With the first sailing video “Sail Fast, Live Skaw [A]” The French shipyard has now released video footage of a project that, until now, had been known mainly through designs and construction reports. In the film, the Skaw A is predominantly sailed single-handed. In winds of up to around ten knots and with light swell, she initially sails with a Fathead mainsail and Code Zero; later on, she can also be seen under a gennaker and jib.
With or without foils, light swell
Most of the film shows the Skaw on calm water and in light winds of no more than about ten knots. The Skaw A is usually sailed single-handed. The neon-yellow C-foils protrude from the deck on both sides and are not in use during the light-wind sections. In another shot, the Skaw A is sailing under a gennaker, again without the foils extended. Towards the end, the footage switches to stronger winds and slight swells. The Skaw A is then seen sailing with a mainsail-jib combination. The drone footage shows the boat travelling at significantly higher speed, with a clearly broken wake as it planes. Both C-foils are extended and the Skaw is sailing very upright.
A cockpit like that of an offshore racer
Several short cross-sectional views show the steering system comprising two vertical tiller arms with tiller extensions. The helmsman stands well aft. Close-up shots reveal numerous halyards and trimmers, which converge centrally in front of the cockpit. A striking feature is the enormously wide jib traveller on the foredeck; it extends across the entire width of the hull. The large, dark window panes also stand out in the film. Long bands of light run along the hull, whilst further bands of windows are set into the deck. A brief glimpse from the deck saloon-like superstructure reveals the view to the side. Nothing of the interior is visible.
Carbon fibre hull and deck structure
The Skaw A is built entirely from carbon fibre. Its unusual scow bow creates plenty of volume in the foredeck. The design includes two double cabins in the stern, a bathroom with a separate shower, and a saloon in the foredeck. The galley and navigation area are amidships. The asymmetrical cockpit combines the working area on the starboard side with a wide sunbathing area on the port side. A glazed hardtop extending well aft shelters the cockpit, whilst a large swimming platform facilitates access in harbour.
Behind the design are foiling specialist Benoît Marie and designer Clément Bercault. The YACHT announcement regarding the world premiere had already described the concept as a combination of offshore racing and cruising. It is now becoming clear how the idea works on the water. In mid-October, the Skaw A is due to take part in the comparative trials for the European Yacht of the Year 2027 sail off the coast of Palma under independent observation.
Technical specifications of the Skaw A
| Characteristic | Information |
| Design engineers | Benoît Marie, Clément Bercault |
| Fuselage length | 11.95 m |
| Width | 4.87 m |
| Draught | 1.20–3.50 m |
| Displacement, light | 6 t |
| Mast height above water | 19.05 m |
| Mainsail | 64 m² |
| Head sail | J1: 45 m², J2: 29 m², J3: 12 m² |
| Gennaker | 93 m² |
| asymmetrical spinnaker | 135–184 m² |
| Fresh water | 150–400 litres |
| Fuel | 80–200 litres |
| Engine | 38 PS in-board diesel engine |
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Scows and wide bow shapes
Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
