Boats up to date: Bihan 5.80: small coastal hopper with a wide range of uses
Like the land, like the boats: the Gulf of Morbihan in Brittany is one of the most famous and popular sailing areas in France. As an almost inland waterway with an Atlantic connection and therefore not insignificant tides, the widely ramified area is particularly interesting for small boats with variable draughts. This is the case, for example, for the boats from the local shipyard Marine Composite. After the Bihan 6.50 (YACHT 23/2016 test), the small shipyard in picturesque Arzon now has a smaller version of the smart coastal cruiser in its programme.
The Bihan 5.80 is based on the same concept as its bigger sister, but remains uninhabitable as a daysailer without a cabin. The special feature of both boats in the Bihan series is their carbon fibre gaff rig. It not only gives the boats a visually distinctive identity, but also combines a number of advantages. The very light rig, made from round carbon fibre tubes, can be set up and lowered very easily and by just one person using a hinge. In addition, the low mast height makes it easier to pass under bridges and the mainsail can be trimmed easily and very efficiently with the gaff. However, the shipyard Marine Composite also wants to offer a conventional high rig with spreaders, upper and lower shrouds as an option for the Bihan 5.80.
Finot-Conq's design features angular hull lines with a very voluminous bow, pronounced chines and a very flat stern frame. In the YACHT test, the boat sailed very stiffly and balanced in light to moderate wind conditions. In addition, the swivelling keel with lead body provides plenty of righting moment. The swivelling fin can also be almost completely retracted into the hull. This means that the draught can be reduced to a minimum of 20 centimetres, which makes it particularly easy to launch and retrieve the boat via the slip ramp. The low weight of the Bihan 5.80 also helps: the boat, which is built entirely using the vacuum infusion process, weighs just 560 kilograms ready to sail. Thanks to the integral swivelling keel and retractable rudder blade, it is also easy to beach the boat or regularly fall dry in tidal waters.
The Bihan 5.80 costs 29,160 euros net ex shipyard and including sails. Including 19% VAT, the price ready to sail is 34,700 euros. The YACHT test editorial team has already had the opportunity to take the new Bihan 5.80 for a longer spin on the Golf du Morbihan. The detailed test report will follow in one of the next issues. Until then, the first photos from the YACHT test are available below as a gallery.
The bigger sister Bihan 6.50. The picture gallery from the YACHT test
