Bátar, What is ? This is the word "boat" in Icelandic. It is true that pronounced in French, it sounds a bit weird, but we quickly forget ! And why talk about it ? Because Weather4D has given its support to this surprising collective that has decided to revive the great tradition of the Vikings and their maritime expeditions. Toulouse citizen as the members of Bátar, Olivier Bouyssou was seduced by their project and the energy they have devoted to it for ten years. And since they already use its application to navigate the connection became obvious..
A decade back
A merry band of engineers from Toulouse fresh out of their studies looked for a project that would allow them to stay in touch. In 2011, at the initiative of one of them, passionate about Vikings history, this chums band decided to start building a drakkar. Just that. They explain on their website :
The epic begins in 2011 When five brave Vikings from the Toulouse countryside, History and DIY enthusiasts, unite around a new project : build a wooden replica of a Viking ship. The founding act of the alliance thus defines the main lines : the boat, solid oak, must be able to embark at least five warriors and will be propelled by four oars and a square sail. »
Five years later, they launch the "Bátar" 1 ", a drakkar 6 meters high, can embark five crew members, inaugurated with great fanfare on 12 August 2016.
In 2017 they move the drakkar to Scandinavia for an eventful first expedition.
On return, strengthened by this adventure and the experience of Bátar 1, They launch the construction of a second drakkar, the "Fyr" 12 meters long for 20 crew members (whose 14 oarsmen !).
Launched in 2019, a new expedition to the lands of the Vikings is imperative : 3 weeks of sailing will take them in 2020 from Denmark to Sweden and Norway, to Tønsberg, Roskilde and Bergen : " … Landscapes of furious madman, big emotions, and the testing of one of the most modern drakkars in the world" Will they report on their website.
In 2021 they leave with the same drakkar to Norway to attend a Viking festival. They take the opportunity to train in navigation aboard a traditional drakkar 24 meters long. They already have an idea in the back of their heads !
The ORKAN project
The idea ? Cross the Atlantic from Toulouse to New York on a new drakkar… 28 meters long for 6 meters wide ! It will weigh 16 tons in load, Will carry 187 m2 of sail, will embark 35 crew members, and will be able to sail at a speed of 18 knots.
Nothing impossible for this collective, today with more than a hundred members (called "sailors"). After a drakkar 6 meters long built in 5 years ago, another 12 meters built in just 1 year, Bátar team plans to build it in 1 year and a half ! It will be "Orkan" which means hurricane in Icelandic, and who will be the fastest drakkar in the world (sic). Sweet crazy, but ultra competent and determined. In ten years they have proved themselves.
For this new project, they needed :
- Plans
They were based on those provided by the Danish Museum in Roskilde., mainly that of a wreck found more than a century ago, the "Gokstad". They explain : "We are inspired by the original concept and adding modern materials and Toulouse engineering". The material used will be mainly composed of pine plywood, birch and chestnut. The keel, centerpiece of the drakkar, will be made of chestnut glulam. For modernity the shell will be protected with fiberglass and epoxy. For the respect of the carbon footprint, the Drakkar will be provided with four electric motors from their partner Epropulsion who had already supplied them with the Fyr engine.
- A shipyard
They found it in Toulouse, thanks to the support of VNF (Waterways of France (VNF)). It is already being developed, it will be on the site of the former dry dock adjoining the Canal du Midi, in the heart of Toulouse. A removable hangar will be installed on an area made available by VNF, Zone Manager. A house is also allocated to them, it is up to them to renovate it to install the design room and office of the shipyard. The work is so far almost complete.
A container 40 feet has been superbly converted into a workshop, most of the tooling was provided by the partner DRAKKAR Tools, you can't make it up !
It remains to build the roof that will house the construction. It will be partly based on the container-workshop and must be long enough to accommodate the keel of 28 meters that will soon be delivered. It must also be easily dismantled and comply with the requirements of the Bâtiments de France because the site is classified.
- The keel of Orkan
As mentioned above, the centerpiece of a drakkar is its keel. It was carried out by a Spanish company in Asturias. The SIERO LAM Group, specialized in the manufacture of large custom wood parts, produced three chestnut glulam elements that will need to be assembled by scarf glued to obtain a one-piece element. It is the company Lesbats in Mont-de-Marsan that was selected to carry out this particularly delicate work.. The finishing of this keel will be carried out by the collective itself.
- Funding
In addition to their own money, the Bátar use crowdfunding, partnerships of all kinds, individual or corporate donations. They are particularly proficient in the communication around their project, and they demonstrate with their incredible energy their ability to complete this adventure.
The expedition
From Toulouse to New York via : Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Newfoundland, the ancestral route of the Vikings. Planned for summer 2025, the expedition will have to bring together 35 sailors who will be selected after a cycle of intensive training on board the Fyr until departure. It is possible to participate in the adventure by joining the collective now, all skills are appreciated, and the efforts required by this challenge will be amply rewarded at the finish.
A maritime adventure a little out of time, but which demonstrates the ability to carry out a major project by bringing together know-how, the collective pugnacity and will of a group sharing the same enthusiasm. It deserves to support them, hat !
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- An address to visit : Les Bátar shipyard – 65 Allée des Demoiselles – 31400 Toulouse
- A website : https://batar.fr
- Youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@lesbatar
- A film : Erfaring – Becoming a Viking
- A TV report onTF1
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Thank you for sharing this story with us, of maritime history but also more personal, of a friendship.