Simoun Junior Information, Review, Specs

Launched in 1968, the Simoun Junior quickly found its place in the market as a smaller, more nimble alternative within Gouteron's popular Simoun line. It represents the builder's commitment to creating durable and fun vessels that opened up the joys of sailing to a broader audience.

The Simoun Junior entered production in 1968, during a period when Gouteron (Chantier) was establishing itself as an innovative force in the French small boat industry. While specific details of J. Pradel's design philosophy for the Simoun Junior are not widely documented, it aligns with Gouteron's overarching ethos of practicality, fun, and accessibility in sailing craft. Gouteron, founded in 1959, was known for pioneering techniques such as "bent plywood" hulls and being an early adopter of fiberglass construction, which allowed for efficient and robust boat building. The Simoun Junior's hull and deck, constructed from a fiberglass and wood composite, reflect this evolution in manufacturing, combining modern materials with traditional elements. As a "Junior" model, it was offered as a smaller variant, with an overall length of 3.80 meters, compared to the larger 4.60-meter Simoun, indicating a deliberate design choice to provide a more compact and potentially more easily handled option for sailors.

Sailing Performance and Handling

With a length overall of just under 13 feet and a waterline length of approximately 10.8 feet, the Simoun Junior is designed for nimble performance characteristic of a small sailing dinghy. Her reported hull speed of 4.41 knots suggests she is capable of lively cruising in appropriate conditions. The fractional sloop rig, a common and efficient setup for dinghies, allows for easy adjustment of sail area and fine-tuning for various wind strengths.

A key feature of the Simoun Junior's design is its centerboard keel. This configuration provides significant flexibility, allowing the boat to navigate shallow waters with a minimum draft of just 0.36 feet when the board is raised, and offering improved upwind performance and stability with the board lowered to its maximum draft of 2.85 feet. This makes the Simoun Junior versatile for exploring diverse waterways, from sheltered lakes to coastal areas. Gouteron's reputation for building moderate-weight sailboats known for reasonable performance and good stability would extend to the Simoun Junior, suggesting a predictable and forgiving handling experience, well-suited for both learning and recreational sailing.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its compact dimensions as a 12.8-foot dinghy, the Gouteron Simoun Junior is designed primarily as an open day sailer with a focus on cockpit space for crew and sailing functionality rather than enclosed accommodations. As such, there is no significant interior cabin or headroom to speak of. The layout would typically consist of an open cockpit area, providing seating for sailors and space for handling the fractional sloop rig. This design maximizes the enjoyment of sailing in fair weather and simplifies maintenance, aligning with its purpose as an accessible and fun recreational vessel.