Anyone familiar with the French sailing scene will also know the Muscadet, a pretty little coastal cruiser of French origin, which can still be seen in large numbers in Brittany and which also brings together veritable regatta fields. The Muscadet, designed by Philippe Harlé, was built over 600 times between 1963 and 1979.
In 2019, the Chantiers Brava shipyard in Nantes resumed production of the Muscadet and has since been building a new version of the 6.40 metre long forecastle with its narrow stern according to old plans and in line with the construction regulations of the existing regatta class. Now, however, the shipyard is going one step further and wants to realise the extremely successful concept of the Muscadet in a slightly larger version. The type designation: Brava 25.
The Brava 25 is an enlarged Muscadet
The new ship is just over a metre longer than the Muscadet and is also a forecastle, i.e. a ship in which the cabin superstructure runs sideways through to the hull. The look may be strange and old-fashioned, but the design has many advantages. The space gain is particularly beneficial for the interior below deck. A dinette is provided in the saloon on the port side, where four people can sit and eat comfortably at the table. The table can be lowered to create a nice double bed for two people with additional cushions. Two more people can sleep in the foredeck, which also offers plenty of space. The small boat is also fully suitable for touring thanks to a kitchen block with sink and gas hob to the side of the companionway and a chemical toilet under a cover between the forward berth and dinette.
The construction plans come from the renowned French design office of VPLP. Compared to the legendary Muscadet, the Brava 25 is wider at the back. The multi-buckling panther has a sporty rig without backstay with a fully battened mainsail with squarehead. A short overlapping genoa is attached as a headsail and additional space wind sails such as a code zero or gennaker are attached to the fixed bowsprit. The cockpit is spacious and offers room for up to six people. The smart coastal cruiser is steered with a tiller.
The Brava 25 is built entirely from wood. The hull, deck and bulkheads are made of marine plywood. The keel is made of cast iron with a lead ballast body. However, a variant with variable draft (lifting keel or swivelling keel) is not planned. Shipyard boss Pierre Cizeau is not yet able to name a price for the Brava 25. He is still in negotiations with the suppliers.
Technical data Brava 25
- Hull length: 7.50 m
- Width: 2.90 m
- Draught: 1.60 m
- Weight: 1,600 kg
- Ballast/proportion: 600 kg / 37 %
- Sail area downwind: 36.0 m²
- Motorisation: Outboard motor / electric pod motor installed
- CE design category: B/3 pers., C/5 pers., D/7 pers.
