Episode #107: Charly Devanneaux on Celebrating French Sailing Culture

This week’s host, John Arndt, is joined by offshore racer and Naos Yachts Founder and CEO Charly Devanneaux to chat all things racing, cruising, and French sailing. Charly has been a sailor his entire life and posted podium finishes in the Newport-Cabo Race, Transpac, Pacific Cup, ARC, and more.

Hear how to race shorthanded and with a big crew, his favorite annual sailing traditions, how French sailing culture compares to the US, his favorite French sailing heroes, and great times sailing with his dad and his sons.

This episode covers everything from singlehanding to yacht design. Here’s a small sample of what you will hear in this episode:

• What kind of boats did Charly sail at first?
• Why did he move to California?
• What’s so great about sailing the Sea of Cortez?
• Is it hard to find French wine in Mexico?
• What race does Charly have next?
• Do Olympic sailors get the same attention in France as offshore sailors?
• How has Charly’s sailing business been?
• Short Tacks: What’s his longest voyage?

Learn more about Charly at NaosYachts.com and on Instagram @Naos.Yachts.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and your other favorite podcast spots – follow and leave a 5-star review if you’re feeling the Good Jibes!

Check out the episode and show notes below for much more detail.

Show Notes

• Charly Devanneaux on Celebrating French Sailing Culture
  • [0:22] Welcome to Good Jibes with Latitude 38
  • [0:28] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [0:32] John Arndt
  • [0:57] Learn more about Charly at NaosYachts.com and on Instagram @Naos.Yachts
  • [1:54] What’s a story that shaped him as a sailor?
  • [3:46] GPS (Global Positioning System)
  • [4:07] How long is the sailing season?
  • [5:01] Was Charly’s dad a shorthanded sailor?
  • [6:07] What kind of boats did he sail at first?
  • [6:44] Why did he move to California?
  • [8:48] Is he still doing shorthanded racing?
  • [10:12] Did he ever go cruising as a kid?
  • [12:12] Baja Ha-Ha
  • [12:19] What’s so great about sailing the Sea of Cortez?
  • [13:32] How much food and water do you need to pack?
  • [14:08] Is it hard to find French wine in Mexico?
  • [14:18] You can find your closest Latitude 38 distributor at Latitude38.com/Distribution. Did you know every month you can get your copy of Latitude 38 delivered directly to your mailbox? Subscribe at Latitude38.com/Subscriptions
  • French Sailing & Naos Yachts
  • [15:14] What race does Charly have next?
  • [16:24] How did he get entrenched in French sailing culture?
  • [19:47] How does French sailing culture compare to California and the US?
  • [23:04] Do Olympic sailors get the same attention in France as offshore sailors?
  • [25:35] Who are Charly’s French sailing heroes?
  • [26:43] Check out the Latitude 38 Classy Classifieds at Latitude38.com/Adverts
  • [28:02] Pandemic
  • [28:09] How has Charly’s sailing business been?
  • [29:13] Are new sailors staying in sailing?
  • [30:34] Are there now more racers or cruisers?
  • [31:46] What are the biggest barriers stopping people from getting into sailing?
  • [32:56] Social Media
  • [34:44] Crew List
  • Short Tacks
  • [35:52] What is Charly’s dream boat?
  • [36:39] Is he more of a cruiser or racer?
  • [37:31] What’s his longest voyage?
  • [38:40] What’s his dream race to do?
  • [39:16] What’s his biggest fear on the water?
  • [42:27] Born to Win by John Bertrand 
  • [43:38] Check out the Latitude 38 Bookstore here for books recommended by Good Jibes guests
  • [45:10] What final thoughts does Charly have?
  • [47:08] Learn more about Charly at NaosYachts.com and on Instagram @Naos.Yachts
  • [47:12] Make sure to follow Good Jibes with Latitude 38 on your favorite podcast spot and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts
  • [47:17] Got a great sailing story to submit? Do so at [email protected]
  • [47:24] Subscribe to Latitude 38 at Latitude38.com
  • [47:29] Email [email protected] to advertise on this podcast or in Latitude 38 sailing magazine
  • [47:43] Check out the September 2023 issue of Latitude 38
  • Theme Song: Pineapple Dream by SOLXIS

Thanks for listening to Charly Devanneaux & John Arndt on Good Jibes with Latitude 38. Subscribe here to receive Latitude 38 to your home each month.