A new kit for Ilur
The NC cut plywood kit for Ilur (clinker version) has been completely redesigned in order to reduce dramatically the building time and have it easier to make for the first time home boat-builder....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Centreboard profile
Centreboards, on my designs, are mainly made of plywood or steel (hot dip galvanised or stainless steel). I have been asked how to shape the centreboard. The sketch below gives the answer. Note that...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A new Seil 18 built by Ben Ullings boatbuilder in the Netherlands
Ben Ullings houten boten is a boatbuilder located in the Netherlands. He is building Ilur and Seil 18 on my design, and also Acorn 15, a famous Iain Ougthred design. He has just delivered this new Seil...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Restoration of the French tuna sail-boat Biche
Biche is the last sailing tuna boat of the isle of Groix, in South Brittany. She is the unique survivor of these outstanding sailing working boats of the Atlantic coast of France. Rigged as a dundee,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
New blogs on Ilur construction
Tim Cooke in Ireland is building a clinker planked Ilur. He has just started a blog I invite you to visit. He is using the full size patterns (picture) on polyester sheets which avoid any lofting....
View ArticleClik here to view.
Stir Ven kit in Australia with Hoop Pine plywood
My representative in Australia, South Pacific Boat Company, has get the order for a first NC cut plywood kit for a Stir Ven, a day boat, and also a raid boat, with exceptional performances. About 40...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Stability test of Saint Michel 2, the Jules Verne's yacht replica
Saint Michel 2 is a replica of the second yacht of Jules Verne, built in 1876. The new Saint Michel 2 is built by an association, "la cale 2 l'Ile", based in the port of Nantes. One of the last task of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
First pictures of Ebihen 16
Ebihen 16 is a lengthened version of Ebihen 15. She has same breadth and depth but one foot more in length.This gives a more elegant profile and better performances. This is why I advise to build this...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A bermudian rig for Meaban
The bermudian sail plan for Meaban is now available and may be chosen instead of the gaff sloop rig. This optionnal rig makes Meaban an excellent trailerable coastal cruising boat, with a beautiful...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bounty, a new grp dinghy for all
Bounty is a simple but efficient boat, built in grp, which could be used withs sails, motor or oars. I invite you to discover the builder web site and many pictures on my site.The builder,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Capsize recovery and buoyancy tests for small open sailboats
Recovery test of the new Ilur 2011 by Icarai boatbuilderThere is always a risk of capsize on small open sailboats. Modern dinghies are designed to be easily recovered and able to resume sailing. But on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Morbic 12, more and more building projects
Morbic 12, this excellent little dinghy with a lug sail is spreading in many countries. See new pictures of a Morbic 12 built by Icarai and participating to the Morbihan week 2011. Several has been...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ebihen 18 lauching in Germany
Ebihen 18, just after launchingI just receive a letter from a home builder of an Ebihen 18, actually the first plan, sold in 2008. The boat was launched in june 2011. "From 1977 to 1979 I had already...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The first Koalen 26 is under construction
Laurent Pilon, who have already built a beautiful Beg-Meil, is starting the construction of the first Koalen 26. Please find a complete description of the boat on my web site and also sketches of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Dhow sailing in Tanzania
The dhow off the coral reefsIn April 2012, I went toTanzania to visit my daughter and her family. We took this opportunity to go to the Indian Ocean shore, near Tanga. This coast is just facing the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gazec 12, a beautiful skiff to be built within 3 days
Gazec 12 introduces a new approach for home boatbuilding. Using tenons and pins, this pretty skiff is built without any mould or pattern. Painting apart, the boat requires no more than 3 days to be...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Skol ar Mor: inauguration of the "salorge"
The completely rebuilt old salt storage building and a skiff built by the traineesThe training center Skol ar Mor has just moved into its new premises, an entirely rebuilt "salorge" (old salt storage...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pen-Hir: launching of number 3 and drying out
Pen-Hir #3, just delivered, leaves Cherbourg toward Raz Blanchard by a rainy and windy day of AugustEarly August 2012, Icarai has launched the Pen-Hir No. 3. As soon as delivered, "Excalibur" left...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Maraudeur: a new life for this Herbulot famous design
Maraudeur is a centre-boarder designed 53 years ago by Jean-Jacques Herbulot, a famous French yacht designer. She is 4.83 m in length and has a small cabin. About 2500 units have been built, in wood at...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Olvia, an Ebihen 16 launched in Ukraine
I often receive email from boatbuilder, happy to announce they have launched their boat. The last one came from Odessa, on the Black Sea. The builder, Mykola Krasyuk, gave his agreement to have his...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Jewell plans now available!
The plan package of Jewell, a 6 m long gaff yawl, is now ready. This new sail-boat offers the advantages of a large cockpit for day sailing, in the same spirit as Stir-Ven, and a cabin for two people....
View ArticleClik here to view.
First Jewell now under construction
The first Jewell is now under construction in Germany, near Frankfurt. The builder is Friedhelm Ohl. This picture shows the assembled stucture made from a plywood kit cut by Icarai boatbuilder. It is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A Stir Ven fleet in Australia ?
Mike Randall Stir Ven, Vikki BeeStir Ven, this 22' fast classic dayboat, is more and more successful out of his mother country, France. Two Stir Ven have already been built in Australia and met...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Back from Morbihan week
Pen-Hir entering the Morbihan gulf . Photo Loïc MadelineThe Morbihan week (Semaine du Golfe du Morbihan), from 6 to 12th of May, is a main event in France for the traditional boats lovers. About 2000...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Koalen 17: a new day boat and pocket cruiser in the traditionnal style
Koalen 17 under sailKoalen 17 was designed to offer a keel version of Ebihen 16. We also proposed a cabin version and a first customer of Icarai boatbuilder in Cherbourg prefered it. The cabin is of...
View Article