Avel Dro in Venice - exploring remote backwaters of the lagoon

My camping dinghy "Avel Dro" is trailed 1600km across Europe, all the way from Brittany to Venice. There she joins the Vela Raid, an international group of dinghies and small yachts, for a cruise in company in the Venetian lagoon. After the Raid I am joined by a friend, and we continue to explore the Lagoon for a further week.
INTERESTED IN DINGHY CRUISING?
Read my book, "The Dinghy Cruising Companion":
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And join the Dinghy Cruising Association:
dinghycruising....
MUSIC
Palermo - Trabant 33
Footprints in the Sand - Roots and Recognition featuring Melanie Bell
- both from Epidemic Sound
ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY AND FILMING
Mary Dooley
Ronan Coquil
THANKS
To Giorgio Pavan for his superb organisation of the Vela Raid
APOLOGIES
For my poor Italian and also for some relatively poor quality video at times. I was using a brand new GoPro Max, as my main GoPro ceased to work. I did not really know how to use the new GoPro, or how good its footage and sound would turn out to be. It was bought to take mast top footage, which I did experiment with briefly, but I was forced to use it as my main boat-mounted camera instead.
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, which I bought in France and then imported into the UK, and more recently returned 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 single 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. 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
Note on post-Brexit trade rules. Since January 2021, Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland) residents who buy a boat in France or elsewhere in the EU, with the intention of importing it into the UK, should pay VAT and other duties on the import.

[@vaunmalone3064]

The Venetian lagoon was far more interesting than Venice itself what a great Raid!

[@Leighbuoy]

Utterly marvelous Roger, thanks for the ride..

[@billywhizz6483]

What a delightful cruise and wonderfully captured and narrated. Many thanks!

[@delukxy]

An absolute delight. One of your very best videos. Pleased to see Mary and yourself spending some quality time together. Thank you. PS. A fine painter too, I'm even more impressed.

[@ndsailor]

It’s currently raining here, I could watch this all day. Thanks for the work you put into these videos. What a wonderful friend you have in Mary.

[@damoog5985]

Fantastic Mr Barnes!

[@brubeker12]

I think this is the most lovely film about sailing I have ever seen

[@gonesailing]

A great adventure indeed. Thanks very much Roger and Mary for sharing your experiences ⛵️

[@marktaskerlyngfarm7596]

Sitting here watching and falling into another one of your wonderful adventures, whilst the first serious weekend of Autumn rages outside along with all the problems associated with a ridiculous post Brexit, New Covid World Order. I am tempted to believe there is still happiness and contentment to be found. Thank you Roger, for supplying that temptation. 🙏🌞

[@marcelojauregui4953]

Thanks Roger, your sail lifestyle showing us the most beatiful place in the world. From Argentina , thanks again Roger, following the red sail!!

[@chrissailing8856]

We’ve just visited Venice and the island. We used your wonderful video as a guide and loved Burano.

[@surreyarborist]

Not a single cruise ship shown how delightful!

[@TomTremayne]

Roger Barnes is a genius on so many levels!

[@RogerRoving]

Faking until he makes it...

[@aliasAF-j9r]

Better than a movie, your video. Thank you.

[@johnburgess5534]

Not a high rise building in sight. They’ve all sunk in Venetian mud. Wonderful cruise. Thanks Roger and Mary.

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Mr Barnes, pleasure to see you out enjoying life in your boat!

[@mickymack1230]

What a marvelous journey, the only way to see all that the lagoon has to offer.

[@stevenholton438]

Utterly terrific Roger, thanks for the vicariousness!

[@markjenkins6810]

I feel like I’ve just been on holiday! Marvellous Roger - Thoroughly enjoyed that, you captured the beauty of the place perfectly👍

[@bobfellows5758]

So lovely, so relaxed and leaves a warm glow.

[@sailingseriously2035]

Bout bloody time Rog. 😎

[@RogerRoving]

Yes, well, I've been sailing.

[@sailingseriously2035]

@@RogerRoving As you should…Love your work and you have inspired me to restore a 50 year old Heron Dinghy that is now done. Took me six months with the most being done whilst in hard lockdown. Still in so haven’t had the maiden voyage. Looking forward to that. Regards Ian Melbourne, Australia.

[@andyjarman4958]

@@sailingseriously2035 Ian, are you going to post a video? I'm wrestling with building my own Ilur in Perth - Roger's videos can be such a tease. Every day I gaze out across the Indian Ocean fantasising about which inshore islands and lagoons I will be sailing to 'next year'.

[@sailingseriously2035]

@@andyjarman4958 Hi Andy….I didn’t get any footage of the resto, only photos and not enough of them unfortunately. I probably can on the voyage. We own and sail a Noelex 25 but the dinghy has completely got my attention at this point. As I said, inspire by Roger. I can’t recommend enough having a go at a build or a restoration. Very satisfying. The epoxy glue and marine ply these days are first class. KZbin is an enormous help also. You can certainly do it. Regards Ian

[@garymalm]

Now that is something REALLY different. In the future, more details of the other boats would be interesting. Thanks Roger.

[@paullynch9376]

Well done Roger, you hit all the buttons with your honest and pleasant trips. Bon Voyage to you and Avel Dro 😃😃😃

[@wilsnich02]

Wow, just outstanding. I have only ever seen doc's on the tourist parts of Venice, this was so much better, thankyou !!

[@mwallace2922]

Loved it thanks very much for posting. 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@rolfpiotrowski4325]

Hey, Roger! Thank you, for showing us the mostly unknown side of Venice! What a lovely ride it was..! 😊👍

[@coalfieldbeelovergerald3687]

Roger ! What a treat to sail along as your crew via video. Venice n the region are absolutely amazing. Thankz for the beautiful share n experience… cheers 🥂 Nick.

[@barryhannon5634]

"Pure Magic, Thank You"!

[@paullynch9376]

Well done Rodger, you hit all the buttons with an honest and charming film once again. I was a little nervous to see Avel Dro being launched by someone else. Bon Voyage to you both 😃😃😃

[@papajeff5486]

Wonderful to see a part of Venice that is not a tourist hotspot. Thanks. The gentle, familiar way you said, “My friend, Mary, flew down to see me”. Man-O-Man, you are sooooo hooked, line and sinker. Mighty fine way go…. Heh, heh…. Texas

[@NA-su3jk]

If bbc had a clue, they would build a program around your travels. Best British ambassador ever.

[@romantiachristiana5147]

Wonderful, Roger, I have just watched the video. Greetings to Mary.

[@brucebrown9604]

When videos become poetry, this is what they are like! Thank you Roger.

[@dkeaton100]

Roger, I have been watching silently for years. What you did from (20:47 to 22:21) was masterful. Hats off, sir. Turns out, you are a badass. We all knew.

[@francescore6119]

Hey Roger, it was nice meeting you in Le Giare during your Vela Raid. I was sitting next to you during dinner. Amazing video. Beautiful way to tell about your experience in Venice on your marvellous sailboat. Fair winds.

[@wendysalter]

What a special place. Thanks for taking us along. Beautiful photo-shots.

[@WarrenLongCanada]

Well done Roger, thanks for the intro to the Venice Lagoon. I really enjoyed both parts of your trip, sailing with the Vela Raid group and your exploring with Mary. Yet another thing I have to to my bucket list. It was really nice to see stuff outside of the Venice tourist maelstrom.

[@richardbradley961]

THANK YOU ROGER, VERRY INTERSTING AND SOOTHING. REGARDS RICHARD.

[@SailingKateLouise]

Thanks Roger I love Venice, but it seems so long ago, a lovely escape and so much more to see than the tourist hotspots, glad to see Avel Dro on the road , I want more, Cheers Paul on sailingkatelouise

[@gacastro]

Thanks for expanding my understanding of Venice. Beautiful!

[@jeanletreust72]

Nous attendions quelques images! Les voilà ! Superbe vidéo ! Merci Roger! Bonjour à Mary ! JYves

[@superwag634]

i love Venice. Have been there twice all the way from Australia via Russia and would happily go 10 more times.

[@quentinwoods8811]

Thanks Roger Amazing to think of the hot spot of Venice in this vast lagoon and waterways so relaxed and tranquil. Truely a treat.

[@clivegreenall309]

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experiences, Roger. I visited Venice during the late 60's, and never imagined the rest of the area until now. Regards from S Africa Clive

[@hendrikarqitekt6286]

I am glad you are enjoying yourself.Torcello is great. Wauw, that lagoon is marvelous. Your friend is looking good, Roger.

[@Ultramesh]

Really interesting video. This inspires me to go and visit again. Not been for years, and the tourist trap fandango is what puts one off.

[@garymilstead4199]

This is inspiring me to put some work aside and get back in my boat.

[@makethewayajourney9372]

A little bit jealous 😉. Well done and thank you for this superb video. Greetings from the north.

[@gems34]

Such a delight to watch, glad Mary got to join you and share the experience.

[@olvit1951]

Спасибо за это видео особенное. Я живу в Калининграде, в России и я ваш большой поклонник. Именно вы вдохновили меня на покупку динго, на которой я собираюсь путешествовать. Это старая голландская лодка 4700 мм. Мне будет 70 в ноябре, но я намерен провести оставшееся время не на диване. Еще раз спасибо за видео. Я был в Венеции на велосипеде, но ваше видео совсем другое. Новых путешествий вам и новых фильмов!!

[@pauljessome5718]

Roger You have taken us to a wonderous place. Paul in Canada

[@capng]

I've always thought if I had a choice of only one place to visit in Europe, it would be Venice, just because of all the canals & smaller boats. Never thought of visiting there by small boat though. Not sure my Nordica 16 is up for a trans-Atlantic voyage, since trailering there would not be an option from Canada. Thanks for the vicarious cruise!

[@stevewagstaff8211]

Thanks Roger, currently flooding here on the Sunshine Coast OZ. This has been a beautiful distraction, I'm currently building a Scamp and find your videos inspirational, thank you for this. Cheers Steve

[@stonetoolcompany3649]

Wonderful….. I have always had minimal tolerance for cities and crowds. So many peaceful retreats so close to Venice…..

[@mikewillis2934]

Wonderful video! Small boats sailing at its best!

[@romantiachristiana5147]

Life in Venice!

[@snakeeyes4424]

Beautiful Venician Lagoon cruise Roger...

[@SybrenArnoldus]

What an amazing adventure and a beautiful film. I didn’t know the Venice lagune is so calm and interesting. Thank you so much Roger & friends for sharing it with us.

[@geraldtrumpp2340]

So cute! - Avel dro in Italy :-) You really show, what Dinghi cruising means. By the way, when I see you bearded and painting, you remind me a little bit at the legendary canoeist Bill Mason (path of the paddle) in the 80ties and 90ties, who also was a skilled painter. Keep on going!

[@Jan-iv9tx]

Thanks for sharing a place by waterways, a place I’ve wanted to see. Lovely!

[@JohnWujack]

I've just returned home to Washington State from my first visit to Venice. For several days, I kept thinking what an extraordinary small boat cruising area this must be. Thank you for sharing. You lovely presentation might just be as close as I'll get to a Venetian small boat cruise. Thank you for sharing and with appreciation, John

[@sabatieryves6536]

Magnifique. Un de mes rêves des années 80 , et que je n'ai pas pu réaliser sur mon premier croiseur de 5,5 m......

[@TruckerOak]

Ah! I Just had to watch again. 🙂 Definitely a favorite. Thank you again Roger (and Mary). All the best to you.

[@RogerRoving]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@harryme472]

Beautifully edited Roger ! Almost like being there , thank you so much for letting us tag along.

[@robbinbaker5497]

Very nice. Thank you

[@joetrump5844]

This was great….. I’ve never been to Venice………. But this was the least expensive way to have visited. Thank you for sharing. Love 💕 your videos. 😎

[@fabmanly1070]

Fantastic

[@grahamburgess2]

Thanks Roger, lovely video. In 2018 I trailered my boat Ondine to that very same boat club and was craned in by that same crane. I'd gone with two friends to do the annual 'Vogalonga' (long row). It's a 30km course around the lagoon ending up coming down the Grand Canal. Over 2000 'human powered' boats take part and it was magnificent. However, your video has got me thinking about going back to explore further, and next time under sail rather than oars.

[@stephenbrown1689]

Fantastic video roger you really put meaning to dinghy cruising. Thanks for sharing

[@elpastor1975]

Bellissimo, grazie! I live 20km far from Venice and in your video I've seen places I've never been there.

[@jamescavner4242]

Much enjoyed, thank you for taking us along! You make me feel like a companion on the adventure!

[@Helliconia54]

beautiful video, as usual. Thank you for showing us, Venice.

[@JeanZoomRindel]

Thanks Roger! Great video again. I just love how normally you describe the beautiful place you were sailing.... and then "we ran aground". All said in the same tone of voice. Loved it!

[@ILoveYouVenice]

Bellissimo video...Grazie!

[@cliffterpher]

Lovely to see you enjoying the splendours of Europe 🇪🇺!

[@nordicsailing]

Looks a lovely place to sail.

[@shempdoll]

Bravo.

[@justthatbloke]

One of your nicest film, thank you.

[@elaynewhite069]

Having been as a tourist in mid summer we really enjoyed your sailing version of Venice..Been a long wait but fully worth it.

[@hobnob4224]

An extraordinary, eye-opening video.

[@misransiano6265]

Wow, what a beautiful trip to Venice, thank you for sharing , Roger

[@gobinagache9560]

Always a joy to see one of Rogers videos appear. The CC interprets the sound of waves as “applause”. I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for sharing Roger!

[@broderickwallis25]

A great perspective on the surrounds and topography of Venice... Nice one Woger...

[@kayakmalta2444]

You don't just create good videos but you manage to take us on the joorney with you. Then your naration is second to none.

[@garrymartin6474]

Hugh penny drop moment. I recall back in the mid 1960's as a young child asking my Dad why he liked the Norfolk Broads so much and he replied "it reminds me of the years I spent stationed around Venice" 50 odd years later i see what he meant. Fabulous film, I wish he was here to share his memories and watch it with me, I'm certain he would have enjoyed it . Also around the world in 80 days Venetian bin men reference !

[@garethbarker9498]

Great stuff Roger 👍🏻

[@maxflight777]

That cheered me up; seeing this in my you tube suggestions !! Wow !

[@LostPlanet360]

Bemsha swing, great tune!

[@MrVillageKid]

Thanks Roger for another great video. Your style is unique and very appealing.

[@jayglass5831]

Excellent adventure sparkeled by Mary

[@jerryseymour2738]

That was a great adventure!

[@danielculpepper8772]

Wow, what’s to say? Perfect. Thanks!

[@harleyjune1233]

enviable small/big vacation - awesome

[@grumpyoldman2744]

Another awesome video I love riding along with you

[@philotown]

Another excellent and beautifully put together video. Thank you Roger, it`s very well done and much appreciated. Really great to see you and Mary adventuring together again. 👍

[@yvesbouchardmoiaussi9717]

Amasing team You and Mary 😁😁👍👍

[@scottbobo2145]

"Bravo, Bravo !!!! Well Done.

[@zerofox7347]

Cool video. Mary is a star ⭐️

[@paullaviolette2610]

What a beautiful video you made here. Not only showing us a part of the world we all wish to see but it’s the way in which you can narrate. Your words fit together so nicely. Thanks for having us onboard with you !

[@jumpyair6705]

That looked like an absolutely wonderful trip, brilliant video quality and audio quality and a lovely adventure. Great stuff Roger !

[@geraldtonjjeeper]

Wonderful!