boat hire in La Rochelle · Gerard De Vries Lentsch — Goélette à Voile D'etais (1934)

A Schooner with a Unique Destiny Built in 1934 at the Gerard de Vries-Lentsch shipyard in Amsterdam, from designs by naval architect Victor Brix, the Saint Christophe is an elegant steel racing-cruising schooner. Commissioned by Edouard Gérardin, a French diplomat then posted in Java, she began her life at sea with a maiden voyage under sail from Amsterdam to Casablanca, followed by a family cruise in the Mediterranean. In 1936, as he prepared to take up a new post in Canada, Gérardin planned a voyage to Jerusalem. But a storm, a rigging failure, and an exhausting night at the helm forced him to turn back. He passed away shortly afterward at the age of 46, and the schooner was sold. Under new names and owners, she continued her journey, becoming famous as Lumberjack when acquired by Lord Beaverbrook. Converted into a luxury yacht, she hosted notable guests including the painter Bernard Buffet. Rediscovered in Greece in 2009 thanks to a letter written by Gérardin, the Saint Christophe was bought back by his grandchildren. A full restoration was carried out in Turkey between 2009 and 2013, preserving her original spirit while upgrading her to modern safety and comfort standards. With her balanced lines, seaworthy behavior, and ability to sail with a small crew, she is a truly unique vessel—equally at home on long offshore passages and coastal cruises. Sail an Exceptional Yacht Based in La Rochelle, the schooner is now managed by the association Les Amis de la Goélette Saint Christophe (AGSC). She is available for charter outside of racing periods, with a certified skipper (mandatory fee: €200/day). Comfortable and fast, she can reach the Atlantic islands or southern Brittany in a day, and the Galician rías of Cape Finisterre in two.