Up the River
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- A daysail on the River Goyen in West Brittany. Starting at the coastal community of Sainte Evette, we sail up the tidal river to the little town of Pont Croix, at the head of navigation, and then back down the channel with the ebb tide. My crew Suzanne Van Soest had never sailed on Avel Dro before, and you share her experiences as she learns to sail my traditionally-rigged, sail-and-oar dinghy for the first time.
INTERESTED IN DINGHY CRUISING?
Read my book, the Dinghy Cruising Companion:
www.amazon.co....
And join the Dinghy Cruising Association:
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AVEL DRO
Do you want a boat like mine?
Avel Dro is an Ilur designed by François Vivier, and built of clinker plywood by Les Charpentiers Reunis of Cancale in 1994. The design is based closely on the traditional inshore fishing boats of Brittany in the early years of the twentieth century, hence her single boom-less lugsail rig and lack of a mainsheet horse, (sometimes controversial among my viewers). Although rare in Britain, Ilurs are relatively common in France. The name Avel Dro is Breton, and means a shifting wind.
Length 4.44 m
Sail area 12.2 m²
Beam 1.70 m
Draught 0.25 / 0.86 m
Design category C3
François Vivier's website (in English):
www.vivierboats...
Similar dinghies can often be found for sale in the French magazine le Chasse-Marée:
www.chasse-mar...
Or try Le Bon Coin, (where you can buy anything in France):
www.leboncoin.fr
TITLE MUSIC
"Solace" by Scott Buckley
www.scottbuckley.com.au
![Will My Boat Survive the Ship Canal? [Ep 152]](/img/n.gif)
It is when we teach someone that we realize how much intuition or feel there is in sailing.
We tend to over-explain and confuse the student.
However when they "get it" it is great to see the smile and confidence growing.
Well done Roger. gary (in Japan)
It’s much harder to explain what’s needed than to feel it. Things happen relatively quickly after a period of nothingness - vis the buoys in mid harbour when the tide took you down over them.
A lovely video of a long quiet day in gentle airs on the river. Thank you.
Exactly Gary. It's formal lessons v Dad giving you driving lesson ; " just ease off the clutch and put a little pressure on the accelerator, JESUS, NOT THAT MUCH! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!!... that's it, and into fourth gear and keep to the left at this junction".
Suzanne is charming. But all that needs to be said is this is another great Roger Barnes video. It’s what an open boat sailor wants to see. Especially through a long, hard winter.
Brilliant video Roger. I’m sure that we all heartily agree that your Plan B should replace Plan A on a regular basis. Also that the irate dock keeper was thoroughly jealous,,,,,
"...Plan B should replace Plan A on a regular basis.." Hilarious.
I had a good laugh when you made the comment about "Dutch women" Roger. Both of you are delightful. I have a Dinghy Zephyr class sailboat, has a crank down 100lb steel keel, twenty foot mast, main sail and jib. She needs work to get her sea worthy again, after many years in a leaky cow barn. The first sailboat my dad bought when I was about 5 years old; we took it out then, on a lake in November, in Nebraska, USA. It was cold cold... He gave it to me when he bought a bigger boat, in my twenties. Sailing has an enchantment about it that is incommensurable. I Enjoy your videos. Martin
You rascal Roger! I was waiting for the smooth sweet talking sunset monologue for Suzanne and damnit if I didn't get it. "Silky sea gently caressing our hull." That's the good stuff Rog!
It is very difficult for a lone sailor to instruct a novice. You did better than I would have. I think I liked this video most of all. Thank you.
I really liked the look of pure joy on her face once she realized she was sailing.
Great video. Shame about the unpleasantness but makes for a bit of excitement. Well done Suzanne, for putting up with him!
A stunningly beautiful river and the boat sounds on the water near the beginning were a complete delight. The joy on Suzanne's face when the boat first got underway... Another soul captured by the magic of wind water and sail. Thank for the lovely video.
Suzanne has a beautiful smile. Hope to see her in more of your videos.
good on you Suzanne, keep that Roger in line and on the oars. classic tale, thank you both, she reminds me of my youth potzing around near Tiburg with a Marianne in the mid 60's.
It's always a bit of a head wrecker when you transfer from centre-sheeted to stern-sheeted. I had an "instructor" who kept telling me I was facing the wrong direction on tacking - he hadn't realised I was in stern-sheeted dinghy; I didn't appreciate there was a difference in rigging types at that stage and kept wondering why it felt so awkward to do it his way. Fair play Suzanne! Keep 'em coming Roger!
Sailing tuition from the master! Suzanne picked things up quickly, and we learnt a bit too. Oooh, the purple prose at the end, ha, ha.
Another wonderful video - although not sure Plan B was impressed with Roger's wet sandals in her car! I love Roger's organisation and setup of the Avel Dro and never ceases to amaze how those crumpled cloth sails never seem to fill with wind but nevertheless propel Roger at surprising speed in the lightest conditions.
Suzanne is lovely. Way to go Roger. I hope she is in future videos as she is an extra reason to watch.
That girl has such a beautiful temperament. You look smitten. What a delight to watch this. We actually are really enjoying these videos of small boat cruising and touring. We want the smaller boat now!! A folkboat would be ideal but these little dinghy sailboats so charming. Thanks for your videos,,chap. (From Midwest U.S.).
Thanks for a great video. Suzanne was indeed the perfect crew and a quick learner, her growing confidence, beautiful smile 😊 and natural grace was a pleasure to witness. I hope the unpleasant encounter with ‘French officialdom’ did not deter her from setting sail in the future. What came across well was the peace and tranquillity that is to be found in quiet estuary.
It was quite fun to watch your student learn how your boat operates. The scenery seen in this video was so lovely! We all enjoy your videos so MUCH!
When in France, do as the Dutch
Cheers, great vid - I love the way that dinghy just wants to go. Only no wind will stop it.
Dear Roger, you have the best Plan B a mariner could find.
I had the very bad thought that, maybe, your car did not start on purpose...
In the name of France, I apologize for the person who annoyed you and scared Suzanne.
Despite this forgettable episode, I hope Suzanne enjoyed her journey on Avel Dro.
Thanks for sharing.
10:05....the old "his hand on her hand on the tiller" trick. Roger, you sly devil! Haha! :-D
It just goes to show, what added value a plan-B could create. You did it again Roger. Would have loved to see the pontoon master having a fit though ;-)
Très beau film, un plan B heureux ou heureuse plutôt de découvrir Avel Dro, l'aventure vers Pont Croix et pour finir ces belles couleurs chaudes du soir!
So brave of both of you - teaching and learning a foreign skill - first time around and on video.
Good on ya. Both instructor and student passed all tests!
How to tell crew their intuitive repositioning is imperative to the enjoyment of the sail!
Years ago,I had a classic Old Town sloop.Beautiful bost.Every where ,I sailed,people were enamored with the boat and wanted to sail with me. I never had a beautiful lady like Suzanne sail with me.You are so fortunate to have such a lovely sailing companion who is sharing the joy of sailing.
Enjoy all your videos. Thank you for taking the time to show everything you do when sailing! It must be time-consuming to record all the videos vs just going sailing! I would also be interested to know how you became interested in sailing and what you learned before settling on the type of boat you have. As a college student in the 1970s, I sailed in San Francisco Bay with a Lido 14 and a Laser, the boats offered by the sailing club I joined.
Marvelous sail with Roger. Suzanne learning quite quickly, I'm sure. Enjoyed terribly and dream of the days in West Brittany.
Hi Roger,
What fun that was! And what a beautiful river to explore. I kind of wish you had filmed the irate harbourmaster, though.
Petty officials getting angry are always funny and the angrier they get, the funnier. Though I guess it was no joke to you at the time, I sensed Suzanne's apprehension as you approached your destination, and her relief as she waved from those weed-strewn steps, that the Gendarmes were not waiting.
This Brexit is an ongoing tragedy, let's face it.
Now I see how easy it is to step and unstep the mast, I queried this, having seen you overnighting up that tiny canal on Torcello, in the Venetian lagoon. Now I know. It's a doddle!
Your boat is so simple and her systems very well thought out. I wonder about the main sheet tackle, having to unclip it and re-attach it when you tack or gybe. This must be a bastard with a sail full of wind. Why not rig it to a horse? Must be a good reason for this. I have sailed a Drascombe Dabber, of similar rig.
Just interested!
Nick.
Thanks for taking us on this journey. Loved the sailing, the humor & Suzanne is lovely & looks like a lot of fun to sail with. Greetings of New Zealand. Regards Grant
Trip planning, I can see a companion volume to your first book on the horizon.
Great video , brings back memories of over 40 years ago at Audierne, thank you
une belle vidéo encore Merci Roger et Suzanne,
une belle navigation, assez technique,
car il y avait peu de vent, c'est là qu'on apprend le mieux les subtilités du navire,
en jouant avec les petites brises et les courants.
Un bel apprentissage pour Suzanne dans la bonne humeur et les sourires.
Merci du partage.
🙏👍😎👌
I have a narrowboat (and 4 dogs) but as much as I love my Elsie, I do quite envy the freedom your boat offers. Most narrowboat people are lovely with the rare grumpy one, such is life.
1st time. And you make her row😮 She's obviously a good sport. Nice video, Justin from Australia
Very nice little adventure. Thank you for taking us with you!
Such a lovely girl, always smiling, great video Roger
Showed my girly friend your video. We sold our 45 foot wood schooner. Now were thinking our own very small dinghy with cabin. Our backs and knees hurt. Lol We absolutely love your videos.
Many years ago I questioned a couple at a marina about their two identical and beautiful little Bollinger vessels, suggesting with all my armchair nautical experience, they could have one larger vessel with the same investment. To which the lady of the fleet repelled and simultaneously introduced me to Dinky Sailing ethos with the following…
… Apart from the redundancy safety factor, they in fact delighted in being commander of their own ‘bubble’, a psychological term I believe, which allures to having things as they wish and time to think for oneself…. They enjoyed first hand what happens when two vessels sail for the same destination. They could still raft up for dinner and other social occasions. When even mote space is needed, or opinions differ, anchor in another bay altogether.
Even their 2 tow vehicles were useful as one can be positioned at a distant port to leap frog down a coast prevailing wind or river system. Which is what they were doing along the east coast of Australia…
Roger, you've got the nicest crew of commenters. Heartening to see such wholesomeness on social media. ❤
It's always a shock encountering petty officialdom. Lovely video as always Roger, I hope you both enjoyed the voyage.
I think we all know the type... the smaller their kingdom... and this one is ruling over only a few meters of quay, so he's got to be extra fierce to make up for it.
the lovelyest plan b ive ever saw .. and a very romantic landside to
Two things.
One. I really enjoyed your video, thank-you for putting it up on YT.
Two. If I had been on board I would have been thoroughly miserable, cold and not enjoyed myself at all. So thanks Roger. I put the video on the big tv and enjoyed sailing with you in a comfortable armchair by a warm fire. Best of both worlds.
Watching the video again always worth doing and waiting for a new video.
The village tyrant encounter sounded absolutely horrendous. You are a great teacher. 😊
Delightful! I like your boat very much, she looks graceful and sea kindly.
Splendid video. How that takes me back to the odd bit of sailing tutoring. The odd little comments of "...in your own time.., but now-ish would be good..." Up river sailing certainly has its moments. All that mast lowering, all that rowing or even canoeing sometimes, in smaller dinghies, two or more-up. And the contemplative nature in very light winds, that suddenly brings the stern of a moored large boat into the firing line, when moments before all was peaceful, and you were damned sure nothing was there for at least 30 minutes or more. Ain't going to get those finer moments in a yacht, even if you'd get the space to sail, in the first place. 😆
Buy a classic 1/4 ton Waarschip. Yes, it's Dutch. You WILL have that dinghy feeling. Those yachts are pretty small and the cockpit is not 10 feet above the waterline, like those floating comfort containers.
well done Sir & Madame
Zag er goed uit Suzanne! Wat een verschil tussen ochtend en avond. Je hebt geleerd hoe de boot beweegt. En hoe jij moet bewegen in de boot. Erg leuk om te zien. Thanks Roger for teaching Suzanne. More to come?
More Suzanne please... what a lovely lass indeed! Cheers from America
Nice sail, isn't she lovely your crew!
Wonderful….love the whole scene…. How enjoyable…
Really enjoyed your video Roger. Suzanne picked it up well. Cheers
Your having fun man! God bless you sir.
Awesome ! Great training n teaching film 🎥 on your style dinghy boat. Been there n done that. Thankz for the great job of showing us Mate. Cheers Nick.
Traditional boat, traditional, dare I say, instruction. I suppose implementing plan B allowed less time for the niceties of user friendly coaching, but poor Suzanne, being told told more than once, 'You're probably not going to get this right'......Chateauneuf de Pape Roger! Quel encouragement. Come sailing with me Suzanne, I would not talk to you like that.
Warts and all, great job both in the adventure, sailing, tuition and videography 😎👍
This so takes me back to my first sailing experience bringing back those very special moments.
Suzanne is lovely
Beautiful place for sailing. Somewhat frightening to manage the sheet and tiller. By the way, I also sail a cruising dinghy towed by a Kangoo, in Brazil.
It's nice to see you enjoying yourselves and your smiley faces in these virus stricken times.
Awesome vid..hi from NZ/Aotearoa.
What a lovely day and video...thank you!
Educational and amusing!
Excellent sail Roger, and your new crew Susan has the skills to Dingy sail with the obstacles, be they human or natural......
Very entertaining Video Oh dear what am I doing with my life? I'm so jealous of the tranquility ....Top banana!
Hello Roger, another excellent episode thank-you. By way of balance.. and in defence of France as I have found it. In the 90s I bought a yacht in the Uk then motored through France to the Med and lived along the French coast for a number of years. During all that time I never once had an upsetting episode like that and always found the French people I encountered to be very friendly. We were boarded once in the canals by river police and onece returning from Corsica by the Navy but other than that no-one cared where we were from or to we were going. At one point I took a job in the UK and thought, why not take my inflatable back up there. One Sunday we decided to meet a good friend halfway Bristol London and potter on a canal. Immediately I was in the water I said to Fraser, we likely should have some sort of licence to do this although the dinghy was a tender to a British Registered yacht. We went maybe 100m to a lock. Moored up and wandered over to watch a narrowboat lock through. By the time we got back to the dinghy an official was there with a notepad and read the riot act.. Probably both of us broke a local rule but I beleive you will be pulled up for such things many times in the UK for every one in France. Incidentally have l you thought of traversing the canal system in France - perhaps you have already done this. With a little electric OB, battery and solar panel you could have a lot of fun. Well done for living the dream, and being a real example to us all.
Yes, you need a licence for a vessel on British canals. This is entirely separate to British registration.
Most excellent plan B. Roger, I hope you read these after a couple of days. I got your book today and excited. It’s my first book on sailing. Because of you I’m gonna learn to sail...an ocean away. I think dinghy sailing is just “the berries “. Thank you for bringing me back. I used to sail as a boy. My other siblings loved the motor boats; but, sailing is what touched my soul. Your videos convinced me, I need to get on with it. I can’t seem to stop or get away from it. I watch yours and others here in the US, different boats, different trips. Going down to the marina I see that it’s the same as when I was a boy, the smaller the boat, the more it goes out. The larger boats just sit at the dock and look sad. I’m looking for a 16-18 foot dinghy, without much success so far. Hopes still high though. Texas
You should have filmed the altercation with the irate harbour person, that might have been fun to watch. We all might have learned something too. Of course, he was probably just a bigoted fool and you find people like that everywhere. In general, French people are nice enough I’ve found. Plan B is a nice addition to the crew, I hope she learns to enjoy the sailing. Thanks for the vid.
Great video! I face aft when coming about in my little Melonseed skiff ... makes perfect sense to me. Thanks for sharing this delightful adventure. Pity about the unpleasant encounter but sometimes there’s no avoiding (insert adjective here) people. Fortunately, 99% of the folks we encounter in our small boat voyages are very friendly. Keep well, stay safe and Hold Fast!
Very Entertaining Roger and Suzanne!!!!! "Messing About" :)
Oh dear, That was a drifter! Very pleasant! Thanks Rog!
Still, the rowing warmed them up!
Thank you for another nice video Roger
Really nice video, Roger & Suzanne.
Thank you.
Great video as usual. You had Suzanne tacking like a champ, specially in a no wind situation. I believe I am in agreement with the rest of your followers that Suzanne could easily become a regular in your videos and not just a guest star. lol. Your idea of showing your audience through Suzanne's experience is brilliant. But be aware, some of those northern gals have a hard headed mind of their own, I should know, been married to one for 22 years! lol
How wonderful, Rodger and Suzanne. I'm sure more trips will follow .
another epic video, and plan B is even better than plan A
I have to admit your 'plan B' would have been my choice too. Oh shameful of me but all in good humour.
I just love her: "It will be my course but you are the cpt." ! And, Vlan dans les gencives!!
And she got the hang of it pretty quickly. I love the story about the gendarme! haha.
Enjoying your channel every time I have a moment to 'drop by'. Cheers.
Suzanne great update in the crew department
Bravo Roger
Delightful as always
Im not a sailer but I love your videos. Soo relaxing and inspiring to watch. I will get your book as well. Greetings from Luxembourg.
Barnes, you eloquent bastard, you. Bravo, again!
Great plan B!!! France, looks like it is working for you. Atb from Argentina.
Like the life jackets.
nice to see you using a tilt trailer. I use the same to launch my Hartley TS16 No need to submerge the trailer
Really lovely video, Pity about the lack of wind at the end and the contrary man on the docks!
I relate to this angry frenchmen on the pontoon: both crewmembers wore the same blue coat obvious a couple she half his age and gorgeous and they show up in France sailing up there rivers, were did he go wrong!🤣🤣🤣
where, jij rare Ollander. Je eet nog Michiel ook. Ga maar gauw admiraal worden. Ik blijf liever bij die vieze Ouwersloot, want in de zee zwemmen haaien en die bijten je blub blub blub.... Kènt u dat liedje?
@@voornaam3191 gekke meid😉
Not sure what Voor Naam wrote but I like the ‘blub blub blub’ note
A fine sailor !
New sailor.. Excellent!!
Did I get that right that tacking and gybing is basically done the identical way in your boat - you go through the wind with aft or bow and switch the sheet to the other board? It looks comfortable, when you got used to the different movement in comparison to more common fore and aft righs.
Thank you Roger another great video .
Roger, been watching for a year. Recently subscribed. Love the channel.
I need to get me a full time plan B ..all ways nice to see your video's..
Mrs Van Soest taught us French, forty years ago. Funny to see a Suzanne van Soest in Normandy. Would those two Van Soests be family? It would not surprise me.
I agree, with such a delightful plan B, i'd always give plan A the boot.
Think i'll sail to france for a 2hr lunch with plan B! Madameoiselle est tres jolie. Hehe roger great video. I was hoping she would playfully push you in the water and then look back into camera and give a wink and devilish grin.
Marvellous video -
Roger, can a person rent a sailing dingy in Brittany. It would be fantastic to fly over with a friend and take part in one of the large flotillas.
Thanks
Thanks for the video. It will be useful to me next year. I've never sailed with this type of sail before.
What a fun video... Lots to learn with sailing but always fun!