One of the perks of my admittedly cushy job as a freelance writer is that I get to try out a lot of different boats—everything from small rowing dinghies to large sailing yachts. Inevitably, some are more appealing than others, and I have to admit François Vivier’s 15′ 3-1/2″ Minahouët wasn’t one I was particularly excited about sailing. It looked nice enough in the pictures, but my heart wasn’t exactly pounding to get out on it. All that was to change during a two-hour sail on a gusty day off St-Malo on the north coast of Brittany.My acquaintance with the Minahouët started on the slipway at the Anse des Sablons marina near the historic old town. That’s where I met the boat’s builder Pierre-Yves de la Rivière, founder of the Grand-Largue boatyard at nearby St-Briac. The bespectacled Frenchman had brought PIANISSIMO, a Minahouët he had built for a client. The boat was rather understated, with a good deal of paint and the boat’s brightwork finished with oil stain rather than varnish. It all looked very workmanlike, if rather plain. The forward watertight compartment is accessed through two hatches because it is partially divided by a box for the forward mast partner and step. The aft mast partner—installed only for the sloop rig —is open; the mast will be lashed to eyelets yet to be installed.
François Vivier
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Easier by an order of magnitude to drop the mast to row up wind. Just sayin’. Did they design a way to tuck the spars over the bow like the Norwegians do with their small double enders?
You are of course right, Ben. In my defense, the rowing bit happened by chance, while Pierre-Yves was messing about on another of his boats (more of which in the next issue of WoodenBoat). The spars all tucked away rather well on top of the thwarts, there being plenty of freeboard to raise the oars up high.
I have never seen that arraignment for a pivoting daggerboard before. I would love to know more about it and hear from others who have sailed with one.
It seems a great solution for those of us who have, on occasion run a bit on the “lean” side. 🙂 However, from the images, it appears to pivot into a centerboard trunk. If this is the case, why not just use a centerboard?
Thanks for another great article on a beautiful craft.
You’re right, it does pivot in the trunk. I think the main idea is that you can pull it right out and not worry about stones getting jammed between the case and the board when landing on a beach. The whole arrangement is much more accessible and therefor easier to fix than a conventional centerboard set-up. It would be good to hear from others who have had more experience of this system.
Rowing against the wind with the mainmast set is really arduous! When I have to row my 17′ Harrier, I lay the mainmast down and stow the mast-top on the quarter deck, where it gets locked in the corner underneath the stern breasthook. The lower part of the 19′ mast rests on a removable padded cradle on the left side of the bow and extends out about 2′ forward. I have to say that this arrangement is only good for rowing Venetian style in a standing position, using special forcole (Venetian oarlocks). I did not yet find a solution for rowing seated. Maybe I will have to use a shorter mast with a sprit-sail?
I can’t really see a way around that Detlef – unless you tried some outrigger rowlocks, in the style of Will Stirling’s expedition boats, or indeed most modern sports rowboats. The extra leverage gained might mean you can row with the oars farther out and leave space for the mast. Not ideal but maybe worth a try before you cut the mast down!
I think she’s a real beauty.
What interests me is the connection between tiller and rudder stock, have observed the ease in which they can be separated and tiller then stored. There also appears to be some kind of block on the tiller in some pictures? Can anyone help in these matters?
I’ve read this article at least three times now. Great writing, Nic, and what a beautiful and functional boat. My current boat has a lot of little details that make trailering and sailing quick and easy, and I think too many designers overlook these things. In the long run these little details provide a lot of satisfaction.