Image: ©Robert Scharr
When a skipper chooses his boat, it mirrors his personality and sailing style. Robert Scharr and his Yako undoubtedly stand out for their originality and minimalism. Robert did not purchase his boat, but personally built the vessel of his dreams which will see him attempt his grand project: the Global Solo Challenge, a solo and non-stop voyage around the world.
Yako, the name he chose for his vessel, echoes his maternal roots in Africa, in the Ivory Coast. “I spent my childhood with my maternal grandmothers who raised me. When I was hurt, they used to tell me ‘Yako’ which means ‘I’m sorry’, ‘Excuse me’, ‘It’s alright’. I decided to name my boat after this term. I dedicated a lot of energy into building it and now it’s a part of me. For a sailor, the boat becomes a home, a shelter that protects us. When I face challenging conditions, I will say ‘Yako’, ‘I’m sorry’. I attribute a great sentimental value to it, although the human aspect always remains central to my life vision and heart.”
In the 80s and 90s, Robert spent a lot of time sailing on heavy aluminum boats, following the trend of the time. “At 30, I embarked on a journey to Africa, specifically the Ivory Coast, the home country of my maternal family. I stayed there for a few years and when it was time to return to France, I chose to make a solo crossing that kept me busy for two months. In 1989, I founded my bakery business and worked hard. During holidays, I rented a boat every year to sail with my children. For our cruises, I preferred less comfortable but sportier and faster vessels compared to classic cruise boats, for the fun of it.
In the early 2000s, in the magazine “Loisirs nautiques,” I found various projects designed by the leading naval architects of the time, of their ‘ideal boat’. I was captivated by the project of Patrick Balta, an atypical architect, and his equally original boat, the ‘Enfant perdu’, very narrow, light, and low in the water.”
Architect Patrick Balta is an enthusiast of the sea and of wood. Having lived an adventure aboard “L’Aviateur”, a 20-meter sail-driven tuna boat without an engine, with his parents in the 1950s, he developed a profound connection to the sea. Subsequently, he began designing and building boats, specializing in the use of wood, and studying different ways to utilize it rationally, paying significant attention to both aesthetics and mechanical qualities. His experience, combined with mathematical and computing skills, allowed him to accomplish ambitious projects, such as the study of a 50-foot vessel for Bob Escoffier, which participated in the Transat Jacques Vabre in 2001 and 2005, and the Route du Rhum in 2002, with its original gaff-rigged schooner configuration.
His passion and skill continue to leave their mark on the sailing industry. Balta’s project name, “Enfant perdu,” a lost lighthouse off the coast of Cayenne (French Guiana) on a tiny island where convicts sentenced to forced labor were confined, they were obligated to act as lighthouse keepers for months. This evocation of the place’s past represents an upstream challenge, embodies audacity and courage, and invites one to reflect on life’s challenges and to find the inner strength to overcome them.
“In 2005, I was busy working in my bakery and sometimes, in an emergency, I could stay awake for even 24 hours. However, I was bored on Sundays and on one such occasion a friend spoke to me about his desire to build a boat which resonated with my own desire. I showed him Balta’s project and he liked it too. I bought it directly from the architect, and we decided to build our two boats together in a workshop, owned by my friend, near Paris. Thus, I also got to experience building with wood. As a young man, I had already dabbled in building boats with fiberglass and metal. We worked together to construct the hull and deck, of which 90% is wood and the remaining 10% is fiberglass. For the wood, I chose to use local pine.”
In 2013, after many long years in the shipyard, Robert finally launched his boat, having obtained the sailing license, in Dieppe, Normandy, and won this initial challenge. He relocated the boat to southern Brittany where he lives and sailed leisurely between the Azores and the Canary Islands for eight years. In 2021, he became aware of the Global Solo Challenge, awakening an old dream.
“When I was young, I had a great passion for around-the-world races. I had the opportunity to work with experienced sailors like Philippe Jeantot, the creator of the Vendée Globe, and Marc Guillemot.
With uncertainty about whether my boat was suitable for this race, I consulted the architect who confirmed that the boat is well built and capable of meeting the challenge of circumnavigating the globe. Moreover, I had the chance to talk with Jean Luc Van Den Heede, a sailor who has already circumnavigated the world on similar ULDBs (Ultra-Light Displacement Boat) and shared his confidence in the success of my venture.
I sought permission from my partner Nathalie and informed my five children, three boys and two girls, bearing the names Oceane and Alizes in homage to the sea, who encouraged me to take care and be cautious, and then I registered.”
Robert, in line with the GSC philosophy, embraced the idea of using the boat he already owned, demonstrating that it’s possible to accomplish feats that provide great satisfaction without necessarily having many resources. His primary goal is to complete the Global Solo Challenge, thus fulfilling a dream he has cherished since childhood. His entirely self-built boat is a tangible symbol of how dedication and passion can surpass material limitations.
During the preparations for participating in the Global Solo Challenge race, Robert made a series of modifications to make his boat comply with the GSC requirements.
“As for the keel, originally equipped with a hydraulic winch allowing it to be lifted vertically, I’ve taken measures to lock it. This ensures that it cannot move in the event of the boat capsizing. Furthermore, I’ve equipped the boat with a crash box both at the bow and stern, in case of a leak. To ensure the watertightness of various areas of the boat, I installed doors between the bulkheads, replacing the canvas previously present. Marco Nannini, the event organiser, has been a great help with these modifications.”
“In terms of safety, I requested a full review and expertise of the keel and rudders that have already accumulated 20,000 miles of sailing. Though effective, Balta and I decided to rebuild them in carbon to ensure maximum reliability. The architect is designing these components, and the construction will conclude this summer.”
The French skipper has also dedicated time and resources to enhance the performance of his boat. Checks were made on the aluminum mast and partial replacements of the shrouds were carried out, ensuring they were in perfect condition. All the sheet pulleys, all the sails and the forward sail furlers were replaced. Furthermore, he optimized the weight of the boat, emptying the chain and anchor locker to reduce the load to 4.5 tons when empty. During the race, he estimates that Yako will reach a weight of about 5-5.5 tons.
Moreover, Scharr had to modernize all the onboard electronics, installing new devices in line with the requirements of the Global Solo Challenge. This involved laying numerous cables and making standardised connections throughout the boat with the invaluable help of his friend Philippe. “I’ve always sailed with a sextant and nautical charts, now I’ll have to get used to all these cables running around the boat.”
For power management, new lithium batteries, a hydro-generator, and two solar panels were installed to maximize the use of natural resources. Additionally, he maintains a reserve of 100 liters of diesel fuel, thus ensuring adequate autonomy. “Before consuming energy, one must know how to preserve it.”
Finally, a system of two Raymarine autopilots was installed, essential for solo navigation. Each intervention was carefully planned and carried out in collaboration with industry experts to ensure safety and good performance, in line with the specifications demanded by the race.
With his past in working in a bakery, Robert loves good cuisine, which becomes an important element for his comfort on board. A vegetarian for many years, he shared that for the first month of navigation, he will prioritize fresh foods like cabbage, carrots, and potatoes, then also use freeze-dried dishes and a good amount of dried fruit. “The onboard kitchen is equipped with a gas stove and a small oven, which allows me to prepare bread, desserts, and even pizza when I want to indulge in a moment of pleasure and use the cooking heat when it’s cold. Fortunately, my wooden boat doesn’t retain moisture. I will have a few days of heating available but as Van Den Heede says, if the boat is too comfortable inside, one never goes out.”
When questioned about the merits and shortcomings of Yako, Robert says, “It is a vessel that cuts through the water swiftly, even under light winds. It sails smoothly atop moderate waves, and handles strong gales of 25-30 knots with ease, providing a pleasant sailing experience. However, one downside is the unpredictability of the Southern Seas; I am uncertain how my boat will fare amidst those tumultuous stern seas. Moreover, Yako sports a minimalist design, implying limited cabin space and necessitating careful consideration of weight distribution and sail selection.”
During his seafaring journey aboard Yako, he shares a memorable encounter with whales in the Azores. “Dolphins frequently grace us with their presence, but whales are an extraordinary and majestic spectacle. They swim gracefully near the vessel, casting a gaze with their enormous eyes. It always makes me wonder about the mystical connection we share. On one occasion, I ventured to lean out from the bow pulpit and tried to touch them with my foot. It was an immensely profound moment.”
Another pleasurable experience was when he sailed with his cat and unexpectedly bumped into individuals in the middle of the sea whom he had met at the harbour a fortnight earlier. “It’s quite uncommon to find ourselves on the same trajectory, making it a delightful coincidence.”
However, Robert doesn’t tend to dwell on the past. “In life, I draw a line under completed chapters and redirect my attention to the present. I am a man who lives in the here and now, while keeping one eye on the horizon.” Hence, he looks forward to closing the preparation and boatw
ork chapter to embark on his grand ambition of circumnavigating the globe aboard his Yako. “I can’t wait to craft many special moments at the GSC.”