Please select your home edition
Edition
Cyclops 2023 August LEADERBOARD

Global Solo Challenge: How to modify a boat for a solo circumnavigation?

by Margherita Pelaschier 29 Apr 06:54 PDT
How to modify a boat for a solo circumnavigation? The story of the refit of Effraie 2 © Patrick Phelipon

The Global Solo Challenge has an innovative format: a few essential principles encourage virtuous use of resources and prioritise the re-use of existing boats and resources.

The rules establish a maximum amount of fossil fuel that each participant can carry on their circumavigation to encourage alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric.

The use of existing boats adapted for the event is recommended and favored by a handicap system designed for the Global Solo Challenge, thus promoting re-use rather than the construction of new boats.

Patrick Phelipon, a French navigator, designer, and builder, has chosen this virtuous path and tells us how he is modifying his boat to comply with the rules and be ready for a solo circumnavigation by the three Great Capes.

Safety and reliability are certainly the top priorities, and Patrick, with four circumnavigations under his belt, has devoted much of his energy to refitting his boat.

"In September 2021, I brought the boat to a shed in Italy, near Pisa, and since then I have been working continuously with a team of four people. I have already sailed the southern seas and I know how important it is to have confidence in the solidity and reliability of the boat."

Phelipon chose an 11-meter boat that he had designed between 1981 and 1984 for an owner who wanted a boat to sail around the Mediterranean. He had built the hull, structures, and deck in his shipyard near Cesena, based on the RINA regulations.

"This boat has had three owners, but it always came back to me. So I decided to use it for my big project of circumnavigating the world solo. While planning the refit, thanks to the experiences I've gained throughout my life, I looked for solutions that revolutionised the initial design. I changed the appearance, and I also decided to change the name (with the necessary superstition rituals!) and the boat will return to the sea with the name Effraie 2, in memory of my first design, the famous Mini Tonner with which I won the first edition of the Mini Ton World Championship in La Rochelle."

The boat was initially inspected to eliminate outdated parts and check the integrity load-bearing structures.

"First, I removed the keel and rudder to carefully check the condition of the hull and deck, which fortunately turned out to be very sound for the age of the boat."

Then, in order to comply with GSC regulations, I removed all the remaining interior partitions and furnishings that showed signs of aging. I replaced them with new composite partitions designed to become watertight bulkheads. So, there will be six watertight bulkheads, three of which have watertight doors.

Then we moved on to making the structural modifications that changed the initial appearance of the Effraie 2 to prepare it for the circumnavigation.

Continue reading the full article here...

Related Articles

Global Solo Challenge: Robein's departure delayed
Technical issues aboardhis boat "Le souffle de la mer III" Reaching the starting line is often the most challenging phase of a project. French skipper Louis Robein, an entry in the Global Solo Challenge, is no exception. Posted on 22 Sep
Global Solo Challenge: Two out
Ongoing preparations for the rest Less than a month after departure, Dafydd Hughes, the only Welsh skipper on his first solo round-the-world voyage aboard the Bendigedig, an S&S 34', is less than 200 miles from the equator. Posted on 20 Sep
Edouard de Keyser starts Global Solo Challenge
The only Belgian skipper departs from A Coruña Yesterday, Sunday, September 17th, marked the departure of Edouard de Keyser, the only Belgian skipper entered in the Global Solo Challenge. Posted on 18 Sep
Édouard De Keyser awaits second departure
The only Belgian skipper entered in the Global Solo Challenge The departure of Édouard De Keyser, the only Belgian skipper entered in the Global Solo Challenge, is scheduled for Saturday, September 16th at 3:00 pm local time (1:00 pm UTC). He will be followed by two other French skippers on September 30th. Posted on 15 Sep
Nadvorni's Espresso Martini winning cocktail
The name reveals much about the life philosophy of this Bulgarian skipper It's likely that Dafydd will slow down a bit as he faces the challenges of the Doldrums and looks for the best route south beyond the Saint Helena high-pressure system. Posted on 11 Sep
Dafydd Hughes, two weeks at sea
Favorable conditions and impeccable strategy in the Global Solo Challenge The first competitor of the Global Solo Challenge, Dafydd Hughes, set off from A Coruña nearly two weeks ago. The weather conditions have been favorable so far, but it's also worth noting that his navigation has been impeccable. Posted on 8 Sep
Youngest and only female competitor enters the GSC
Cole Brauer will undertake this challenge on her Class40 yacht We are delighted to announce a notable addition to the upcoming Global Solo Challenge roster. Pushing the boundaries of this event Cole Brauer from Boothbay, Maine, USA, steps into the limelight as the first and currently the only female competitor. Posted on 5 Sep
Shipyard Brewing title sponsor of Open 50 Sparrow
Boat to be re-branded Shipyard Brewing, Pumpkinhead Pete rumored to make the voyage too! Shipyard Brewing Company and Ronnie Simpson Racing have come to an agreement that will see Shipyard Brewing Company become the title sponsor of the Open 50 racing sailboat Sparrow in the Global Solo Challenge sailing race. Posted on 2 Sep
Dafydd Hughes sets sail on Global Solo Challenge
The Welsh skipper starts aboard his S&S 34 Bendigedig Today 26th August 2023, at 15:00 local time (13:00 UTC), the Welsh skipper Dafydd Hughes, aboard his S&S 34 Bendigedig, crossed the starting line, embarking on his solo, non-stop journey around the world. Posted on 27 Aug
Dafydd Hughes kicks off the Global Solo Challenge
The wait is nearly over: the first of several starting guns is set to go off Nearly three years have passed since the launch of the Global Solo Challenge (GSC), which was first announced in December 2020. Posted on 25 Aug
Selden 2020 - FOOTERHellamarine-Apelo-A3-@2x_1456x180px BOTTOMHyde Sails 2023 SIBS - FOOTER