Jean Marie Finot: 10 Classic Boats to remember the master of France
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Jean Marie Finot has left us, one of the greatest naval architects who ever designed a hull. A pioneer and signature of excellence, Finot was a true sculptor of boating, participating fully in making it as we know it today. Active since the early 1970s, he has indeed given us unforgettable hulls and, in this our column dedicated to ‘Classic Boats,’ we cannot but remember him in this regard. Here are 10 memorable (series) hulls, signed by the very great Jean Marie Finot.
Jean Marie Finot: 10 Classic Boats to remember the master of France
From that first Ecume de Mer-conceived under the wing of another great master, Harlè-and the subsequent Comet 910, Finot then went on to sign some of the most important boats of the second half of the 20th century, continuing into this century. Among the exceptional ones were also many serial classics. Here are 10 to remember the Master.
Addio Jean Marie Finot, se ne è andato il guru che ha rivoluzionato la vela moderna
ECUME DE MER
specifications: Mallard; 7.87 x 2.67 m; 1968; Jean Marie Finot
A very young man, Finot was apprenticed under Harlè when he built the Ecume de Mer, a prototype aluminum Quarter Tonner, made by Royal Huisman for Finot himself. The Mallard shipyard quickly understood the merits of the design and obtained to mass-produce it in fiberglass. From ’68 to ’80 it will produce as many as 1385 examples. Striking numbers and two Quarter Ton Cups won, in 1970 and ’72. Outstanding debut.
Jean Marie Finot. COMET 910
specifications: Comar; 9.1 x 3.06 m; 1971; Jean Marie Finot + Van De Stadt
Mass construction in fiberglass was still in its infancy when, in Forlì, Comar (Sipla) approached Finot through Cino Ricci. From this input, a striking pairing was born, Finot and the Dutchman Van De Stadt, from which an exceptional little hull, the Italian Comet 910, would be born. Incredible success, 490 boats launched making it an icon of sailing.
PASSER
specifications: Sartini; 8.55 x 3.05 m; 1971; Jean Marie Finot
The Passatore confronts us with a design that made Italian sailing history. Made of glued cross laminated plywood, it was produced in more than 136 examples from 1971 to 1982, creating a legend. Known for her huge stern, a masterpiece of Finot’s and very wide for the time, she proved excellent in racing and beloved by the cruising public, who, by the standards of the time, found adequate volumes even for cruising. She was in short order the school bench for many sailors, including, again, Cino Ricci.
Jean Marie Finot. GRAND SOLEIL 34
specifications: Pardo Shipyard; 10.18 x 3.44 m; 1972; Jean Marie Finot
Jean Marie Finot is now more than a rising star, and in Italy, a small revolution is bringing a new shipyard to the market. It will be the Cantiere del Pardo. For the rising colossus, however, an exceptional hull is needed to make its mark on the market, and, Finot, brings the solution. It is the Grand Soleil 34, a boat totally out of the box at the time, with a short deckhouse and a huge stern: a huge success, as many as 300 examples and a production longevity of 11 years. Cult.
COMET 11
specifications: Comar; 10.8 x 3.60 m; 1977; Jean Marie Finot
In 1977 Comar will make a giant bet. Playing the cards, the iconoclastic hand of Finot. From the pairing will thus be born an unprecedented hull, something never before seen in the world of cruising boats. It is the Comet 11. It will be sold in an impressive number of examples: 187 hulls. Vintage purists will never like it, but it was certainly an original landmark in world sailing design.
Jean Marie Finot. FIRST CLASS 12
specifications: Beneteau; 11.99 x 3.80 m; 1985; Jean Marie Finot
“Not everyone competes in the Admiral’s Cup, but many dream of doing so”-that was the statement with which Beneteau launched First Class 12, its IOR 40′, Finot’s masterpiece. Three special hulls participated in Admiral’s in ’87, making the boat a must among racers of the time.
Jean Marie Finot. COMET 460
specifications: Comar; 14.2 x 3.80 m; 1987; Jean Marie Finot
Second half of the 1980s, Comar again. Comet 460 is born, another resounding success signed Finot. 120 examples. The recipe was simple: even before the hull went into production, it was commissioned in such numbers as to cover the entire production capacity. The result? A boat that knew how to be a perfect synthesis of the delicate balance between series and quality. In short, a hull that is fast, comfortable, and, above all, impeccable in quality.
GRAND SOLEIL 38
specifications: Cantiere del Pardo; 11.89 x 3.74 m; 1990; Jean Marie Finot + Pascal Conq
Born in 1990, it will remain throughout the decade one of the most popular hulls to leave the yard. It is the Grand Soleil 38, designed by the Finot-Conq duo. A sloop with elegant lines and good pace in every gait, it is a rational boat, also strong with a very hospitable cockpit and more than well laid out rigging. The quality, needless to say, is top notch; both above and below deck. A classic among turn-of-the-century Grand Soleils.
FIGARO SOLO
specs: Cantiere del Pardo; 11.89 x 3.74 m; 1990; Jean Marie Finot + Berret
Developed in collaboration between Groupe Finot and Berret for the Solitaire du Figaro regatta, the Figaro Solo was a small revolution, highly appreciated from the start. From its earliest version it was characterized by a powerful sail on fractional rigging with flying rigging, resulting in a fast hull, strong synthetic foam sandwich with structural counter-molding and efficient weight distribution.
FIRST 31.7
specifications: Cantiere del Pardo; 9.61 x 3.23 m; 1998; Jean Marie Finot + Pascal Conq
Heir to the First 310 and Figaro – of which it mirrors the water lines, drift bulb and large aft wetted area – the First 31.7 was part of the range restyling that took place in the late 1990s at Beneteau. Co-signed by Finot, this is a boat that does not disdain cruising, cabined and spacious for 4, but very strong with a racing disposition like few, and the deck layout well demonstrates this. Still widespread and highly appreciated today.
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