A Red Ensign at the Semaine du Golfe

Avel Dro visits a huge French maritime festival - a personal account of my participation in this bi-annual festival on the Golfe du Morbihan, where I meet lots of old friends and make many new ones.
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MUSIC
Moments passing by - Wendy Marcini
Lafayette St. - Roots and Recognition
- from Epidemic Sound
www.epidemicso...
AVEL DRO
Do you want a boat like mine?
Avel Dro is an Ilur designed by François Vivier, and built of clinker plywood by Les Charpentiers Reunis of Cancale in 1994. I bought her in France in 2003 to import her into the UK, and more recently returned her to France again.* The design is based closely on the traditional inshore fishing boats of Brittany in the early years of the twentieth century - hence her simple boom-less lugsail rig and lack of a mainsheet horse, (sometimes controversial among my viewers). Although rare in Britain, Ilurs are relatively common in France. Modern Ilurs are however slightly different internally from mine, as they have more built in buoyancy. The name Avel Dro is Breton, and basically means a whirlwind.
Length 4.44 m
Sail area 12.2 m²
Beam 1.70 m
Draught 0.25 / 0.86 m
Design category C3
François Vivier's website (in English):
www.vivierboats...
Similar dinghies can often be found for sale on the website of the French magazine Le Chasse-Marée:
www.chasse-mar...
Or try Le Bon Coin, (where you can buy anything in France):
www.leboncoin.fr
*Sadly, since January 2021, when Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland) left the European Single Market, if you buy a boat in France or elsewhere in the EU with the intention of importing it into the UK, you will be liable to pay VAT and other duties on the import. This is true even if it is second hand, and similar charges will be due if you take a British boat the other way. This does not apply to a boat taken to another country for a brief holiday, however.

[@jayinboonton]

Please do an episode on Rhubarbie and Mary Dooley!

[@petreamccarthy8635]

Second that :)

[@chrisleggatt3240]

Agreed

[@SVZonda]

A great sailing adventure.. Yes sometimes those motor boat owners think the only way to get out of YOUR way is to go faster!!... I love that feeling of sailing so close to others, but still being in control!! All the best Richard

[@philiphemmings3739]

Hi, for the last two years iv been following you on KZbin you have been my mascot, inspiration, we, that's me and my daughter have just passed our level 1 RYA onwards and upwards because of you, iv got severe learning difficulties, dyslexia, we both persevered and took the bull by the horns we love everything you promote.

[@RogerRoving]

Lovely story Philip. All power to your four elbows!

[@marktaskerlyngfarm7596]

Hello Roger. What a wonderful film as always. Thank you for bringing us hope in eastern England that sunshine a sailing breezes do still exist! A query for today. Please could you let me know the types of waterproof bags you use now as I can't find which of the vids it is where you extoll that knowledge. Kind regards. Mark. North Norfolk. 🌞 A

[@billywhizz6483]

What a wonderful festival and beautifully captured, as always. Many thanks for taking us along with you.

[@stevewagstaff8211]

Please, please do a review on Mary Dooley's new boat, it looks a beauty. Thank you so much for your beautifully crafted stories, you really create a feeling of being aboard with you

[@andypandy955]

This is one of the reasons I moved to France. To capture the essence is hard but Roger you have done it. I would have been there but my little boat is not finished yet. Maybe one day I will be there. Fantastic video, well done Roger for taking the time to share your experiences with us.

[@tizme6105]

Thanks once again for taking us all along on a most enjoyable trip Roger. Plenty of challenges during that outing, for sure.

[@MrBernie101]

Yee Harrrrr, Roger, you've done it again. Captured everything that goes with a Brittany sailing holiday. I just loved the close quarters maneuvering, the the invective hailing, but most of all, the cammeradire of all the like minded people. BTW, I didn't quite hear you singing ????? Roger, thank you. Kind Regards, Barnacle Bern SV Cadbri. 👍👍

[@joblo8808]

After all the vids you've filmed, this one seems to have captured particularly well the real essence of actually being onboard. Well done, sir.

[@chris9056]

Roger, after all our DCA Zoom chats it was great to finally meet you (and Mary) on Isle D'Arz. And we even make a couple of fleeting cameos in this film, so that's ticked off the bucket list! Chris (Forrest)

[@kennethcheatham8325]

Thanks for another fantastic video Roger. I'm always filled with a longing for the sea and a newfound drive to finish my own sailboat. You're always a treat to watch. Cheers

[@victhequick]

Legend is back with another masterpiece love his videos since young.

[@Crispkingguy]

I appreciate the open dialogue on this short film. Using ones voice to communicate is important . . . let the person know how you feel. Thanks for taking us along and showing us how they do it in France.

[@rondg1692]

Great resume and a lovely video as always. Was there for a third time and this edition was more challenging indeed. The daily itineraries were long but splendid, and the weather played along fine, despite the alarming predictions days before. For many of us having to take the bus to and from the campsites, the deprivation of sleep was starting to count at the end of the week. A lot of the flotilla 2 boats were picked up early Saturday morning at Plougoulemen. Still, it was a lovely week of sailing and I noticed many youngsters among the fleet this year. La Semaine seems to have a great future.

[@dennisbeaver5958]

Always impressed with the way Avil Dro and her captain handles the rougher seas! And your videos are just as much about dinghy cruising as they are about capturing the spirit of the French countryside as you travel along.

[@petreamccarthy8635]

A feast for the eyes. Not sure I'd enjoy sailing in such a crowd, but wonderful to see so many interesting boats. Thanks for another great video Roger :)

[@calypso22]

Thank you Roger. Lovely boat. I really enjoyed that. From a Med (Malta) sailor who used to own an Enterprise dinghy which had a "Designed and Built by Jack Holt" plate on the transom. I live in Switzerland now on the banks of Lake Geneva. Lots of small boats in my little port, but not quite the same. 🙂

[@babaganoush6106]

ah enterprise....one of the best

[@paulaus]

Love the rear facing camera it gave a really good sense of the waves and chop. Would you do a review of the Scamp?

[@styx85]

He tried to review a Scamp in a previous video if I remember correctly, but they couldn't get her quite ready in time. I'm sure he'll get to it at some point :)

[@RogerRoving]

I'm hoping to get out to sail in her next month...

[@machismo4256]

A Scamp. Woo. Looking forward to your impressions after a weekend or two in it.

[@davidbarrett7424]

One of the crews jobs is to shield the helm from breaking waves :-)

[@robhosailor]

Beautiful event and great video again! Regards 😁 PS: It seems that the behavior of motorboat skippers is similar everywhere ...

[@quentinsf]

Don't think I've ever seen so many lug rigs in one shot. Are they particularly popular in France, or was that a characteristic of your flotilla? Thanks for another entertaining video!

[@RogerRoving]

They’re part of the Voile-Aviron movement promoted by the magazine Le Chasse-Marée from the 1980s.

[@rapido2962]

I enjoyed the video, but a bit too frantic for me to take part! I'd like to seen a bit more of Mary's new boat.

[@RogerRoving]

So would I. She keeps promising...

[@romantiachristiana5147]

You had your dose of motorboat waves - me too, plus the chop. I got a glimpse of my Novalis in your sequence of Larmor Baden. I was glad to have the heavy ballasted hull! I enjoyed your portrait of Flotilla 2 in not exactly the easiest of conditions.

[@rogberube6422]

Thanks for sharing your videos, Roger. Why do the boats meet so close? Not exactly safe...

[@elizaandalisa]

Roger in the video you seem to have touched a fair few boats mate Marty Australia

[@barryconway]

How fabulous. This very much reminded me of an LTA experience when I flew in a huge Fiesta and it immediately became apparent that my skill level and attention to “the rules” was not equal to all. Exhilarating, unmissable, but not something that I would be anxious to repeat. French: blue ropes. Noted ((o;

[@artemira]

Another great adventure. Quite different from your tranquil sailing ones. How no one managed to crash into one another is a miracle! Also, would love to see a video of your friend Mary's new Scamp.

[@RogerRoving]

I hope to do a Scamp test next month!

[@timequest9802]

Roger, that looked like some very rough water you guys were crossing. Would adding hiking straps to Avel Dro be helpful? Have to say, anyone who can go into a crowded anchorage under sail alone is a true Seaman. Job well done.

[@Stobb0]

Aaargh! Organised chaos French style - I am getting stressed just watching it and only slightly less stressed than Roger himself 😁

[@CoVianna]

Excellent video as always. The Golfe looks an excellent adventure playground for small boat sailors. The entrance looked a bit “brisk” though 😂

[@andyharding1514]

lovely - I particularly enjoyed "incoherent spluttering ..." in the subtitles.

[@sailor-rick]

I suppose that you must be much more patient and tolerant for that kind of sailing. With the lack of sleep, rude boaters, traffic congestion, etc., did your patience run thin, there at the end? Mine did and I was just watching. Thanks for sharing your adventure.

[@RogerRoving]

It does wear you out, yes, and I wanted to reflect that. It is however an extraordinary event to be a part of.

[@skaraborgcraft]

Do like the festivals, but, too many people and boats for my liking.

[@michaeldoolin5342]

Thank you, I smiled from beginning to end.

[@stuartmenziesfarrant]

Nice bit of lively sea there in the gulf Roger! Looks good in the video.

[@got1intheshed]

Thank you Rodger for your inspiration that has help me to buy a small sail boat I live in North Essex in a small seaside town called Walton on the Naze surround by some magnificent back waters ready for me to explore. Funny enough I'm also an Architect just retired so plenty of time to sail...

[@RogerRoving]

Hamford Water: lovely!

[@nermaldotorg]

Nursing a hangover with fresh coffee and watching this before heading off for a Sunday roast and some live music in the local pub is pretty much a perfect Bank Holiday Sunday. Cheers Roger!

[@williamschroder2898]

Just a wonderful vid, from Georgia USA. Love the ones with tons of sailing!

[@Shawn-yg3yz]

I love watching these videos you make. Absolutely love them. Much appreciated

[@AndyJarman]

I would be very interested to learn French nautical terms. La point d'amour, what a cracker! Took me ages to find the french for soft shackle (erse á bouton - button strap), found it in Francois' how to build an ilur manual in the end.

[@RogerRoving]

Point d’amure.

[@roxyknight4909]

Roger ... how does your boat compare to say the ones designed by John Welsford ? Could you do same things in one of thoses ? ... love your channel. Want to get into Dinghy Curising myself now

[@RogerRoving]

John Welsford boats would be ideal. Possibly more ideal. Personally I’d go for a Pathfinder or his new Longsteps.

[@AWaldron]

There seemed to be plenty of Vivier-designed dinghies. I’m amazed by the variety of designs of wooden boats (vs the class dinghies). Are there good cruising dinghies here that are relatively easy to build?

[@RogerRoving]

Vivier’s newer designs are easier to build.

[@johnhaughey5347]

Excellent video as always Roger, May I ask what material your sail is made from Thank you

[@RogerRoving]

It’s clipper canvas

[@tomcarr1358]

That boat needs a metal transom loop with a traveller for the clew. Charging across the boat from cleat to cleat is needlessly hazardous in strong wind and cumbersome in all winds..

[@RogerRoving]

No it’s not!

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

At 27:30, Roger cussing a blue streak, in French, is priceless. I don’t know what he said, but it got the point across!

[@RogerRoving]

The French is translated if you turn captions on.

[@kgilliagorilla2761]

@@RogerRoving I guess the French language shouted with frantic hands just sounds like cussing to the unlearned American ear. I’ll use CC translation from now on. Cheers!

[@kens2114]

Always enjoy your sailing escapades, thanks

[@setkacagarro-blogspot-com]

The footage at up around 4 minutes is spectacular can you share your camera setup it looks like I experience sailing but can never capture

[@paulbargren7063]

You are so at home with your boat. It's great to see. And were you sculling backwards sometimes? Great skill! I did it once or twice - by mistake😊

[@astrorad2000]

Oh My! So exciting, so peaceful! Such a treat for me to watch. Thank you roger for a wonderful voyage. I have shared this video with our good friend, Helen, a French speaking sailor.

[@RustyKnorr]

Peaceful? Complete chaos is more like it.

[@astrorad2000]

@@RustyKnorr it is a dichotomy.😅

[@Ultramesh]

Roger, teaching the French how to tie Reef knots ;) The sea looked rather boisterous in that first beat.

[@AndyJarman]

Even better, he is German!

[@WavingNotDrowning]

It’s Friday after work and I’m watching this video again. Have watched it a ridiculous number of times. It’s just glorious. I must take my boat to that festival. Bucket list item.

[@lava014]

It seems, that the camera does the stabilization by itself? Nice! Like always, great story and a joy to watch!

[@prof.heinous191]

Keep your hair on, you'll give Les Anglais a bad name!!

[@oldjack3023]

Was he serious?

[@prof.heinous191]

@@oldjack3023 Only time will tell...

[@ashleyhoward8926]

Le Porterhouse Blue.

[@prof.heinous191]

@@ashleyhoward8926 Claret for breakfast is never a good thing...

[@hwood9783]

​@@prof.heinous191Exactly ...... a good Burgundy is much better!

[@jimksa67]

Captain Barnes! Great video!

[@rolfpiotrowski4325]

Hey, Roger! Nice video again! And, a great roar, old boy! 😜👍 But, yes! Some of the motor boaties are really stupid! 🤷‍♂️

[@Helliconia54]

as usual, a most enjoyable, and , interesting video.

[@robinengland5799]

I really admire your boat handling skills in such congested waters!! Great sailing! Thank you!!!

[@andrewboyddotcom]

I once had a Cavalle, a half ton 19' ply on larch iron keeled covered in day sailer with an interesting history. Super boat. Unfortunately, divorce and bankruptcy hit. Include one if you ever come accross one in your travels in N France. They were used by Glennans as sail trainers. Love your videos and lifestyle.

[@robstevens5503]

That was a lot in one video. It is a great event to see, but so many boats and so many people, it would be too much for my introvert nature! Solitude can be nice! Some of those early parts trying to find your way to the beach reminded me (not in a good way) of trying to find a park in an shopping complex at Christmas time! I think I am with Erik - it was too intimidating. The stops for coffee would be more my style! Thanks again for a great video.

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Lovely video. Nice to see several CLC Skerrys underway. It is always good to have crew along beating upwind in a chop, isn’t it?

[@paulincumbria]

Like you Roger, we found that, whatever the situation, ribs always, always determined that the solution to avoiding any conflict was to accelerate - ALWAYS! 😂

[@neilparks2078]

Capt. Barnes' irascible moments, complete with gesticulating arms, amount to what we Brits sometimes like to think of as typical 'Gallic' behaviour! His integration into la vie française then, would appear to doinig nicely, but apparently not yet to the extent of an awareness that coming alongside or manoeuvring in close quarters under sail is not considered the done thing in French ports/marinas. - même contre les régulations in many places. Nice to see some exciting gusty sailing!

[@RogerRoving]

It is not generally illegal if you have no engine.

[@neilparks2078]

Glad to hear that; I've always thoroughly enjoyed using only sail in all situations, and have been disgruntled at the port regs. regarding this in France. Look forward to the next video.

[@katej3z715]

Great video of quite an adventure! The French (and the Swiss?) seem to follow at ever increasingly speed, with a glint of ramming in their eyes, except they expect everyone to clear their way. From that point things started to become rather more 'hectic', well, between coffee breaks. At one point 3 boats nearly strapped together. The motor dinghies seemed to loosely following each other. When one left enough wash for a surfer, your exact words were inaudible. But we all knew what they were.

[@thameswanderer]

Ou est Le Seagull? 😊 Great video once again, you must know the Golfe du Morbihan like the back of your hand by now!

[@Pgrtb]

Would have loved to have seen a translation of some of your French…particularly that last encounter with the motor boat.

[@paulaus]

Turn on closed captions it has the translation.

[@loicgalmiche5821]

Wonderful reportage, full of charm and fresh air... the Gulf sometimes as crowded as the Place de la Concorde, applying the same rules and the same anathemas as motor vehicles in Paris... But above all a beautiful solidarity I think

[@pointnemo72]

SCAMP!

[@Beorninki]

I have missed your videos mr. Barnes! Your comments approach poetry in form and the essence, philosophy and lifestyle of sailing small boats intrigues me. Oh, I miss the sea.

[@Brackcycle]

Thanks for sharing the challenges and sometimes frantic moments. You handled them quite smoothly. My romantic view of this festival from a distance was given a hard reality check with this excellent video. Experience wins the day!

[@piotrn9309]

Hi Roger. Have you used camera gimbal for record like that? Is looks incredible. Best regards 😍

[@danielsaccoccio9030]

Fantastic, totally inspiring, one day when I grow up, I’d like to go to a French boat festival, thanks Roger looking forward to the next film. DCA 4232.

[@firebird2]

Wonderful video! It is great to see all the beautiful boats. I suspect there is quite a range in skill level, requiring alertness and patience to move through the festival and enjoy everything offered! We'll done! Thank you for taking us along.

[@mikefule330]

That early part of the video: a traditionally styled cruising dinghy, heavily laden with gear, reefed and dipping the lee gun'l, and the skipper looking completely insouciant. Makes me feel inadequate. Also, nice to see Mary got the Scamp. I hope she's enjoying it.

[@crawford323]

It is hard to define or describe your artistry. As the words of the song spell out, " it's Like trying to tell a stranger about rock and roll. There is an essence which is, as all successful artists, or art, the very best is left up to the interpretation of those who behold it. Their personal experiences adds to the effect which cannot be quantified.

[@Pali65]

I am little bit confused regarding Mary Dooley's boat as I can't find "Scamp" under John Welsford's plans, it looks like Long Steps with one mast.

[@davidharris4062]

Nice to see a video from you, I’ve missed them 👍

[@joewilliams5396]

That was great, I've watched a lot of your videos, the first time I've heard you get annoyed. Very challenging to say the least. I'll have to watch it again, so much going on.

[@AndyJarman]

Tribord!! Nevertheless, it still looked relatively tranquil compared to my home waters on a Saturday morning, not a jetski in sight.

[@timstubbs4827]

Ha...watched the Vid and headed to the Plymouth Roscoff ferry last night and there was Rhubarbie on trailer in front of us or thereabouts, boarding. Good luck Mary, unfortunately never got to say hi 🙂 Famous!

[@mikefriend7570]

A wonderful collection of sailing vessels and the compulsory few lunatics on power boats.

[@robertseaman2254]

It was great to see you in action again roger.set in such stunning location.shame about the rib boats not using common sense,look forward to watching next video.or any updates on your house renovation

[@chrissd08]

Wow! That was awesome. Well done Roger for filming and sailing. Thank you for sharing. Bravo!

[@taffrat3826]

Great vid mate, thanks very much.

[@Sailing_ShoobieDoobie]

You're a great sailor, Roger, and I too would have yelled at the clown who soaked you with his powerboat. Thanks for including that clip in this fine video! Cheers!

[@brucebrown9604]

An exciting video, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of la Semaine du Golfe and the Gallic "joyeux bordel"! I believe you would enjoy reading some of the older Tintin comic strips in French where you can pick up some useful esoteric insults from Le Capitaine Haddock! Thank you for sharing with us! 😎

[@bendunselman]

Is your camera cardanically suspended? The shots give a great impression of the movement of the boat.

[@kevanparker908]

I think your dinghy is fantastic I had never seen one with that single beam at the top of the mast on the sail. obviously you put a lot of skill into your sailing making it look easy., from this video it looks a popular style over in France?

[@police-qm8ig]

Wonderful video, I was there, without a boat, but you captured the event beautifully. I hope to be part of the event with a boat one day, but pretty sire my boat handling skills will need some improvement

[@GrahamRead101]

Great video, captured what seems the hectic organised chaos of it. Reminds me of sailing out of ichenor in chichester harbour - I find it stressful! As always your videos make me want to get out on the water.

[@christophesidonia8640]

How can the camera be so steady and the horizon so horizontal and motionless !!!! That, I wonder.

[@davidwimberley5026]

I think I"ve seen Mary Dooley's KZbin channel at some point in the past. But I can't find it. Can someone name it here? Would love to see more of her new Scamp.

[@plymouthwelshboy]

Great video as always. Thank you. Not my scene really, way too busy and frenetic for me. I prefer solitude but it was really interesting to see the different boats and what is clearly a great festival. Thank you

[@paulthew2]

That was fantastic Roger, as always. Loved the shouting at the speedy motorboat...very different to the usual calm!

[@curronhill2744]

Rough water compounded by many boats and the motor boats cutting in on you did not help! But a fine bit of sailing by you and an enjoyable trip for us watchers. Thanks for taking us along!

[@trosmeneth]

Wonderful but quite a challenge. Thanks Roger.

[@AndyJarman]

Francois Vivier must get a kick out of seeing all those boats built from his own designs.

[@OuranosWars]

Great video ! it's nice to see the other flotillas. I was with the F1 on a Bantry Longboat i hoped to find Avel dro but we went southerly of the gulf. Anyway i hope you had some fun i surely had loads of it. thanks for your videos Cheers !

[@Gary-wb8qt]

Filtered and at the end of his rhode here in America, sailor Sam Holmes smashes a black and white deck shoe onto the deck of of orange ship Mooreed over his anchor! Fake😮 not so...