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This design was commissioned by Christophe Marie and his company ‘La Canoterie’ in Saint-Valéry-sur-Somme, France. Christophe wanted a runabout inspired by American-style boats, particularly Lyman models, to offer trips around the Baie de Somme, where visitors can admire the rather exceptional scenery and visit the numerous seals in the bay, ‘where the beauty of the boat blends with the splendour of the landscape’.
I had previously worked on the design of an American runabout built by the Skol ar Mor wooden boatbuilding school, intended for tourist trips in a very different setting: the Lake of Serre-Ponçon in the Alps. That boat was built using traditional timber construction methods by the school. However, Christophe wanted a modern construction using plywood and epoxy – lighter, easier for a local shipyard to build, and more cost-effective. Indeed, the hull of this new project weighs approximately 1,200 kg, compared to 1,400 kg for the traditionally build version. Both projects were designed to carry 12 passengers, as per a French status named NUC (commercial purpose vessel) status. This status allows the boat to be built in accordance with recreational craft regulations, which are less restrictive than those applicable to passenger vessels. Nevertheless, before commissioning, the Maritime Affairs Authority required the addition of buoyancy compartments, even though these were not necessary under recreational craft standards. The preparation of a comprehensive technical safety report is a key part of a naval architect’s duties, particularly when the vessel carries passengers.
The runabout was therefore designed using 3D modelling, followed by the now standard provision of CNC cutting files, and was built by the “Jambe de Bois” boatyard in Saint-Valéry, which has since closed. The hull has hard chines, with the sides consisting of three clinker-built planks. The deck is made of varnished plywood with decorative joints milled during the CNC cutting of the plywood panels. We considered electric propulsion, but the distances to be covered in this vast bay, along with the currents and tidal constraints, would have required a battery bank that was too large and heavy. The choice for propulsion fell on two Volvo diesel engines, each rated at 75 ch, with ‘sail-drive’ transmission system (outboard-style mounting). The maximum speed is 18 knots. The decision to fit two propellers was dictated by the need to make a tight U-turn in the harbour, which is in fact a river, the Somme.
It is, of course, possible to build other similar or derivative vessels, and VivierBoats is ready to consider any project.