Traditional Craftsmanship: Woodspars Restores the Rigging of the Three-Masted Barque "Le Français"

The specialized workshop Woodspars completes a major restoration project for one of Saint-Malo's most iconic heritage vessels.

The famous three-masted barque Le Français (formerly known as the Kaskelot), built in 1948 and the star of numerous period films, has recently undergone a significant refit. To ensure the longevity and safety of this 47-meter giant of the seas, the shipowners called upon the technical expertise of Woodspars, specialists in the manufacturing of wooden masts and spars.

This complex restoration project highlights the mastery of woodworking and traditional shipbuilding techniques, adapted to meet modern requirements.

** A Large-Scale Technical Challenge **

Woodspars’ intervention focused on three key components of the rigging, requiring absolute precision and rigorous material selection:

1. The Spanker Boom: An imposing piece measuring 14 meters in length.
2. The Bowsprit: A complete restoration of this 12-meter spar, which is essential to the vessel’s balance.
3. The Fore Topgallant Yard: The manufacturing of a new 9-meter yard.

** The Excellence of Oregon Pine and Glulam **

For these realizations, the Woodspars workshop favored premium Oregon Pine (Douglas Fir), a wood renowned for its exceptional mechanical resistance and durability in marine environments.

The technique employed is hollow-structure glued laminated timber (glulam). This process not only achieves spars with great dimensional stability but, above all, optimizes the weight-to-strength ratio. By hollowing out the core of the pieces, Woodspars significantly reduces weight aloft, thereby improving the ship's stability at sea without sacrificing structural integrity.

** From the Workshop to the Quays of Saint-Malo **

Beyond the carpentry, the project required rigorous logistics to transport these oversized pieces from the workshop to the ship's home port in Saint-Malo.

Thanks to this intervention, Le Français has regained its legendary silhouette and returned to sea with a rig that combines historical aesthetics with technical performance. This project confirms Woodspars' position as a key player in maritime heritage preservation and bespoke spar manufacturing.

** Your Mast Project: Let's Talk! **

Whether you are a private owner, a shipyard, or an architect, if you are looking for a high-end wooden mast that combines performance and aesthetics, WOODSPARS is your partner of choice. Our experience and passion for sailing allow us to bring your nautical dreams to life.

Don't wait any longer to give your sailboat the mast it deserves!
Contact us today for any inquiries or to request a custom quote.
Our experts are ready to turn your vision into reality.

Website: www.woodspars.com
Email: [email protected]