LOA |
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6.80 m - 22' 4" |
LWL |
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6.33 m - 20' 9" |
Beam |
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2.3 m - 7' 6" |
Weight: hull/ballast |
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1050/300 kg - 2315/661 lbs. |
Sail area |
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28 m² - 301 ft² |
Méaban is a pocket, trailerable classic cruiser with accommodation for 3 or 4. The centerboard is designed in to pivot under the cockpit sole, avoiding a cumbersome centerboard case in the middle of the cabin. This allows both a large cockpit for day cruising as well as minimal but practical accommodations with a small galley, many lockers, a toilet between fore berths, a sliding chart table and a foldable dinner table.
A well for the outboard motor is built aft of the cockpit with the motor handle at the helmsman's reach. The propeller is just ahead of the rudder for good manoeuvrability. A 4 stroke - 4 to 6 HP - motor may be installed and is completely hidden under the aft deck.
The cockpit is self-draining for safety.
To be trailerable, the boat needs to be light with a minimum of ballast for stability. That is why Méaban is built on an « egg box » structure, with longitudinal and transverse bulkheads made of 10 mm marine grade plywood. These are covered with 15 mm thick strip planks and a thin layer of glass-epoxy. Alternatively, planking may be made of cold molded plywood. The latter version is easier to build and lighter.
Méaban was designed with a gaff sloop rig but a Marconi rig is also possible if preferred.
The first Méaban, built by home builder Thierry Fouchier, was launched in the Basque country in April 2006. The boat performs very well and gives full satisfaction to her owner, both in term of speed and sea-keeping.
Méaban is easily trailered thanks to her modern construction techniques. But, as with all my designs, I wanted to draw a true classic. One that was beautiful and suited to an alternate way of sailing, far from modern marinas. For instance, shallow draft makes Meaban an excellent boat for visiting small drying harbours. Legs are provided for that purpose and a stowage place is arranged for them under the cockpit.
Méaban is professionally built by Grand-Largue (near Saint Malo). The boatyard is also selling a kit, including a full set of plywood parts cut on a CNC machine.
Several Meabans are presently under construction in France, Germany and The Czech republic.
Click HERE for a two page PDF document with a few Méaban drawings.
Click the thumbnails below for Méaban photo albums:
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