Month: December 2020

Posted on

A few modifications

Jomano was ready for sailing upon delivery. However, after a few trips we thought a few modifications and additions could make her even better. 

The first thing was to replace the kicker, which was harder than necessary to tension and release in stronger winds. We used a Harken 3:1 kicker system from a Topper dinghy which works well.

A set of tell tales were attached to the sail and a ‘little hawk’ wind indicator was bought to clip onto the mast. These are particularly useful for the fluky katabatic winds in the mountainous areas we sail.

We wanted to add a log and compass. Mechanical paddle logs are not practical to install in a sailing canoe, so we used a Velocitek SpeedPuck GPS speed display. The Compass is a Silva 70P. We attached them to a ‘dashboard’ made from an old Drascombe mast thwart. 

Seating is provided by a pair of moveable bench seats that sit level with the deck. We found from the start they only get in the way, so we removed them and have not used them since the first outing. We either sit on the rear/side decks or cockpit sole. There are foot straps for hiking out.

When paddle-sailing or sailing in light winds single handed, it is useful to be able to sail ‘hands free’ at times. The tiller is taken care of by a loop of elastic as standard. You can get away with your foot to hold the mainsheet, but a proper swivel jammer and ratchet block is much better! It has been fitted to a piece of timber that attaches using the standard seat slides, so can be deployed/removed very easily and quickly. Be careful to only use this arrangement in light winds though, unless you need capsize practice!

Dashboard and mainsheet block/jammer
Posted on

Lockdown :-(

Unfortunately, Covid has put a hold on outings for the time being. However, on the first day of relaxed controls of confinement part II, we did manage to at least get onto the water. No wind and no lakes within the 20km radius we are now allowed to travel, so a paddle on the Loire must suffice. Still great to be out though and no worries about social distancing!

Posted on

Corsica and Majorca

Jomano has enjoyed Easter sailing on the Mediterranean coasts of Corsica and Majorca. Great sailing – april offers a good balance of wind, sun and less tourists. A few images below with Crew #3.

Posted on

Three southern Lakes: Sainte-Coix, Serre-Poncon, Lit au Roi

With a free week, the Skipper and Crew #1 loaded Jomano, hitched the trailer and headed to Lac de Sainte-Coix in the Var, a beautiful lake of 22 km2 fed by the Verdon river and Verdon gorge. A great place for small boat sailing and paddling as only electric boats are licensed to operate here, so no annoying jet skis or power boats.

While crossing the lake, there are plenty of empty beaches to stop and explore.

At the eastern end of the Lake you can continue into the Verdon river. The first part you may have to share with rented canoes and pedalos, but there is a point at which they must stop and return. After this, you will likely be alone. At points the water became too shallow to sail, so we needed to get out and pull a few times until reaching deeper water. Perfect spots for lunch here.

Close to here is Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, considered one of France’s most beautiful villages. We discovered the road just outside of the village can be shared by more than just motor vehicles. Note the Pyrenean Mountain dogs used as sheepdogs. There are also a couple of donkeys in the flock.

We then headed north and explored the 20km long Lac de Serre-Poncon for a couple of days. One memory is all the time we had to observe the chapel on the tiny island in the Baie St Michel as we completed what may have been the slowest circumnavigation in history. The wind disappeared as we entered the bay and we decided it was simply too hot (not to mention peaceful and relaxing) to paddle more than one stroke every few minutes. This place does get busy in the height of summer though.

We then continued north to the Lac du Lit au Roi on the Rhöne river, which was a poor excuse for a lake, but pretty and tranquil nonetheless, with plenty of swans calling it their home. We only needed half a day to explore the area, even though we had little wind and strong currents from the river. It was a nice place to wake up in the morning..

It was then time to head home. A successful trip, showing how easy, practical and fun it was to journey with Jomano on the lakes. We needed to do more. All of them. We googled how many lakes are there in France…

Posted on

Who is Jomano?

Jomano is a Solway Dory Shearwater sailing canoe, built to the Skipper’s specification by Dave and Dave in their barn in the Northumbrian Lake District, UK, before being transported to her home port (garden) in Central France.

Her length overall (LOA) is 16ft (4.9m), with a beam of 40 inches (101 cm).

She is fitted with a freestanding 5m2 bermudan rig and kick-up leeboard and rudder. A pair of outriggers (offering approx 50 lbs buoyancy each) can also be fitted for coastal sailing or stronger winds. For safety, there are buoyancy tanks and watertight hatches fore and aft. The front starboard side tank can be opened and flooded in a capsize to make it easier to get back on board. She has been built with a GRP hull and plywood decks. Jomano can be sailed, paddle sailed, or just paddled (with or without the sailing rig). We haven’t weighed her, but believe the hull to be about 40-43 kg; the Skipper can get her on the roof of the Land Rover on his own (although it is easier with two people).

The Skipper has owned a variety of boats including canoes, kayaks, rowing skiffs, racing catamarans and dinghies, and larger comfortable cruisers. The last of these, a fast Jeanneau 32 footer was sold because 3 new children combined with the demands of work meant she was just not being used. It didn’t help she was berthed on the other side of the sea, and every month the marina fees kept coming. Some years later, an old Drascombe Lugger was acquired to teach the children how to sail. Slow and steady, but still fun, easy to get to different sailing areas and no mooring fees!  However, at times we did get a bit fed up with pulling a trailer and launching and recovery which always seemed to take longer than it should. We wondered if we could go even smaller, and stumbled across the Solway Dory sailing canoes on the internet. We had never seen one or sailed anything like it, but after a few telephone discussions with the builder an order was placed and build slot reserved. We did wonder about this impulse buy on the long drive to the north of England and back to France, but as soon as she was launched for the first time, we realised it was a genius decision! So easy and practical to explore areas near and far, launching from almost anywhere, accessing waters not possible with other boats and loads of fun to sail and paddle. The only downside is she will not accommodate the whole family, but at times that can also be an advantage..

A few photos taken during Jomano’s build: