The Lechalas is a working boat built for the the Civil work engineers to inspect the channel's state from Brest to Nantes . She is based in Nantes and was built in 1912.
Restored in 2018 . But I realise that she is still sailing with a diesel engine.
The drawing has been published in a marine specialized magazine (Le Chasse Marée) , so I jumped on it and started the building.
Originally she has a steam engine but as many other boats it has been changed for diesel fuel after WW2. The steam machine was supposed to be restored when I started to build this model +/- 20 years ago. I presume that it has been done but the Lechalas is still hauling some tourists with a new Diesel engine !
The civil work engineers had to check the banks, the bridges , the locks and so on. They also new where to stop for a good restaurant !
You will notice the confortable cabin for them to share good local products as see food , wines of Loire and other reputed local recipes kindly offered. ;-))
Really though job !
https://youtu.be/3e6Gy9zm460