Lilou 2

Comfortable | stable | motor-cruise!

Now shipping this classic open sailboat by F. Vivier Architecte Naval


SPECIFICATIONS

LOA   16' 10"
LWL   15' 2"
Beam   6' 4"
Draft (board up/down)   18"/3.3’
Weight w/ 5hp motor 836 lbs
Sail Area 183 sq ft

Lilou 2 is a revisited version of Lilou, the initial plan dating from 2005. The purpose of this re-design was on the one hand to improve the characteristics of the boat, especially with hull lines ensuring better stability, a water ballast to improve seaworthiness and have a light boat on the trailer, a self-draining cockpit at the mooring. In addition, the plan was realized in 3D with a modern software allowing to illustrate the building instructions with many perspective views and make the construction more straightforward.

Two main sail rigs are possible: the gaff sloop, giving good performance, in particular to windward, and a lug yawl. This last rig is mostly suitable for fishing or family sailing. There is no boom and the mizzen sail reduces rolling when moored or motoring. The transom rake has been reduced to allow the installation of the mizzen mast.

Lilou 2 retains the qualities of the original plan:

  • Be a daysailer inspired by the tradition, seaworthy, stable, suited to family sailing and fishing under sail or motor.

  • Have good performance, thanks to a steel centreboard which gives stability and windward ability.

  • Using modern wood-epoxy building technique, using the stitch and tape method for easy construction by a home builder.

  • Benefit from a fully epoxy sheathed hull, resistant to shocks and abrasion, very durable (no risk of osmosis) and easy to maintain.

  • Able to receive an outboard into a well, at easy helmsman reach (2.5 to 5 hp).

  • Trailerable and easy to launch and recover.

  • Short enough (5.1 m, less than 17′) to be built and stored into a common size garage.

Compared to Ebihen 16, having a similar use, Lilou 2 is much more simple to build and more economical.

What draws me to Lilou is the fixed, inboard motor that is always at the ready and makes minimal underwater drag located behind the keel.
 
 

The 3D model of Jewell showing the interior structure and layout.


Complete kit contents for the Lilou 2

plywood kit | timber kit | hardware kit | Epoxy kit

Lilou 2 is one of the few truly stitch-and-glue designs we carry. The hull is stitched with 9mm Okoume and the holes come predrilled for the wires that hold the panels together. Also stitched in place are the 12mm parts such as the bulkheads (holes predrilled).

Chipboard is used as a cradle and support for the stitch-and-glue hull

 

The hull timber kit is is mostly select hardwoods and Spruce for the spar kit


Options, upgrades, and accessories for Lilou 2

  • Vacuum bag, laminated plywood parts: centerboard, rudder, and transom layers.

  • None at this time

  • We would be happy to customize the hardware kit within our offerings to better suit your interests.

  • We have a local fabricator to make you a Stainless Steel centerboard

    Sails by Gambell & Hunter can be white, cream or tanbark

Construction Photos

Photos coming soon showing the construction of the Lilou 2