July 1 2023
Skipper of the Mini 982 April Marine, Matéo Le Calvic has teamed up with Mercury Marine, who are supplying him with a transportable 4-stroke, 4hp engine for the MiniTransat in September.
The skipper, a former manager and technician in the Eole Performance design office, is now devoting himself fully to his own company, LC Sailing, which he set up to host the mini project, as well as taking part in other ocean racing projects. Immersed in sailing from a very young age, he sailed 4000 miles single-handed in 2022 alone.
He has already taken part in three races this year, the Pornichet Select, the SoloMed and the Massilia Cup, and he still plans to enter the Olona Cup and the Puru Transgascogne in July, before taking part in the MiniTransat in September.
For the latter race, the skipper needs an efficient, lightweight engine that is powerful enough to be transported. So, by teaming up with Mercury Marine, Matéo has been able to test the engine for two months and seems very satisfied with the results.
"Portability and weight are important criteria. This lightweight (25 kg) 4hp has an integrated fuel tank, so there's no need to connect the engine to a tank. As well as being portable, it's also functional. The length of the shaft on the Mercury F4 MLH means that the engine is well positioned. The propeller sits perfectly in the water. What's more, its tiller doesn't bang into the tie-rods. No discomfort at the helm, or the propeller dragging in the water when under sail. It's really good. The MLH model is really suited to my mini," he explains.
With this partnership, Matéo Le Calvic becomes a Mercury ambassador, enabling the company to demonstrate its desire to become more involved in the sailing sector. He will also be one of the first to test the brand new Avator series of electric outboard motors, starting this summer.
"We were quickly won over by Matéo's profile, his background and his project. We're certain that he will enable us to promote our transportable combustion and electric engines to the community that follows him throughout the year and in the Mini Transat. We're delighted to be playing our part in this great adventure," says Maurice Duranthon, Director of Mercury Marine France.
Like all the engines in the FourStroke range, the Mercury 4hp transportable engine is available now from all Mercury dealers, and is currently on special offer with a discount of up to 30%. April Marine also allows you to finance it in a different way... With a zero-interest loan!
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