The construction of the François Vivier–designed Toulinguet is complex, but it rewards the builder in both performance and good looks.
Owning, building, and sailing a very pretty small cruising boat is a great joy for the tradition-minded sailor. Small and simple boats have their place, but having built several such boats, I know that those looking for a challenge want a vessel of substance.
Building the François Vivier–designed Toulinguet is no small undertaking; the designer mentions one early builder spending 3,000 hours on the construction. However, this is a superior design that will reward all that effort, both at the tiller under sail, and just looking at the boat sitting at anchor or on a trailer.
Toulinguet is ISO-certified Category B with four people aboard. Boats that comply with the category’s standards are “designed for waves of up to 13′ significant height and a wind of 34–40 knots.” These conditions might be encountered on long coastwise passages where shelter is not immediately available. In other words, the boat is strong and stable enough to handle some tough weather.
In looks and intent, Toulinguet is a return to the 1950s, when semi-production wooden racer-cruisers were produced by small yards in volume for about twice the cost of a new car. While Vivier was not necessarily aiming the design at Spirit of Tradition racing, I have no doubt the boat could do well on a windy course with good sails and a competitive crew.