An old girlfriend just called.....

[Frank]

 We met at the boat show in 1984. She was French and oh so totally different from the others.... Her lines were sporty, her interior totally unique from anything I had seen before in a boat of her size. She absolutely defied her short length.  Designed by Phillipe Briand, she promised to be very fast as well. The fact she could be had with a keel/centreboard and lifting rudder to give a very shoal 2ft 7in draft set the hook. I ordered her at the show.
We sailed together for 4 years and she was both fast and comfortable.
Sadly, with funds needed for my growing business, she was sold in 1988.
Her design, to my mind, was so well thought out, I have not seen a boat before or since in her size that came remotely close!
At ONLY 23ft 7in on deck, she totally embodied all that was needed in a great little cruiser.....good looking, very fast, extremely airy inside, useable  little galley, separate chart table, extremely functional head, very large aft cabin, spacious cockpit with great storage and the best designed combings of any boat I've owned (angled perfectly for sailing hiked out with tilller extension) proper bridgedeck with full traveller, tiller that was easily propped up, wide side decks to go forward, lifelines and a proper anchor locker.
The good folks that purchased her from me live and sail her about a 45 minute drive from my home. At times, while out for a Sunday drive, I'd swing by the marina and there she would be.....still looking good...
Once, when Ross was aboard, I walked over (this was about 18yrs after the sale) and after small talk, told him to please give me first chance should she come for sale. He professed love for the boat and no intentions to sell.
Twice after, when up that way for a drive, I would leave my card aboard with a simple note....."call when ready"  The last time I left one, Carol did call... but to say "we still love the boat!"
Years pass.....
Last Friday I got the call. Age and arthritis had caught up to them both. This will be their last season sailing and am I still interested ?
My heart fluttered... literally!
Timing totally sucks!
I had to go look....
Well.... her hull still shines 34yrs later! Apart from a few typical stress cracks, her deck is solid and in great shape. Inside both her plywood interior (no drop in mouldedd galley and bunks etc) and her cushions defied her age! Her glued on headliner however was pretty well toast and in need of attention.
I still love the ole gal....
She still has ALL the parts that attracted me in the first place.
She is SO rare....extreme few made their way to this side of the Atlantic.
Did I mention timing sucks...
Boats truly are somewhat like women....
Some are truly love affairs and this ole girl still has it.

I post some pictures...all are sister ships but are exactly like her.
Please remember.....
23ft 7in on deck
2ft 7 in board up!

Underway...

[Frank]

At dock and hauled "on the hard"
See "board down" in slings (5ft 11in board down)
Note the very shoal draft board and rudder up
Still a modern looking boat in my eyes at 34!

[Frank]

Interior layout....
Not shown is great aft cabin and stand up aft head
One pic is "table down" creating a king size forward bunk.
Other shows table up...both with starboard section swing down for ease to sit
Note big chart table!
Remember...23ft 7in !!
Cockpit has huge locker, aft 'life raft' storage, note angle on outside of combings...perfect when hiking out!

[CapnK]

...she was 25, and her name was Eolia Jeanneau. :)

Amazing interior for length!

[CapnK]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGVEzvvx0N0

[Frank]

That would be her!
Head has a cloths rod for wet gear
As you see, chart table is huge
You sleep athwart ship in the aft cabin....port right there for air
Sits 6 at table...4 really comfy!
And, as you see...floor space
All in a fast 23ft 7in hull
I'm still amazed 34 years later

PS...yes Capt K.....that WAS her name 😄😄

[Frank]

Got motivated and dug through the OLD pictures...
Came up with a few...
This was 85 or 86....  32 or 33yrs ago...
The boat has aged much better than I
Reef tucked in, hiked out, beating to weather.

[CapnK]

Looks like sum pyrat with a full head of dark hair done stoled yer bote! :D

[Frank]

Like I mentioned....
She aged MUCH better than I did.... 😩

[Jim_ME]

Cool design, Frank...

Has that certain Jeanneau sais quoi...  ;)

[CapnK]

Has that certain Jeanneau sais quoi...  ;)

::) ::) ::)

.

.

;D ;D ;D

[Frank]

OK.... I truly AM certifiable!!

The last thing I need is another boat...especially a project boat.
But
Love is love...

I just made a deal and she will be in my shop the end of this, their last season.
Fix the headliner
A big water tank where the inboard would have been
New dodger material and a zip on sun shade
LEDs throughout
Engel fridge etc etc

Then...
My retirement Abacos shoal draft boat!

[CapnK]

I kinda had a feelin' about that... :D

[Frank]

I wasn't sure.....
I hated the call.....
Wasn't ready
Today they called with a more than fair price and terms
I think they know I love the ole boat too and want a good home for her
Funny how life can go full circle....

[Frank]

Up again for a drive today.
Sitting on her yard trailer
Still shining after all those years

[Frank]

Update:
They're kids, now mid 40s, wanted to sail her again for the last time while visiting home last summer (2019) which was fine with me. I took back  possession of her at haul out last October.
Once I'm home late spring, I'll haul her down to my shop for a bit of a refit to transition her to a Bahamas cruiser.
Ad extra water tankage
2x6 volt golf cart batteries
165 watt solar
Engel style fridge/freezer
More ventilation
Sunshade
New outboard
Different head arrangement with overboard option
Furling (yes...sorry...I'm lazy in my older age)
LED lighting
Added cabinets
Etc etc

As she will be an inexpensive boat, once in the Abacos I'll pay the duty and register her 5here. No more cruising permit fees or worries about getting her out of the country.

Decided to name her "déjà vu"
I even found the bill of sail when I ordered her back in April 1985!

She aged a lot better than me!
Pic is last August
Not bad for 35!

[Bob J (ex-misfits)]

Nice!

[Locutus]

Nice!  I just checked the web for this model for sale.  Not one available.  I envy you.  I've been keeping an eye out for something like this myself, although I would prefer the fin keel version.  Phenomenal cabin layout.  I can see why you lover her.  I wonder how this model would do as a passagemaker.  Mexico to Marquesas anyone?

Edit: By the way does the main cabin have full standing headroom? (At least 5'10"?)

[Frank]

I love the shallow draft for the keys and Bahamas.
You'd have 5'10" under the hatch, about 5'7" or 8" in main cabin area.
Not an offshore design, but proper bridgedeck and good cockpit drainage.
It's been done in lessor boats,... I wouldn't do it.

[CapnK]

Hey Frankie - how's 'the relationship' going, eh? ;D