Francois Vivier boat designs

[Capt B]

Hi all,

First time posting to the forum today. I am a long-time reader of Woodenboat......since issue #1. I have been looking for a daysailor that would be comfortable for up to four people (usually two). Something rugged.....chunky....but elegant also. Work-boat finish.....with a few small touches of bright-work. I really admire the Welsford boats and those of Iain Oughtred. Then I came accross the designs of Francois Vivier.....and I knew I had found my boat. I was taken with Beg-mail at first.......just a really sweet boat. But slowly.....I began pouring over the photos of the original Ebihen..........and I am fairly certain this (the lapstrake sloop version) will be the boat I will build. This is real little (but substantial) ship.

Any other Vivier fans out there? Plans were on the high-end compared to plans by other designers for similar-sized boats.....but the price is fine. Plans are available in English......but I believe Mr. Vivier stated the instruction books are not. Mylar station templates are offered (he states required). But hopefully his plans include lines and offset tables also. I like to build a scale-model.......and really like to loft the plans.....even if mold templates are offered. Any other concerns, recomendations etc. regarding this designer. Thanks for any input.


Capt B

[GregW]

Beautiful boat that.

http://vivierboats.com/albumsen/ebihen/misainier%20strip/ebihen06_08.jpg


http://vivierboats.com/albumsen/ebihen/misainier%20strip/ebihen04_04.jpghttp://vivierboats.com/albumsen/ebihen/misainier%20strip/ebihen08_05.jpg

[dennisbur]

I like his boats too. Unfortunately, the mylar sheets ARE required for building some of his designs. This pushes the price to close to 1000 euros, which is getting quite steep. However, in the overall cost of a boat that is still less than 10%.

[Clinton B Chase]

I was looking into his plans for awhile...great plans and he is easy to communicate with via email.

You'll want to use the templates he offers...they are highly accurate and are mylar. You could still loft. I'm sure he could include the offsets if they are not there already.

Yes, a little pricey, but you do get computer generated, highly accurate patterns and some of his books are translated, albeit not all. If you can afford the cost, go for it. His boats truly suit the requirements you laid out in your post.

Cheers,
Clint

[Capt B]

I am interested in the clinker gaff-sloop version.......but the (dipping ?) lug version in the photos above is really attractive in the simplicity of the rig. I have no personal experience with lug rigs. Having about equal sail areas.....how would the lug version stack-up performance-wise with the gaff sloop version (I could accept that down-wind performance of the lug would/could be affected with having no boom to hold the sail out at a more effective angle).


Capt B

[Jim Ledger]

[quote=Clinton B Chase;1843023

You'll want to use the templates he offers...they are highly accurate and are mylar. You could still loft. I'm sure he could include the offsets if they are not there already.
[/quote]


Lofting should be a snap with accurate mylar templates of the sections. Offsets might only confuse things. Tracing out the templates on the body plan, knowing the station spacing, all the actual offsets could be picked up easily. There's probably templates for the stem and all the rest of the necessary measurements.

Edited to add, that's a really nice design.

[Lion]

Hi Capt B

I am an enthusiastic fan of Francois Vivier's designs and if is a bit of a puzzle to me that they do not get more of a run on the WBF.

My particular favourite and prospective build is 'Meaban', one of his trailable cruiser designs. I pretty well like then all, including your chosen 'Ebihen'. Anther stunner is 'Elorn' for rowing/sailing and of course, his classic 'Aber' amoungst others. (Can someone clever post images- beyond my cyber skills?).

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Francois in Brittany last October. He is an exceptionally gracious and knowledegable individual. The plans and patterns are not 'cheap' but they are good value as they are high quality and you have access to Francois for ongoing support if necessary.

He took Jude and I sailing off Pornichet (near where he lives), and he can sail! Aside from his undoubted techincal skills, thats a pretty good
starting point for a sailboat designer.

Look forward to your following your progress.

Lion

[lvergara]

I am also a fan of Mr viviers designs, Ebihen and Youkou Lili are my favorites...

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df39b3127ccec37161718d3d00000016100AZMmbRi2bt2 IPbz4Q

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b8df39b3127ccec371a3ef0cf200000016100AZMmbRi2bt2 IPbz4Q

he just posted some pictures a newly built lug-yawl version

http://www.vivierboats.com/albumsen/ebihen/bourcet-malet/Ebihen-pict0182.jpg

I found it astonishing, I contacted Mr Vivier a while ago via e-mail and he sent me drawings of his new Ebihen 16 clinker version with water ballast, if I was not broken at this moment (kids to college), I would be building this one (probably the gaff sloop or cutter version)... but in the meanwhile I am aiming to something smaller : john brooks 'ellen' or oughtrerd's "shearwater"....

[Ethan]

For those interested in checking out his website

Go Here (http://vivierboats.com/)

Some serious eye candy

[keyhavenpotterer]

"oughtrerd's shearwater"

A really lovely design. I have the larger "Gannet" and she sails wonderfully, is very lovely to behold, responsive and light to move around. Brian

[Thorne]

M. Vivier posts here infrequently, and has some lovely designs. Some of his sail and oar boats have done very well in the Euro RAID events.

[andrewe]

Hi, Lion, Shame on you for not starting your build yet:). Remember that great quote from WB." Building this boat will take 2 yrs. Not building it will also take 2 yrs."
Get to it!
Best to Jude
Andrew

[Thorne]

Come on, now! Most of us have been "not building" various boats for far longer than 2 years...

;0 )

[andrewe]

You are quite right, Thorne, I have been looking at the table of offsets for a tea clipper for longer than that......:)
Back on thread, there are a lot of Vivier´s boats around here.His eye for a line is enough to make one run to the boatshop.
Andrew

Re the lug down wind, A friend has an Aber. He keeps a sort of boathook which he uses to pole out the sail down wind. Generally lugs are good down wind, low center of effort, esp. if you need to reef. Upwind they lose a little to modern rigs, but not a lot. Bit tricky to reef on the go. Nothing to stop you having a boom tho. Oughtred´s plans usually show one.
A

[Lion]

Jeez Andrew,

Is there nowhere to hide! Just thought I would make a gentle prod on the merits of my favourite small boat designer and you have to remind the world of my procrastination and sloth! Thanks!

Good to hear from you and see you are still lurking. In a way I have sorta started with the rationalisation and disposal of the current boat projects by listing one of them locally (strip built Putt-putt) - bit of initial interest, and the other (a Cape Cod Catboat) to follow with a Sabb 2H/18hp to find a home for. Then I get to get the Housewives Seal of Approval - yipee!

As I procrastinate the Aussie dollar has firmed a little against the Euro and I have saved $36 by sitting on my bum for 6 months. Patience has its own rewards.

Lion

[Capt B]

Any other recomended designers out there with boat designs similar to Vivier's.......other than Welsford and Oughtred (ie 16' or less...workboat style....gaff..lug etc.) Again....thanks for the help.


Capt B

[bucheron]

My son and I are greatly taken with the Seil 540, Vivier's version of the norwegian pram. However we thought it a bit beyond our resources and experience. There is a budget, stitch and glue version we are building instead, you can read about building it here
http://brenorpra.wikispaces.com/



the plans are available from www.boatplans.dk (http://www.boatplans.dk/).

cheers

[GoldDogs]

Any other recomended designers out there with boat designs similar to Vivier's.......other than Welsford and Oughtred (ie 16' or less...workboat style....gaff..lug etc.) Again....thanks for the help.


Capt B

Selway Fisher, but I like FV's better

[StevenBauer]

Capt, get your hands on some of John Gardner's books. Your library can get them, or the WoodenBoat Store.


Even if you don't build from the books (I did) there is a lot to learn from them.

Steven

[Clinton B Chase]

This thread came up so I thought I'd bump it.

I have an opportunity to teach using his Aber as a project boat for a traditional BBing class. Aber is essentially a Catspaw + 10% length and another inch or so of beam. There is some consideration to build a carvel-plank Aber following essentially the same process as used to build the carvel planked Catspaw Dinghy. It would look like:

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5175/5575027289_271be47934.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintchase/5575027289/)
AberZimmermann02 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintchase/5575027289/) by Clint Chase Boatbuilder (http://www.flickr.com/people/clintchase/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5307/5575616658_8889fb77bd.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintchase/5575616658/)
PICT4078 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintchase/5575616658/) by Clint Chase Boatbuilder (http://www.flickr.com/people/clintchase/), on Flickr

Any other interest in a carvel planked Aber? Any thoughts in general?

[James McMullen]

Just needs a lug yawl rig and it'd be about perfect!

[Rapelapente]

His bigger boats, French Brittany lobster boats inspired, are nice too.
I could admire several times his first design, Babar (http://vivierboats.com/albumsen/babar/index_en.html).
First design ? A masterpiece at first attempt!

[Dick Wynne]

Come on, now! Most of us have been "not building" various boats for far longer than 2 years...

;0 )


Calls for a modification to the exchange heard at parties:

"I'm writing a novel, you know"

"Neither am I"

[Clinton B Chase]

Just needs a lug yawl rig and it'd be about perfect!

It is interesting how few yawls they use. It is also interesting how well they work without the mizzens!

[Clinton B Chase]

His bigger boats, French Brittany lobster boats inspired, are nice too.
I could admire several times his first design, Babar (http://vivierboats.com/albumsen/babar/index_en.html).
First design ? A masterpiece at first attempt!

I had several opportunities to hang out with Pierre Raffin on Babar...he is a character, been around the world twice on Babar.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6771122515_4d8e3fae83.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintchase/6771122515/)
Inside Babar. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintchase/6771122515/) by Clint Chase Boatbuilder (http://www.flickr.com/people/clintchase/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6771127083_561da02107.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintchase/6771127083/)
Babar. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintchase/6771127083/) by Clint Chase Boatbuilder (http://www.flickr.com/people/clintchase/), on Flickr

Entering canal to the city gates of Vannes.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7164/6771134655_692d0fa1bf.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintchase/6771134655/)
259 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintchase/6771134655/) by Clint Chase Boatbuilder (http://www.flickr.com/people/clintchase/), on Flickr