VAGABUNDO II
Above, clockwise from top left: The signature curved companionway; Caroline Fabre, Robbie’s mum, on the helm; under restoration in the tent at Southampton; restoration team slept aboard
Jersey, loves a bit of weather, he’s my bosun. Atlantic Al, our trimmer, a graduate from Falmouth University who’s started a sail loft in Fowey, Sail Shape Ltd. Then there’s Fork Lift Al (named for his super strength) who is our Italian mastman studying at Lowestoft; William Holt, our resident dinghy sailor from Plymouth University; Peter Trevis who cycles from St Rafael – he had no money this year after having such a good time at Plymouth University on the Marine Tech course. Plus his girlfriend Rachel, the boat’s resident mum.” The launch party in Port Grimaud, with family, friends and fireworks, was a celebration of Robbie’s new ownership of this gleaming restored yacht, Vagabundo II.
SIGNATURE FEATURE The most unique feature on board Vagabundo is her companionway, placed on the starboard side amidships. It’s not a contrived recent feature though; it is the German Frers design signature. Vagabundo II was born out of a bout of depression Frers experienced after designing his second yacht for himself, Fjord II, which he reluctantly sold in 1943. He consequently shut himself away to draw Vagabundo II. Down below, there are six berths which are complemented by good standing headroom and a practical galley which lies opposite the companionway
16 CLASSIC BOAT FEBRUARY 2012
and contains vertical and quite industrial looking fridges with stainless-steel lids. These lids double up as clean worktops and emphasise that while the varnishing gives you a warm feeling about the boat, there is also a slightly utilitarian or at least, super practical feel to the décor. Robbie supposes he needs eight crew onboard ideally. He talked about the things he wants to improve. The winches – he’d like to minimise them at some stage. There’s a new switchboard, but the electric system itself is useless and he will be rewiring the boat in time. He also mentioned that the long wooden-boat-list wasn’t completely fixed. His autopilot might need a tweak, it seems; sailing singlehanded through anchored Wally yachts in a mistral was not ideal. The centreboard motor is still jammed and seized in the down position. This was Robbie’s excuse for not winning Les Voiles de Saint- Tropez – not being able to get the keel up when running was a disadvantage. The crew’s performance as an under-25-year-old crew, in what is quite a mature scene, has not just been fun, it seems to have put their training and their understanding of yacht construction, design and building into context. Awards like second prize in the Epoque Marconi Division of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez can only spur on Robbie Fabre’s hunger to bring his young crew back together for more racing (and more fixing?) next year.
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