CRAFTSMANSHIP LATITUDE 46
The Latitude Tofinou story
The Tofinou story – the word means ‘people of the sea’ in an African dialect – began in 1989, when boatbuilder Philippe Joubert saw a small wooden boat on the quay at Saint Martin on the north coast of France’s Île de Ré. Immediately he was taken with the little boat, which turned out to have been built in 1929 by a local builder, Edouard Mento, as a one-off daysailer to take advantage of the local shallow waters. Philippe, whose two-year- old yard then specialised in repair, immediately saw the potential for a production craft. It became one of the early GRP recreations of classic lines – a market that has since burgeoned. Slight amendments, including the installation of an engine, broadened its appeal, and since that time 230 of the swing-keel, 7-metre hulls have been built. In 2004, Latitude introduced a 9.5-metre Tofinou, this time a new design, by renowned French multihull designer and Philippe’s brother, Michel Joubert, and something of a departure with its modern, racing lines and ultra-clean deck layout. Its sparkling performance found a willing market and 60 have been built so far.
Following the takeover of Latitude by Christian Iscovici,
the new boss introduced an 8-metre version, which celebrated its 50th hull at a recent last Paris Boat Show. The latest and largest (so far) Tofinou, the 12-metre,
aimed at weekend sailors, was launched in 2009. Also the brainchild of Christian, with the same design team, again it is distinctively modern. A Philippe Starck concept fit-out was shown at last year’s Paris Boat Show – “With his attention to detail it was a way to highlight the meticulous quality of our work,” explains Christian. The boat sold, though he adds that the main demand is for more classic versions. The scaled-up 16-metre will offer proper cruising. Tofinou sailing today is going from strength to strength, and with 50 or more based in the La Rochelle area alone, regattas are well attended. There are some 25 7-metres in the UK, as well as around 15 of the other models, says their agent Charles Watson. Buyers, he adds, are not usually race-focused people. The 7s with their deep cockpits, lifting keels and inboard diesels, have the reputation of a good daysailer with racing ability that will go anywhere, and get you home.
Above: Tofinou 7-metres at a regatta in France – the swing keel
enables them to settle on the beach
fitted out with high-quality carpentry, and given interior styles ranging from the spare, modern look of the 12m Tofinou to the traditional, rich, mahogany lustre of the Andreyale range. However, the 15m Andreyale, at present the company’s largest boat, is constructed in strip-planking or red cedar and epoxy sandwich depending on owners’ preferences.
The demands of running a business of this size – Latitude employs 20 personnel, building typically 20-30 boats a year – means that daily life is certainly more hands-on than it was at Beneteau, but Christian has not been neglecting the need for development.
88 CLASSIC BOAT APRIL 2012
Currently not even the biggest Tofinou, the 12, offers accommodation suitable for more than a weekend aboard, but the new 16m (52ft 6in) model, of which the first two are in build, will alter all that. Essentially, it’s a scaled-up 12, with improved accommodation. As Christian puts it, “It’s very similar to the 12, but more spacious, to allow two weeks cruising for two couples.”
Latitude 46, 17410 Île de Ré, France, Tel: +33 (0)546 094179
www.classic-boats.com Charles Watson Marine, 3 The Square, Hamble SO31 4LS Tel: +44 (0)23 8045 6505,
www.charles-watson.com
NIC COMPTON
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