"Good heart", the name of this splendid wooden sailboat comes from the name given to one of his companions of duty. Its design is inspired by Tabarly sailboat, the Pen-Duick 3.

1982, in Switzerland, Mr. Raymond André Jaunin begins the construction of his sailboat. It is on his property that the adventure begins from mahogany trunks. Encouraged and supported by his family and friends, he proceeds step by step to the construction of his ship... The Media Switzerland RTS has been following its history for 4 years and was also present when it arrived at Port Navy Service as well as at the Launching.

 

Raymond André Jaunin tells you his story.

 

How and why?

The real start begins in 1970 after building my snipe. Small dinghy that had its heyday in the 1950s to 1980s.

At that time I settled on my account in the framework, I am a companion carpenter of the duties of freedom. My companion name is "Romand La Perseverance". Married in 63, I have 2 boys and a charming wife, I have work, but I continue to dream, my little family is doing well. After reading "Aux Quatre Vents de l'Aventure" by Marcell Bardiaux, I draw and redraw my boat modeling me on his, a sailing world tour would be great. But 9 meters is small for a family. At that time I am an admirer of Tabarly, and his "Pen-Duick 3" inspires me.

In 1975 a work accident amputated me several fingers of my left hand, I was lucky to be operated on by one of the best surgeons of the time, Doctor André Charnay who would become like his wife of the wonderful friends and with whom I will spend days at sea between Turkey and Greece on " La Fraidieu” (wind of Lake Geneva). And luck smiles on me, I am offered a place as an apprenticeship master in a vocational school for apprentice carpenters, I am already a substitute, but there it would be full time, the choice is made, I complete my projects in progress and accept the position. My workshop is almost free, I can embark on the adventure.

Teaching leaves me time, in 1977 I contacted Georges Auzepy-Brenneur, naval architect at La Celle-St-Cloud near Paris. I know these references by the Kritter sailboat built for the race around the world, the appointment is made and here I am with my wife in front of 2 or 3 plans of boats likely to suit us. The choice is made for a ketch of 16.67m x 4.80 His name will be "Va de bon coeur" in memory of the first companion who worked with me on my first project (Emile Miville's house and barn in Cartigny) his name, Joseph Lescot... goes with a good heart.

 

Expectations and visions

In all projects there is a part of dreams, its success depends on the will, the obstinacy and the perseverance that one is able to combine, not to think too far, to rush into the unknown and above all to believe in oneself.

The framework I know, shipbuilding a little less, but don't we call boat builders "Charpentier de Marine" so why not me? I received the plans, I start: 1:1 scale purées and traces, 15 days on knees, bonding of the 38 members, bridge baraults, assembly of the skeleton, bonding of the keel sole, reassembly, adjustment of the transverse partitions and reassembly. Phew… Almost a month ahead of schedule. At this rate in 5 years it's sloppy!

Next step: laying of rails, bauquières, counter-bauquière, various reinforcement and control of curves with a planer shot here and there. Ready to receive the molded wood shell.

In the meantime, the mahogany plating has been ordered, sawed and dried 700 m2 in 6mm thick. Ready? Leave. Work of 2 months alone or in pairs, even my two sons 14 and 15 years old to staple and remove the clips from the straps, 5 layers, the first of which in 4 mm plywood for the interior appearance, it always goes faster 4 months in advance!

Philippe Durr (naval manufacturer and 6m Jo World Champion, Daniel Deshuss also shipbuilder come to fiber the hull with me, a few small problems with the resin quickly solved. What a step, it's finally a boat, a bottom layer a first layer of white and it's ready for the turnaround.

1982, 40^th My wife's birthday everything is ready, hoists, slings, labor, family and friends, wide open door and admiring spectators. Camera Super 8 and forward the music. One day, one more but which one! In the evening the boat is turned over and the tears flow. The evening will be long and well watered.

A thought for Tony Moline unfortunate navigator of the double deckchair. He built his whale off Auzepy plan but loses his boat during the race. Since then he was there lending a hand during the turnaround.

 

 

Slowing and partial abandonment

Still some beautiful flights, barrault cut for the hull-pit manufacturing of the roof, longitudinal partitions, interior design, the first two layers of the bridge, berths, storage, temporary floor etc.

From 1987 the abandonment was total, I left teaching and I reopened the company with my son, 1990 I am going to Africa, 6 months technical cooperation in Cameroon, difficult return to family breakage. From 1995 to 1998 Purchase and repair of a village house, work at the company, travel. A small start in 2003 finishing the bridge with a friend. Then nothing, dust everywhere and from time to time a cleaning for a visit.

Between 2004 and 2018 the dream is always present, but more the energy or rather the passion, taken by the vagaries of life, I disperse myself, death of my friend, new encounter. Russia becomes my focus, experiences and travel that ends with a flop. Separate from the boat, sell it? to whom? Without keel, without propeller and rudder, without anything finished, impossible. The patience of my son François who revolves around this monster that has been taking him half the workshop since 1987! Thank you son.

 

The revival

In October 2012, thanks to my friends Marcel and Betty, I meet again. Roswitha comes into my life. The boat calls out to him, but above all we must organize our lives. In 2015 the choice is made we are going to move to Spain, to Mallorca in the Balearic Islands. And the boat? Forgot…. Only here is he always throne in the middle of the workshop, it is absolutely necessary to free the place, moreover that my little sons enter in their turns into the company of their father. At the end of 2018 Marcel Lachat offers us to buy it back for a derisory sum, to put it in its museum garden and to make it a "mobile home" is the click, the word too many, at this precise moment the decision is made, Roswitha and I have decided it, we will finish it. First big step painting the hull of an immaculate white, thanks to Phil and Antoine. And here is the 15th of July the boat comes out of the workshop with great fanfare. A place to finish it is offered to me by Arnaud Fulliquet in the courtyard of his company 1 km further, to date the keel and the ballast are in place the engine and the propeller will follow as well as the rudder. Luckily my other son Pierre who is a locksmith makes me all the metal parts, family work which “resoude “va de bon coeur” is in good hands.

 

 

Epilogue:

There is still a lot of work to do, and finding funds become essential until launching, but as the saying goes. " A valiant heart, nothing impossible, may God keep us from his love and preserve us in good health. The forecasts are optimistic, 5 to 6 months and the boat will go to Marseille in a shipyard for some finishes, then will sail to Mallorca. which should be his home port.

Here is the first chapter ends there, there remains the second to write, the one that gives usera thisstill a lot of emotion And tears, but the will and the combined willpower will make this dream so long, caressed, a reality.

 

Mr Raymond André Jaunin