The bacôve: a boat of exceptional size

The bacôve is the market gardener's boat of yesteryear. Today, it is a popular passenger boat for tourism. We provide the design, construction and establishment of navigation titles for your project.

The bacôve: goods transport boat of the Audomarois marshes

A traditional Audomarois boat that has crisscrossed this UNESCO-certified natural area for centuries, the bacôve is a flat-bottomed boat with a clapboard planking. It was used in particular for the transport of goods and the specialty of Saint-Omer: cauliflower! Much appreciated by market gardeners during the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries, the bacôve is today favored for cruises in the marsh of Saint-Omer or any other marshes and fresh water courses in France. The reasons abound! It is an imposing boat, robust, stable and is approved for the transport of passengers!

Your bacôve

Traditional construction of escutes, bacôves, wooden fishing boats, Picardy boats and custom-made boats, restoration of wooden boats, etc.

We are the experts in the field north of Paris! Indeed, we benefit from a great experience in the matter!

A project ?

History of bacôve

Derived from the Cogue, the bacôve appeared in the Audomarois landscape from the Middle Ages. This boat, which is inseparable from the development of the Saint-Omer marsh, was then used to transport goods and all heavy loads. For a long time, it effectively allowed the transport of stones, construction wood, goods and of course, cauliflowers!
The market gardeners of Saint-Omer set their sights on this typical boat from the beginning of the XNUMXth century, marking the rise of market gardening and the cultivation of cauliflower.
Large in size, the bacôve alone made it possible to transport nearly 3,5 tons of cauliflower at the time when the land was inaccessible by land.
With an extraordinary lifespan, the boat was transmitted and is still transmitted from generation to generation, like a family piece of furniture. It can be kept for 25 years in continuous use 6 days out of 7, but 40 years on average for normal use.
Note that if thefollow resembled the market gardener's car, the bacôve was his heavy truck. It was used not only for transporting vegetables, but also for horses, agricultural equipment, and even the tractor! It was then necessary to pair two bacôves.

History of bacôve

Derived from the Cogue, the bacôve appeared in the Audomarois landscape from the Middle Ages. This boat, which is inseparable from the development of the Saint-Omer marsh, was then used to transport goods and all heavy loads. For a long time, it effectively allowed the transport of stones, construction wood, goods and of course, cauliflowers!
The market gardeners of Saint-Omer set their sights on this typical boat from the beginning of the XNUMXth century, marking the rise of market gardening and the cultivation of cauliflower.
Large in size, the bacôve alone made it possible to transport nearly 3,5 tons of cauliflower at the time when the land was inaccessible by land.
With an extraordinary lifespan, the boat was transmitted and is still transmitted from generation to generation, like a family piece of furniture. It can be kept for 25 years in continuous use 6 days out of 7, but 40 years on average for normal use.
Note that if thefollow resembled the market gardener's car, the bacôve was his heavy truck. It was used not only for transporting vegetables, but also for horses, agricultural equipment, and even the tractor! It was then necessary to pair two bacôves.

The family companion

Companion of the family, he lived with his owners during working hours, Sunday walks... He was there on feast days (bridal processions on wedding days, for example), but also during the saddest moments (funeral processions) …
Mythical boat, mainly used for tourism in the Audomarois marshes, the bacôve is still built in the traditional way by the boat makers. The craftsmen perpetuate in the marsh of Lyzel, the ancestral gestures.

Bacôve production

Just like the escute, the bacôve is made in the workshop of the boat makers thanks to a know-how of yesteryear, a bit secret... To do this, the craftsmen use beautiful boards cut from exceptional oaks. , which they select themselves in the forest of Rihoult Clairmarais, located 1 km from the workshop.
After having cut all the pieces, bent the planks, adjusted the plating on the ribs, placed the stems, the peaks and the gunwale, firmly fixed everything with real blacksmith nails, comes the final stage of caulking. This is done the old-fashioned way with oakum then brushing with natural tar from Norway to nourish the wood.
Each operation is meticulous and the classic bacôve requires about a month and a half of work. The result is exceptional. The launch of this unique boat is always a moving moment for the Boat Makers workshop...

Bacôve production

Just like the escute, the bacôve is made in the workshop of the boat makers thanks to a know-how of yesteryear, a bit secret... To do this, the craftsmen use beautiful boards cut from exceptional oaks. , which they select themselves in the forest of Rihoult Clairmarais, located 1 km from the workshop.
After having cut all the pieces, bent the planks, adjusted the plating on the ribs, placed the stems, the peaks and the gunwale, firmly fixed everything with real blacksmith nails, comes the final stage of caulking. This is done the old-fashioned way with oakum then brushing with natural tar from Norway to nourish the wood.
Each operation is meticulous and the classic bacôve requires about a month and a half of work. The result is exceptional. The launch of this unique boat is always a moving moment for the Boat Makers workshop...

Dimensions and capacities of the bacôve

Unlike the escute, there is only one size of bacôve, ie 9,5 meters long by 2 meters wide.
Weighing close to 1,5 tons, it looks like a “giant of the swamp”. It is nonetheless extremely maneuverable and fast. A simple 2 horsepower electric motor allows it to be driven without any discomfort.
The secret of its performance? Its planking joins the bow forward and aft to form 2 points. This construction resulting from plans transmitted like a family secret for centuries between boat builders, allows unparalleled stability and glide on the water. Even in bad weather, the bow cuts through the waves without the boat being stirred. In addition, this hull shape gives it a unique elegance in France.

The structure is made up of 18 oak ribs. Eight of them are reinforced by an iron bracket.

The large number of frames is justified by the primary use of the bacôve, namely, to be the working tool of market gardeners. Its use required supporting heavy loads (up to 3,5 tonnes), resisting shocks and maintaining its stability during transport (eg vegetables, tractor, horses, etc.).

The bâcove: approved for passenger transport

The choice of river tourism professionals, the bacôve can carry 12 people, driver excluded.

Do you want such a boat for your professional activity or do you want a solid boat for fishing and going out with your family?
The traditional market gardener's boat, the bacôve, will meet your needs!

The bâcove: approved for passenger transport

The choice of river tourism professionals, the bacôve can carry 12 people, driver excluded.

Do you want such a boat for your professional activity or do you want a solid boat for fishing and going out with your family?
The traditional market gardener's boat, the bacôve, will meet your needs!