A project which is about to become a reality since the construction of the boat began in September at the Pech'Alu shipyard in Inzinzac-Lochrist. The installation of the bridge is in progress. Once completed, painted and electrically pre-equipped, the aluminum hull will be transferred at the end of January 2025 to Bosco charpente marine in Saint-Philibert. The site, where annual work is carried out on the company's five boats, will create the wooden structure which will accommodate the 60 passengers. The launch is scheduled for mid-April, for commissioning in May once certifications from Maritime Affairs and Bureau Véritas have been obtained.
“It took time because the project evolved a lot. We're building version 7! It is a successful project, supported by very in-depth studies,” underline the three co-managers, Ronan Le Borgne, Jérôme Morverand and Henri Louis. Exit the initial idea of green hydrogen. The electric motor will be there, with classic earth charging during the night. It will be supplemented by a renewable mode of propulsion which is on the rise: sailing. And in an innovative approach. If several sailing catamarans have launched into passenger transport in recent years, the Arzon SME has used its constraints to ask Loys Leclercq, naval architect at L20 Naval, to imagine the greenest boat and the performance possible.
Navigate in real life
The line was chosen from the start: Port-Navalo-Locmariaquer, currently used by nearly 8,000 passengers in July-August on “L’étoile du gulf”. “A speed of 5 knots is enough for us to keep our schedules,” recalls Henri Louis. “We’re going to sail for real, playing with the counter-currents and the wind,” smiles Ronan Le Borgne. A challenge made possible thanks to an optimized hull, a 95 m² self-tacking genoa equipped with a hydraulic furler and an electric winch. Like the other boats in the flotilla, Pass'Avel will therefore be maneuverable by a skipper and a sailor.
The company has prioritized local know-how as much as possible for this great adventure. “At nearly a million euros, Pass'Avel is 15 times more expensive than our most expensive boat…”, summarizes Jérôme Morverand. It was thanks to the maritime intervention fund and its bank that the company was able to get started. With one constraint: sailing the comfortable Pass'Avel all year round, for seminars and other private events. Without the noise or vibration of an engine, it should appeal. “The feedback is already enthusiastic,” relishes Jérôme Morverand. The sailors are impatient.
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