Publisher: Editions PC, Paris; €45
Publication Date: 2006
This very well illustrated book, written in both French and English, covers a century of the Fédération des Industries Nautiques, the equivalent of our British Marine Federation. Actually, it goes back to well before the Federation’s foundation by delving into the origins of yachting and yacht building in France, both power and sail. In both forms of yachting the French have a remarkable record. Though initially lagging Britain in the building and racing of sailing yachts, they soon caught up so that by the 1960s they dominated the long-distant transatlantic double-handed races, and in the late lamented Eric Tabarly had a force to be reckoned with in his series of yachts called Pen Duick. With power they were the innovators, inventing the sport of powerboat racing and being at the forefront of the development of the outboard engine. Today, who doesn’t know the name of Bénéteau and Jeanneau, to name the two famous marques of French-built and French-designed yacht, and the astonishing accomplishments of their long-distance racing sailors. Just to show you how important the sport is to the French economy the country’s yachting industry employs three times more people than the huge airbus industry. Meticulously annotated and easy to read, this is a must for anyone remotely interested in the history of yachting and wants relief from the usual Anglocentric view of it. But why, oh why, spoil such an excellent production by failing to include an index.. Order by email –
– or got to the publisher’s website www.editionspc.com - ID