© Yann Riou - polaRYSE / Charal

The Charal Sailing Team has just achieved an incredible feat: completely replacing the hull of its IMOCA in just six months. In short, the boat retains the qualities that allowed it to win the last Transat Café L’Or, while also improving in certain points of sail (downwind and reaching conditions).

Launched this Friday, it will allow Jérémie Beyou to line up with strong ambitions for the Route du Rhum. A look back at the key stages of this process and a project that is as titanic as it is complex.

SPRING 2024. TIME FOR REFLECTION

As Jérémie Beyou begins his 2024 season with the Vendée Globe as his main objective, the team is already thinking ahead. “We were lucky, thanks to Charal, to start this reflection process very early, which allowed us to master the timing of the next cycle,” the skipper explains. At the heart of the discussions, one key question remains: how can they keep progressing in order to stay at the top level of the IMOCA class? “We quickly realised that building a new boat was not the only solution, and that there were other avenues to explore, especially since our boat already had many qualities.”“We took the time to list all possible upgrades and modifications,”adds Nicolas Andrieu, head of the design office.

WINTER 2024–2025. BUILDING CONSENSUS

Discussions between Jérémie, the design office and naval architect VPLP’s cabinet prove fruitful. “We wanted to preserve the boat’s strengths while improving sailing at 0° heel and reducing drag between the boat and the water surface,”explains Jérémie. “By modifying the hull, you can reduce drag by 15 to 20% when the boat is flat,”adds Nicolas. With this transformation, the part of the hull in contact with the water is reduced, improving performance. After a month and a half of studies, just a few days after the Vendée Globe finish (4th place), the project is approved by Charal.

2025 SEASON. PREPARING THE WORKS

A new sporting season begins for Jérémie with the Course des Caps and the Rolex Fastnet Race in the summer. Meanwhile, the team works behind the scenes with Gepeto Composite shipyard. Their mission: to manufacture the hull moulds and prepare the hull sections. A key stage of the project, which mobilised “100% of Gepeto Composite’s staff,” Jérémie says proudly.

DECEMBER 2025. THE IMPRESSIVE HULL CUT

After his victory in the Transat Café L’OR with Morgan Lagravière, Jérémie Beyou brings the boat back to Lorient. This is where the most striking phase of the process takes place: cutting the monohull.
“Obviously, it’s very visual and impressive to see your boat cut in two,”the sailor smiles. “It was quick, just a few days,”adds Nicolas Andrieu. “But at that point, we knew there was no turning back.”

© Marin LE ROUX - polaRYSE

JANUARY TO JUNE. A TITANIC PROJECT

Then comes the rebuild. And the task is enormous. “We had to integrate the new hull shape, adapt the entire existing structure and modify the bulkheads — a particularly long and demanding job,”explains Jérémie Beyou. Once the internal structure is adapted to the new geometry, the technicians focus on structural elements such as the foil cases. They then reinstall all systems, modify the ballast tanks, and begin several weeks of work to refine the boat’s livery.

FRIDAY 5 JUNE. BACK IN THE WATER

This Friday, the new version of Charal 2 returns to the sea. For the Charal Sailing Team and all those involved in the project, it is a true moment of satisfaction. “Given the scale and length of the project, as well as the working conditions — dust, noise, all in a confined space — it’s quite an achievement and a great source of pride,”says Nicolas Andrieu. For Jérémie Beyou, the work will undoubtedly pay off: “I trust the boat’s performance. We’ll gain downwind, reaching and light reaching, while keeping what we already had.”For the skipper, this project is “a huge opportunity to take the boat to the next level” and continue competing at the front of the fleet.

© Victoire de Chabalier - polaRYSE / Charal

ALL SUMMER. BUILDING MOMENTUM

Now, Jérémie is eager to get sailing: “I just want to get offshore and start sailing!”The foils will be assembled in the coming days before sailing trials begin. In July, Jérémie will complete his qualification for the Route du Rhum — a 1,200-nautical-mile solo passage. “Even though the refit was substantial, we did not touch the keel system, foils, rudders or cockpit,”recalls Nicolas Andrieu. “The ramp-up will therefore be much quicker than for a new boat.” “We’ve got the qualities of a new boat without the potential drawbacks,”Jérémie adds with a smile.

SEPTEMBER TO NOVEMBER. ROAD TO THE RHUM

After a few days’ rest in August, sailing resumes. Jérémie will take part in a training camp at the Port-La-Forêt hub, then compete in the Défi Azimut from 15 to 20 September. This will already mark the final preparations before the delivery trip to Saint-Malo, from where the Route du Rhum will start on Sunday 1 November. “It’s not easy watching others sail from the start of the season while waiting onshore,” Jérémie admits. “But the team’s commitment is a huge source of motivation.” And the Charal skipper concludes: “We’ll be ready for the Route du Rhum and give it everything we’ve got!”

Source : Charal (traduit par IA)