Tradition and Technology: WoodSpars Crafts the New Laminated Wood Mast for La Granvillaise

A specialist in custom wooden spars, the Breton shipyard WoodSpars was chosen to build the new foremast for the famous Granville bisquine, a project that blends respect for authenticity with modern techniques.

In the spring of 2025, the WoodSpars shipyard, based in Locmariaquer in the Morbihan region of Brittany, took on a major challenge: building the new foremast for "La Granvillaise," a replica of an 1897 bisquine and a true emblem of the maritime heritage of the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel.

Faced with the wear and tear of its original mast and the closure of the shipyard that had first built it, the Association des Vieux Gréements Granvillais (Granville's Old Rigs Association) turned to WoodSpars' expertise. The specifications were demanding: to produce a very long spar that was true to the traditional aesthetic while meeting the requirements for a heritage-listed vessel.

Thanks to its unique expertise in designing and manufacturing large-scale laminated wood masts and booms, WoodSpars was able to create this custom masterpiece. The project highlights the company's ability to combine modern lamination techniques, which guarantee strength and durability, with respect for traditional rigging.

This successful collaboration, praised by the boat's owner association, reaffirms WoodSpars' position as a key partner for the restoration and construction of traditional sailboats in France and internationally. The Breton company proves once again that the future of maritime heritage also relies on technical innovation and artisanal craftsmanship.

Consult the full article on our website woodspars.com: https://www.woodspars.com/en/woodspars-boards-la-granvillaise-a-new-foremast-for-an-exceptional-old-rig/
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La Granvillaise – Wood Mast WoodSpars Brittany

The Granvillaise, a large bisquine classified as a Historical Monument, slits the waves all sails outside - equipped with its new glued laminated wood misaine mast signed WoodSpars.

Wood mast installation on board - Old WoodSpars rigging

The culmination of the WoodSpars work: a team installs the new glued laminated wood mast on board, maneuvering together to slide it into its mast foot, at the water's edge.

Bisquine regattas Granville–Cancale 1895–1914

The golden age of the bisquine regattas between Granville and Cancale (1895–1914): two period postcards illustrate the maritime rivalry that shaped the history of La Granvillaise and the traditional Norman-Preton rigging.