Cast off and off we go! Leave everyday life on shore behind. Set sail for exotic destinations, for adventures far from civilisation. There’s hardly a sailor who doesn’t dream of this at some point. Fortunate are those who make their dream come true. They then eventually start looking for a suitable boat. It must be robust, safe and seaworthy, even in high latitudes. And large enough to live on for a long time. Such a boat should also make good speed, so that long ocean crossings don’t drag on forever.
The new Breehorn 55 has been designed to meet these exacting specifications. It is built at the shipyard of the same name in Woudsend, Friesland. This small business, with just a handful of employees, produces only a few boats a year. The 55 is now the flagship of the range and, in many respects, a first for Breehorn. For the first time, the shipyard has combined an aluminium hull with a deck made of glass-fibre-reinforced plastic. A combination of materials that, for example, the French shipyard Allures uses in its blue-water yachts.
The aluminium hull is an exception for Breehorn. It was built at the buyer’s express request. The buyer apparently belongs to the target group described at the outset and intends to sail round the world in his new yacht in the near future, including detours to challenging sailing areas beyond the ‘barefoot route’.
The aluminium hull is being built by Jachtbouw Folmer. These Dutch light-metal specialists also weld hulls and hull shells for other shipyards and brands. Breehorn could just as easily build the 55-footer entirely from GRP, as it does all the other yachts in its finely graded model range between 31 and 48 feet.
Slim fuselage and an unusual mix of materials
The design of this cruising yacht, measuring just under 17 metres, is once again the work of Simonis Voogd Design. It remains true to the Frisian shipyard’s characteristic design language: a raked stem, the classic yacht stern and well-balanced proportions characterise its distinctly traditional appearance. At the same time, the hull is comparatively slender for a modern cruising yacht of this size. The length-to-beam ratio is around 3.5, which is well above the standard aspect ratio of 3.0. The design of the superstructure also has a distinctive character. The foredeck is flat, and the cabin roof only rises behind the mast. On top of this sits a compact, distinctly set-apart pilothouse. This combination gives the Breehorn 55 its brand-typical silhouette, familiar from the smaller 44 and also the 48.
The keel is welded directly to the aluminium hull. The hollow structure is filled with lead and permanently sealed. As there is no access to air or light, electrolysis – a concern for many aluminium boat owners – is not an issue. Despite the moderate draught of 2.20 metres, the ballast accounts for around a third of the total weight of approximately 22 tonnes. This is comparatively high, but necessary given the slender hull and its lower structural rigidity.
Once the hull has been delivered, spray-applied foam insulation is applied above the waterline. This is designed to even out temperature differences, prevent the formation of condensation and thus ensure a comfortable, dry environment below deck, even in cold waters.
Conventional rigging for long sea crossings
In keeping with its classic appearance, the Breehorn 55’s rigging design also remains decidedly conventional. The Seldén mast, with its robust profile, is supported by two pairs of spreaders. The sail plan is high, yet comparatively slender in cut. Upwind, the 55 sails with a conventional mainsail and a large, widely overlapping genoa. The standard equipment also includes a cutter stay and a stay jib. This means that the Breehorn 55 comes straight from the shipyard with a set of sails that is popular and tried-and-tested for long voyages on the high seas.
The sailing test on the IJsselmeer
For the test off Makkum, the IJsselmeer is at its best. The wind is blowing at four to five Beaufort and the waves are about one metre high. With the mainsail and genoa hoisted, the Breehorn 55 maintains a steady 7.2 knots when sailing close-hauled. On a half-wind course, the speed rises to 8.0 knots even without an additional headsail. The battened Frisian yacht feels remarkably calm and stable. It cuts through the short waves with excellent course-holding ability and is hardly thrown off its rhythm.
However, she does not exactly come across as spirited or even agile. Her heavy weight and comparatively elongated design, with its pronounced keel step, are clearly noticeable: the Breehorn reacts sedately during manoeuvres and takes a little time to regain full speed after a tack or jibe. It is not possible to assess how the boat behaves in long swells on the open sea following the test on the sheltered IJsselmeer. However, the sloping bow stem and the slender foredeck suggest a smooth and gentle entry into the waves.
Stable course, but without redundant control mechanisms
At the helm, the Breehorn 55 feels very well-balanced. It is pleasantly easy to steer, without feeling unresponsive. A slight but clearly perceptible rudder pressure provides sufficient feedback. Thanks to its high course stability, the yacht requires only minor corrections at the wheel, a characteristic that also Autopilots benefits from this. It needs to intervene less frequently whilst driving and therefore uses less electricity. This is a clear advantage, particularly during long journeys.
The Jefa steering system operates using a continuous cable that connects the two wheels and the quadrant. Unfortunately, this means there is no redundancy should the steering mechanism fail due to a fault. In such a case, the only safety measure is the autopilot, which acts directly on the rudder shaft and can take over control permanently in the event of a technical fault. Furthermore, the steering system is difficult to access from the cockpit.
Convenient operation at the touch of a button
The owner of the test vessel has placed particular emphasis on ensuring the most comfortable handling possible. Accordingly, all trim functions on the vessel can be operated at the touch of a button. To this end, the boat has been fitted with a furling mast, amongst other features. Due to their greater susceptibility to faults, Retractable masts Otherwise, it’s not usually the first choice for long-distance sailors.
Regardless of the individual configuration, the sheets for the mainsail, genoa and staysail are each operated via their own generously sized Andersen winches in the cockpit. There are also dedicated halyards available for the backstay, which stabilises the rig when the staysail is hoisted.
On the test vessel, however, all halyards and trim lines are operated directly from the mast. The shipyard demonstrates flexibility regarding the arrangement of fittings and the routing of lines. The deck layout can be largely adapted to suit each owner’s preferences.
In the cockpit, the limited storage space is noticeable. There are only small compartments beneath the two seats for the helmsman. The shipyard has, however, deliberately omitted traditional lockers beneath the gunwales. This is understandable given the demanding conditions at sea, as large openings in the cockpit always pose a risk of water ingress. Fenders and other bulky items are instead stowed in the large, deep sail locker in the foredeck.
The Breehorn 55 in detail
Technical specifications of the Breehorn 55
- Designer: Simonis Voodg Design
- CE design category: A
- Fuselage length: 16.67 m
- Waterline length: 14.20 m
- Width: 4.78 m
- Draught: 2.20 m
- Mast height above water level: 23.45 m
- Theoretical fuselage speed: 9.2 knots
- Weight: 22.0 t
- Ballast/proportion: 7.25 t/33 per cent
- Mainsail: 76.0 m²
- Furling genoa (106 per cent): 68.0 m²
- Stag jib: 33.0 m²
- Spinnaker: 180.0 m²
- Engine (Yanmar): 81 kW/110 PS
- Fuel tanks (aluminium): 2 x 600 litres
- Fresh water tanks (PVC): 2 x 400 l
Hull and deck construction
Hull made of seawater-resistant aluminium in an S-frame configuration, welded to the keel. The deck is made of GRP (foam-core sandwich) using the vacuum infusion process.
Motorisation
Yanmar’s inboard engine, with an output of 110 PS, remains the standard with no alternatives. It also comes with a shaft drive and a three-bladed folding propeller fitted at the shipyard. A retractable bow thruster is also included as standard.
Rig and sails
Breehorn fits its 55s with a robust twin-sail rig from Seldén, complete with a cutter stay. A set of offshore sails (mainsail, genoa, staysail) is also included. A furling mast, as fitted to the test boat, is an option.
In Part 2: How well do the pilothouse, living areas and access to technical facilities work on long voyages?
Book recommendation
A Brief Guide to Blue-Water Sailing covers the preparation for long sailing trips: from the choice of vessel, through the rig, sails and equipment, to energy management and safety. Anyone assessing a yacht for an extended voyage will find guidance here on which systems and features will remain important beyond the next trip. Provisions, costs and everyday life on board are also discussed.
Is high course stability more important for a long-distance yacht than manoeuvrability when turning and during harbour manoeuvres? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology