CÉTACÉ is the first boat in the series of 15 Flamand built by the famous Boudignon* shipyard in Arles. The special care taken during its construction enabled it to obtain a C.I.M. measurement certificate with awards for quality and originality for being the first boat in a prestigious series.
* The design of the Flamand, as well as the Cap Nord from the Boudignon yard, is by Louis Vernette. Back in early 1932, the famous Royal Corinthian Yacht Club of England launched a competition for a small sailboat capable of sailing the high seas with high performance. From over 60 designs submitted from all over the world, the judges awarded the trophy to a Frenchman, Louis Vernette, merchant navy commander and Cap Hornier. Since then, Vernette has designed numerous small, highly seaworthy boats including the 8.40m Drakkar, the Camargue, the 9.30m Socotroi, the 8.40m and 10.50m Cap Nord and the 11.60m Flamand.
HISTORY
In 1962, a Parisian lawyer ordered this ketch from the Boudignon yard, which would be the first Flamant to leave its workshops. The Boudignon shipyard, located in Arles, built mainly wooden fishing boats, and important pleasure sailboats. Inconstant is her first name and will be little used by Jean Claude Aubry, her first owner, who will sell her on 2 March 1974 to an engraver and medal sculptor, Cardot Claude, and his wife, who will call her Arvi-Pa. With her new owners, she would sail during the summer and be a point of reference for the whole family. A few years later, in 1985, she became CÉTACÉ and for 38 years the owner has shared his life with her. Her base is Villefranche sur mer.
CONSTRUCTION AND ACCOMODATION
CÉTACÉ has a 3.5 tonns cast iron ballast mounted on a lead sole adhered to the oak keel,so that the cast iron is not in direct contact with the wooden keel and corrosion of the wood by contact with ferrous material is avoided. Stainless steel keel bolts. The hull structure is composed of hot-bent double beech ribs, copper riveted to the planking and joined to the keel structure by bolted oak floors. Longitudinal knee stringers and gunwale stringers. The planking consists of 25 mm mahogany planks riveted with copper riveted nails (5000). Watertightness is ensured by a traditional caulking of cotton, oakum and putty. The deck is 10 mm plywood originally covered with a laminate layer screwed onto 60 mm by 80 mm section beams, on which an old-fashioned glued and nailed teak deck was fitted in 2010. The caulking and sikkaflex seams of the teak deck are from 2018.The superstructures are solid mahogany.The bulkheads are 10 mm marine plywood. The mast is stepped on the keel. the deck passage is reinforced with mahogany deck partners between the deckhouse planking . The mizzen mast is supported by a galvanised steel frame. The rudder, on the keel extension, is solid mahogany. The axle, fittings and accessories are in stainless steel.
ACCOMMODATION
CÉTACÉ is a very comfortable boat and easy to carry by two people, but 4 guests fit very well Its mahogany interior is elegant, very well finished and with marine details.
The cabin has a double berth to starboard with anti-roll protection and a double wardrobe with three shelves to port.
The washroom is also to starboard with a marine toilet, washbasin and shower compartment, and to port is a large, tall foul weather gears cupboard with storage above.
The saloon consists of a U-shaped sofa that can be converted into a double bed and a sofa/berth opposite on the port side.
The chart table on the starboard side can be converted into a bunk (perfect for children). Chart table: 50 x 80 cm with storage.
The galley consists of a sink, cooker and cupboards. There is also a refrigerator powered by 220v at the dock or gas at sea.
Fridge: 220 V and 12 V and gas.
Gas cooker: 2 burners.
Fire extinguishers: 2.
Water tanks: 2 to starboard and port 100-litre stainless steel tanks.
220 V water heater: 15 litres.
Bilge pumps: 1 electric with automatic, 1 manual, 1 emergency.
EQUIPMENT
In order to facilitate manoeuvring, CÉTACÉ is equipped with a foremast with a sheet in the cockpit, where all the sheets of the jib, mizzen and mainsail are manoeuvred. The mainmast is fitted with false (fixed) backstays that simplify and limit manoeuvring to just the mizzen running backstays in strong winds. The rigging also allows a mizzen staysail which gives the boat power and speed when running or with slack winds.
Finally, a small removable bowsprit can allow a 40 m2 Code Zero to be used to increase sail area in light breezes. In September 2024, dry-docking and replacement of the shrouds' chain plates were carried out.
ENGINE
Volvo Penta 2003 engine no. 230 0059 831 installed in 2021, 30 HP, 904 hours.
Vetus 80-litre diesel tank.
ARMS / SAILS
Masts and boom in Oregon pine. Paints are refreshed annually and every 3 years the masts are put on the ground for checks and fully painted. 8 mm and 6 mm stainless steel rigging.
Bowsprit: removable (for Code 0)
Winches: 2 Barbarossa 2-speed
Cockpit equipment: yankee sheets, foresail, mainsail, mizzen
Yankee: 2, 2013
Trinquette: 1 reef, 2013
Mainsail: 2 reefs, 2013
Carbonera: blue colour 2013
Mizzen: 2 reefs, 2013
Tiller and emergency tiller
EXTERNAL EQUIPMENT
Gangway: mahogany
Cockpit: teak
Cockpit table: teak
Bathing ladder: mahogany
Anchors: C.Q.R 35 lr + FOB 14,5 kg
Windlass: Simpson Lawrence 500
Mooring: 80m of 10m chain + 50m of 14m synthetic rope
Bilge pump: double acting starboard cockpit
Power: 4 x 3.5 kg gas cylinders with regulators for refrigerator and cooker
ELECTRICITY / ELECTRONICS / MISCELLANEOUS
Log, speedometer
Compass: 130 diameter in cockpit
Echo sounder
Autopilot
VHF
Shore power cable: 20 m
220 V circuit with circuit breaker
12 V circuit; on switchboard
Battery charger: 8 A
Batteries: 2 x 95 A, 2023.