François Vivier Naval ArchitectGo to French
The content of stock plans for home builders

Photo: Aber construction - © Francis Holveck.
During 20 years, the french magazine Chasse-Marée  marketed my plans of "sail and oars" boats, designed in the course of time. Now, I have made this activity my profession. My plans are more numerous. They relate to a larger variety of boats. Building handbooks are more and more comprehensive and understandable.

My objective

It is to propose tradition inspired boats, suitable for other ways of sailing. These boats are to be discovered on this website.
It is also to allow any person who likes do-it-yourself to build a boat and even a beautiful boat. Having built myself several of my designs, I have as one of my objectives that the building should not be only easy, but also a source of great satisfaction. A pleasure which will go on for a long time while sailing on a self-built boat.


Extrait plan IlurExtrait fiche construction boisExtrait nomenclature accastillageStock plans content

The plans are in fact a full set of documents including:
  • A chronological guide indicating the documents (see further) to be referred to at each stage.
  • General plans and plans of each detail, for example centreboard case, specific deck fittings (26 plans A3 size on Stir Ven).
  • Plans with offsets of the sections, the stem with its bevels, the extended transom, and even profile of hull planks.
    Attention: some plans do not include dimensioned plans of sections. In that case full scale patterns on polyester film are proposed and they have to be purchased with the plan. In such a case, a notice is always given in the catalogue or price list.
  • Plans with precise instructions to give your suppliers (sailmaker in particular) ensuring you the best possible result (functional and aesthetic).
  • "Wooden boatbuilding sheets" which constitute a real illustrated book (50 pages for Ilur) explaining each stage of the construction, step by step. Note : at time being, these sheets are not translated into English but equivalent information may be found in English books on boatbuilding.
  • Detailed material lists of necessary sawn timber, plywood sheets, fittings.
  • Instructions relating to the application of regulations (European).
  • Lastly, a free telephone or e-mail assistance is proposed to each purchaser.

Study plans

Study plans are extracts from the plans allowing the buyer to have a more precise knowledge of the boat, the construction process, the detailed content of the full plan... Study plans includes general pages of the construction guide, some main plans (at reduced scale) or detailed plan samples, all material lists in order to estimate budget. 


Tracé vraie grandeurFull size polyester patterns

The laying out of the boat is one of the most difficult stages for a first-time builder. This is why I propose for all designs full size patterns for the sections, stem, transom and often for other parts, including bevels and as many usefull details as possible. You just have to lay out the polyester tracing paper (also said mylar) on the pannel to be cut, to transfer on it the tracing and you can engage in your construction with the greatest facility.

The patterns are sent by post out of plastic tube to avoid any deterioration during transport.



On right : full size pattern (very reduced in size!) on polyester film of fore frames. See the keel cut-out, the bevels of the frames, the profile of bulkheads. The horizontal line at the top is the lay-out plan on the building frame.


And if you want another boats?

I seek to widen unceasingly the number of plans proposed, in particular with boats of different sizes or types. Very often a new plan is the result of a response to a specific request. If I "feel" the boat well, if I consider that it can answer a more general demand, it is then possible for me to draw the boat of your dreams. I will just ask in return getting feedback on encountered difficulties and providing beautiful photographs of the boat at sea.
Computer also makes it possible to do many things.You want a boat in a little longer, or broader. I can quickly modify the line plan and print a full size plan on polyester film. It will remain you to adapt the remainder with some advice I could provide.

Kits and supplies

See page kit and supplies


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