Lionel Satabin - Owner of Piranga (First 210)

We met Lionel, the lucky winner of our “First 210 VOILE MAG” draw at the Nautic boat show in Paris on the first Sunday of October, not far from the Grand Pavois pontoons.It was such a windfall for this former bank executive and sailor.  Lionel took possession of his sailing yacht, last March, at the BENETEAU brand headquarters in Saint Gilles Croix Vie, and then the boat set sail for La Rochelle, or more accurately the Port des Minimes, where it is now based.   Many readers of VOILE MAG magazine followed the story of this small sailing yacht’s restoration. 

LIONEL, HOW ARE THINGS SINCE WE HANDED OVER THE KEYS OF YOUR BOAT?

Everything is fine! I chose a mooring ring here at the Port des Minimes and I must say that my First 210 is probably one of the most beautiful boats in the marina! I renamed the boat Piranga in reference to the attractive scarlet plumage of the American songbird. I took advantage of the wonderful summer weather we had to take the boat out with my friends. We mostly sailed in the Pertuis: Oléron, Boyard, Aix and Ré, of course. 

Could you remind us how you won the First 210? 

I’ll never forget my visit to the NAUTIC boat show in Paris in 2017. As I live in Paris, I never miss out on an annual visit to the boat show at Porte de Versailles.  I go there for the atmosphere and for a chance to dream… I love to meet craftsmen and get talking to keen sailors and dealers, as well as to the well-known personalities of the sailing world. The people you meet and the discussions you have are always very interesting and instructive. I was not surprised to see the First 210 as I walked down an aisle, because I had followed the restoration story and the launch of the #BETHEFIRST draw in VOILE MAG!  So I filled out the form and entered the draw. Not for a second did I ever imagine winning. A few days after the boat show had ended, I received a call. I couldn’t believe it when I was told I had won! And yet I had! 

"The boat show: I love to meet craftsmen and get talking to keen sailors and dealers, as well as to the well-known personalities of the sailing world. The discussions you have are always very interesting and instructive."

What do you like most on board the First 210 ?

I like its simplicity. It’s an easy boat to get underway and there is no real preparation involved. I meet my friends on board and it easy to cast off and enjoy all the trimmings and handling needed to sail her. There is always a relaxed friendly atmosphere on board. We even enjoyed fishing on her this summer

What are your projects in the coming months?

Tomorrow, as a "Voile Mag" reader, I’ll be helping choose the boat of the year 2018. This involves taking part in the boat trials at sea and then choosing a winner together with a jury of sailing experts.
As for my First, it will be handed over to my dealer, because I need to carry out some maintenance on the centreboard which is a little stiff and some improvements will be made to make it easier to sail single-handed. As you can see, I look after my boat well!