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History
The Jean de la Lune was built in 1957 as a French Motor Fishing Vessel in Lorient and worked from Douarnenez in Brittany. Her fine lines are those of a traditional French sailing vessel; we think she was designed for sail but was fitted with an engine due to the economics of fishing when motor displaced sail. As her hull was in very sound condition at the end of her fishing career in the mid 1970s, she was bought for conversion to sailing and was taken to Colchester by her new owners who spent eight years shipping her down to the bare hull and rebuilding her as a staysail schooner with accommodation for 4 crew and 12 guests in 7 well appointed cabins. In 1983 JDL started work as a charter vessel mainly taking scuba divers around the Scottish Western Isles and particularly St Kilda. Winter 1985 saw her depart for the Caribbean and the following year she did a 3 month stint with Operation Raleigh. The current owner, bought JDL in 1988. He is a keen traditional sailor and saw further potential for the vessel as a square rigged sailing ship. Alterations were required to bring the vessel up to sail training safety standards so, returning to Leith every winter, the improvements were gradually made. In addition, the main engine was overhauled, fuel tanks were replaced, new sewage holding tanks were fitted, the ship was rewired and replumbed and a new galley compliant with shorebased health standards was installed. Over the winter of 1992/93, the 81ft foremast was removed from the ship, completely stripped and rerigged for three square sails. When all was put back, JDL was transformed into a Brigantine and became the first ship to cross yards in Leith for over 60 years! The rig was put to the test during the following season but still utilising the Bermudan main from the Schooner rig. 1994 saw the completion of the full conversion with the replacement of the Bermudan mainsail with a gaff. The 4400sq.ft. of her new rig has surpassed all expectations of both speed and handling; the evidence of this being our regular appearance among the fastest five in the Cutty Sark Tall Ships' Race. The winter and spring of 1997-98 saw the long planned major refit taking place in Leith with the original deck house and aft accommodation being completely removed, the stern rebuilt to form a poop deck with wheel mounted outside and improved crew accommodation below. A new steel watertight deckhouse comprising 20 seat saloon, new galley with additional cold storage to enable more fresh produce to be carried and a pilot / charthouse aft were added. A fifth steel watertight bulkhead was added aft of the engine room and a fan powered ventilation system was installed for the accommodation area. Upgrading and maintenance has continued each winter with new GMDSS being installed in 2002, new toilets and showers fitted in 2003 when the engine was also overhauled and in 2004 new grey and black water tanks were fitted. |
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For further details or to arrange to view, please contact Adrian Espin at: - Astonbury Marine Services 19 Colne Road, Brightlingsea, Essex, CO7 0DL Tel: 01206 305 996 or +44 1206 305 996 or email to: adrian@EasternYachts.com In this case we are acting as Brokers only. The Vendor is not selling in the course of a business. Whilst every care has been taken in their preparation, the correctness of these particulars is not guaranteed. The particulars are intended only as a guide and they do not constitute a term of any contract. A prospective buyer is strongly advised to check the particulars and, where appropriate, to have the vessel fully surveyed and inspected, sea trialled and opened up. All Content is copyright - all rights reserved. |
