speaks here is NOT me, Vincent Celier (@vcelier), but Vincent Le Roy (@vincentleroy), a French guy.

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Note: "Plouf", in French, is an onomatopoeia that phonetically imitates the sound of an object that falls in the water. The equivalent in English would be "Plop" or "Splash". That is a strange name for a boat!

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Brief summary of previous episodes

In January 2016, I am given a boat, a tiny sailboat. A kid's dream. Her name is Plouf. And in fact the canoe is in a state not possible and I do not know much except sailing. I tell you the journey that I traveled with this small boat, that have become my fourth baby! After many renovations and trips to the sea, it's time to race regattas!

Episode 14: Plouf in the big leagues

The Binicaise is a local race, easy-going, in principle organized and reserved by and for the "dixhuitistes" (owners of First 18, they are very popular boats, they work very well and they are exactly 6 metre long!) Of course, my boat is just a meter shorter, but a meter on a sailboat, it's huge. I'm a little boy with Plouf and their boats are mostly of a more modern design. But with all that I did on Plouf, it tickles to go tease them a little!

The race takes place in two rounds, one in the morning and one in the afternoon with stop at the port of Saint Quay Portrieux at lunchtime all together. In other words, a picnic on the pontoon. Nice no? The committee boat (escort) is the boat of Binic Port, Ours Seul. My son Tristan came specifically for the race. I am eager to race with him. We know each other well and we are mastering Plouf!

One of my goals with Plouf was to get closer to my kids and with Tristan, it works well. He is bitten like me. In fact, if we go out when it's dead calm (no wind at all) he's a purist: "No daddy, we do not use the engine to go back ..." Pffff kid bitch, I turn the engine on and we advance to the apparent wind, all sails out! Na but! Who is the boss? I mean the Captain ...

Watch trousers, shift jackets, we are ready. Winds are reported at 30 knots. Limit for Plouf. There we have to make a decision before taking off. Reef or no reef? A reef allows to lower the surface of the canvas of the mainsail. Plouf has a single line of reefs. The First 18 has two. Depending on the strength of the wind, you put them. On some boats, they are automatic, that is to say that the maneuver can be done in real time on the water. On Plouf, everything is done by hand! And from experience it is better to do it at the port. We look at each other with Tristan. So, do we put it on or not? 30 knots, a little swell, for 8 hours ...

The decision is taken during the dockside briefing. We will see at sea. At first, we go full speed. 9:30, everyone is on the water. Ready to board behind the committee boat to cross the start line. TOP!!!! The guy that I am was careful to put the boat to the cape (technique that consists of immobilizing the boat all sails outside but little known paradoxically and especially rarely used). We're just behind Ours Seul. Go go, we change the direction jib and I border the mainsail. Tristan is at the helm. Clean edge transfer. We jibe behind the boat committee: let's go !!!!

The eleven boats launched themselves towards a big buoy off the coast. Upwind is close to the wind which is in principle the fastest pace on the boats. This is not the pace that Plouf prefers. With its mainsail and its battens, it debouches especially in crosswind, but for once this situation suits us well because we will be able to manage the wind and gusts that pick up. In the wind, just push the bar to slow down and shoot to accelerate. It's sporty but it's safe. With Tristan we give ourselves thoroughly. We already have three boats behind us. They are behind us but do not catch us .... We are 8th (out of 11) at this time but the race is just beginning!

Continue to Part 15

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6 - Part 7 - Part 8
Part 9 - Part 10 - Part 11 - Part 12 - Part 13

All photos are property of @vincentleroy and under copyright