Picoteux Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The production of the Jouët Picoteux began in 1963, originating from the Jouët shipyard in Sartrouville, France. Jouët, a builder known for its transition from traditional wooden boats to the revolutionary fiberglass construction, applied its expertise to the Picoteux, making it a successful fiberglass model. The company, founded on the vision of Jean-Pierre Jouët, aimed to democratize sailing by creating well-designed and robust boats. While specific design philosophies for the Picoteux itself are not widely detailed, it aligned with Jouët's broader ethos of producing capable sailing yachts suitable for diverse conditions and appealing to a wide audience. The Picoteux's straightforward construction, featuring a fiberglass hull, a long keel, and a transom-hung rudder, reflects this commitment to simplicity, durability, and seaworthiness.

Sailing Performance and Handling

Measuring 16 feet 5 inches (5.02 meters) in overall length with a waterline length of 14 feet 1 inch (4.30 meters), the Picoteux is a light displacement boat, weighing in at approximately 1,069 pounds (485 kg) with 441 pounds (200 kg) of ballast. Its shallow maximum draft of 2.2 feet (0.67 meters) allows for access to shallower anchorages and coastal areas. Data Equipped with a fractional sloop rig and a reported sail area of 140 square feet, the Picoteux is designed for responsive and enjoyable handling. Owners and those familiar with the model often describe it as a "super" boat, capable of providing a delightful sailing experience and enabling many to engage with the marine environment. Its long keel contributes to directional stability, while the transom-hung rudder ensures agile maneuverability, making it suitable for both novice and experienced day sailors.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its compact size, the Jouët Picoteux is best characterized as a day sailor or a small open boat, rather than a cruiser with extensive interior accommodations. It features a design as a "small sailing and rowing dinghy" ("petit canot à voiles et rames") with a flat, reinforced bottom, wide strakes, and symmetrical ends. There is no provision for significant headroom, indicating an open or largely open cockpit arrangement. The primary focus of its layout would be a functional cockpit area suitable for sailing and potentially rowing, with minimal, if any, enclosed cabin space. This design emphasizes ease of use, simplicity, and direct engagement with the marine environment for short excursions.