Gigs

Gigs are elegant, exhilarating vessels, simple in structure but very graceful at the same time. They can be rowed at 6 knots in calm water, and sailing have been known to top 10 knots in a good wind. In operation they require 1st rate teamwork.

Gigs were widely used up until the early 20th century, mostly on naval ships in Russia, Europe and USA, by captains and commanders for transportation. Over the years they have gradually increased in size and were built with more durable materials. The gigs that we build are the replicas of the French vessel of the 18th century: 12 meters long, 10 oars, three masts and a 13-member crew. A beautiful vessel, it’s extremely interesting to manoeuvre and it really requires a high level of teamwork.

Nowadays gigs are built in various countries, but always to the same specifications as required by the international youth program “Atlantic challenge”. Every two years teams from 14 countries get together to take part in specialised sea festivals and regattas to demonstrate their maritime abilities as well as precise teamwork and coordinated effort. But also to meet, share experience and make friends with “colleagues” from all over the world.

Project Shtandart has already built two, with the third one currently being developed at our boatyard. Here is the brief history of our boats:

Gig “Mechta” (Russian for ‘Dream’), the first Shtandart project built gig was launched on May 27, 2007, as part of the spectacular celebration of the City day in St-Petersburg.
During the first summer its crew took part in various sea festivals and events in Finland. In the summer of 2008 “Mechta”, this time with a Russian-Dutch crew onboard, took part in the international gig competition during Atlantic Challenge event, also in Finland. In 2009 “Mechta” completed a trip from St-Petersburg to Kotka and back!

Also in 2009 our second gig “Alpha” was successfully launched.

We are currently working on our third gig, and all are welcome to join. As well as learning the sea craft, it’s an opportunity to learn to manage a project or part of it. It’s not just working in a team, it’s building a team of your own.

The main aim of the gig project is to create a fleet of gigs in St-Petersburg so that local festivals and competitions could be held here as part of the “Atlantic Challenge” program. We really want people of St-Petersbug to be able to experience the thrill and the adventure of sailing!

If you want to join the team of builders, we are waiting for you. Participation will depend on your circumstances – from ongoing work, being in charge of a particular aspect, to helping occasionally or even just taking part once, whatever time you can find! Please get in touch!