Hobbyist

Amateur boat and sailboat building is the adventure before the adventure.
Many sailboats are born of the hands of passionate amateur builders, and these sailboats sail well and far.

It's a legal, exciting but demanding activity, often carried out in a garage, personal workshop or small boatyard.

Characteristics of an amateur build:

• Independence: the amateur chooses the design (often purchased from a naval architect), materials (wood, aluminum, steel, plywood, polyester...) and equipment.
• Savings: the cost is generally lower than buying a new boat, but this depends on the care taken, the materials chosen and the construction time.
• Time: amateur construction often takes several years (from 2 to 10), especially if done part-time.
• Legality: in France and Europe, amateur builders can register their boats, but must comply with certain rules, notably the European Directive 2013/53/EU on safety, especially for boats over 2.5 meters.

Compulsory formalities

• Declaration to the French Maritime Affairs (or other competent authority).
• CE self-certification for boats launched after 1998: the builder is legally responsible for compliance.
• Tests for stability, buoyancy, etc., often required if you intend to sail off inland waters.
• Appointment of a notified body (if the navigation category is demanding), although this is rarely the case for simple constructions.

Examples of amateur-built boats

• Joshua (Bernard Moitessier): steel, designed for high seas.

  Damien (Bardiaux/Loïc Péron): aluminum boat, integral dinghy.

  Mini 6.50 or Berret, Lombard, Rolland designs: often built by sailors for the Mini Transat.