Technical
Commissioning Bali - The last link in the chain before the great adventure
We met up with Yann Ménager, Commissionning Manager and Skipper at the CATANA shipyard in Canet-en-Roussillon in the South of France. He’s been in this job for the past 3 years, and as a graduate of the Marseille Merchant Navy School has travelled all over the world as a skipper on monohulls of over 90 feet.
“For me, commissioning a boat requires a global approach. I am the last link in the chain before the great adventure. I am the guarantor of the conformity of the catamaran ordered by the client. I have to check, test and validate every aspect of the boat.”
Once the BALI is in the water, final adjustments are made, the riggers set up the mast and the sails; plumbing and electrical systems are also tested.
“I then carry out the first sea trial. Over a two-to-three-hour period, I check the engines, making sure there are no leaks and or abnormal vibrations. I do a lot of work on calibrating the electronics (swinging the autopilot compass, settings on the GPS, the windvane, the radar, etc.)"
"Then I test the sails – that’s my favourite part! I hoist the main, the solent and very often the code 0. I check the rigging and test the reefing. I see if the boat behaves well, and I sail to the nearby Criques de Porteils.
I should also point out that I am never alone on board, I go out with a team of 2 or 3 people, comprising a rigger, a mechanical and electronic engineer, and a skipper.
Once back in port, the boat is cleaned before the clients arrive.
I am always very eager to meet the owners, who are often overwhelmed by the emotion of seeing their dream come true... and they are often impatient to put to sea and try their catamaran! However, I’ve got to curb their enthusiasm and give them a little theory before the big adventure can begin! I always start by going through the owner's manual with them, and this helps with the handover and the different areas of the boat. I show them everything ... from the fuses ... to the safety equipment and the engines.
After a break, we go out for a sea trial. Depending on the weather, I take the opportunity to show them our beautiful region and, in the summer, when we’re demonstrating how to anchor, the new owners will often take the opportunity to dive into the water.
On our return, we always do some manoeuvring in port. I always encourage the owners to sleep on board their boat as this allows them to ask me some questions the next day, if they need any further explanations."
