Divinité 8.50 T

First of all, let’s take a look at “Divinité”, a curious name for a sailboat: for Eric, a passionate sailor of wooden yachts, it’s a question of “Saluting the power of the spirit of the sea, and reflecting the soul of the boats on the water, as opposed to their material considerations”. So you have been warned, and you’ll also note that while the design proposed is relatively wise and discreet, with straight bows and a moderately flared central hull, this little multihull should still pack a punch, with a very favorable sail-to-weight ratio of 35.11 m²/t, especially as you’re able to ballast (200 l/52 US gal) the windward float. The water can be transferred from one side to the other thanks to an “intelligent” plumbing system.

The structure is simple: the aluminum linking arms can be dismantled for transport in a 40-foot shipping container but are not foldable or telescopic. This is a choice that Erick Lerouge advocated back in the day for the Libertist 853 - which has since been offered in a folding version. Inside, the volume will be somewhat limited in the central hull, but the architect has nevertheless designed a panoramic coachroof that guarantees a respectable headroom of 1.87 m/6’2” (without floor).

There is plenty of storage space in the floats and under the cockpit.

A first model is currently in build in Poland; the Divinité 8.50 T can be built by a professional shipyard or by amateur construction.

Architect: Eric Henseval
Material: plywood/epoxy
Hull length: 27’11” (8.5 m)
Waterline length: 27’11” (8.5 m)
Beam: 18’4” (5.6 m)
Draft: 16”/4’11” (0.4/1.5 m)
Air draft: 39’4” (12 m)
Light displacement: 2,975 lbs (1.35 t)
Mainsail: 316.5 sq ft (29.4 m²)
Genoa: 194 sq ft (18 m²)
Asymmetric spinnaker: 538 sq ft (50 m²)
Engine: 8 to 10 HP outboard
Contact: eric.henseval@gmail.com