Birth of a Boat.....getting close!

It's been quite a while since we posted a progress report on the building in France of new BRAVO, a Boreal 52.  Many of you have been asking, so here's the latest.  She's now scheduled for completion towards the end of November.  Since winter will be just arriving in Brittany, we've decided to actually launch and take delivery in late January/early February of next year.


When we last updated the construction shots, BRAVO was just heading out on a trailer for her road trip to the paint shop elsewhere in France.  Painting took a couple of months over the winter due to weather (high humidity can ruin a paint job, especially on aluminum).  So we'll pick up where we left off.....returning to the Boreal yard, and into the fabrication shop this past May.

With freshly painted decks (the topsides will remain bare aluminum) she settles in at her new home for the next several months of the build.

The yard takes great care to protect the decks as the work begins.....

Each boat has dedicated shelves holding all of the bits and equipment scheduled for installation by the team.

Adam went over to France in June to review systems with the yard.  Things were in full swing, and progress looked good

This is the team assigned to this build.  At Adam's June visit, their pride in their work was evident!!!  A great bunch of folks, led by Nathalie on the right.  She is responsible for the boat through completion.

Here's where things were in June.  A lot of piping, wiring, and insulation was in progress....

Hot water tank and fresh water manifold

Main wiring runs lead to the location of the future electrical panel.

Looking aft, centerboard trunk at the right

The hull is well insulated before the interior gets installed.  Foam is used between the structural elements, and all of the structure is sprayed with a cork slurry mixture.

View from below.  Epoxy undercoat below the waterline, to receive antifouling paint before launch.  The hull will be sanded as well.

Davits will hold the dinghy and 4 solar panels as well as various antennas.

After the engine was installed and the bulk of the major wiring and plumbing runs installed, the woodwork interiors were installed.  Most of these photos are fairly current, so you can see there's been a lot of progress over the summer.

Aft port cabin.

Aft starboard cabin, primarily for storage and electrical equipment.

Main salon, looking forward

Gluing the stainless steel galley counter in place.

Forward cabin.

Forward head and shower.

Work bench, looking aft toward main salon/galley.

While in Treguier, Adam had time for a bit of sight seeing one afternoon, so took a favorite drive along the Brittany coast.  What a beautiful area.  We can't wait to explore it from the water in the new boat this coming spring!!!

Fisherman hurries to get his boat out of the water before the squall hits.