modern sailing junk , classic aesthetics, plans and construction guide available for the amateur builder

Jonque de Plaisance, junk rig

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All models 10m or more
have been granted the
Category A (CE) classification
in France (circumnavigation)

 

stepping back in time

We go back to the late seventies/early eighties: after the cutters, sloops, schooners, which I did like otherwise I wouldn't have designed them, but which did not satisfy to my research in naval architecture. Additionally, the necessity to reduce building costs made me realise that the deck hardware and fittings were a financial bottomless pit.

My visits in the East led me to reconsider the Chinese junks which are the most beautiful (in comparison with Japanese or Thai junks for example). We also had the priviledge of sailing on board a 37M junk from Hong Kong to Formosa. A trade junk with a load of cotton bales and concrete. Not to mention the bad weather encountered half way through the trip, we were won over, five knots on average, amazing stability and performance.

a modern interpretation

If we wish to respect an ancient boat form which we love for its beauty and its marine qualities, we could of course, build one identical. The problem in this case is huge, both from the points of view of the enormous work involved and the budget required. By definition, an ancient boat is has a large displacement and is therefore heavy, and it is known that the cost of a boat is directly proportional to its weight. Only large organisations with big budgets and subsidies can undertake such projects. It may be a case of salvaging a country's heritage or reconstructing it, for example 'La Recouvrance' or 'L'Hermione', or may be even an old trawler. When this is accomplished, such a boat needs many strong hands to sail and maintain it, as well as a big budget. It is therefore necessary to reinvent the junk to make it accessible to those who wish to build one.

The wonderful thing is the junk is not likely to become outmoded... These marvellous boats needed to be 'westernised' without betraying them... And so, I designed a boat which preserved the proven atttributes of the traditional junk, whilst adapting it to modern building techniques. The first Jonque de Plaisance 12M was born, to be built in polyester. It didn't take much to convince me to develop a second version for timber construction. For me, timber is a fantastic material with unique properties. There is always a richness, somewhat more than psychological, to be found in natural materials. No matter how clever our inventors are, plastic and various fibers will never replace leather, silk, wool or timber. The intellect refuses to accept them as such. There is something sensual in the contact with living materials. And so, the second Jonque de Plaisance 12M was born, to be built in glued laminated timber. Since then, sometimes at the request of clients, the family has grown and now includes the 9M, 10M, 12.50M, 14M, 16.50M and 20M.

The Jonques de Plaisance retain the principal characteristics of the traditional junk: low displacement, centerboard, stability of the main forms, rear 'castle' which elegantly replaces the cockpit and gives substantial space below deck for comfortable living quarters. (there is no such thing as feeling cramped on board a Jonque de Plaisance). On the rear deck, six or seven people can stretch out on benches protected from the wind. The flexible masts are souple and unshored and walking on the deck is unhindered. Every aspect of the junk is designed to maximise the enjoyment and comfort of passengers. It is their home at sea.

Because the glued laminated timber construction method results in lighter (and more robust) boats, my jonques have a displacement similar to those proposed by large shipyards, but which are well within the capabilities of a motivated amateur-builder. Dimitri.

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© Jonques de plaisance® | Updated: 24.07.07 | design: webalacarte downunder