The Wauquiez brand has been relatively quiet for a long time. The last time the French presented a completely new boat was six years ago with the PS 42. Now the traditional brand is surprising everyone with its plans to completely relaunch the concept of the traditional centre-cockpit yacht. The project for the new Wauquiez 55 was officially unveiled at the boot trade fair in Düsseldorf.
Wauquiez as a baking deck
The remarkably innovative design comes from the studio of Marc Lombard Yacht Design and features an interesting reinterpretation of the classic forecastle deck with a cabin superstructure across the entire width of the ship and running decks running high above the arched cabin superstructure. The cockpit and the steering position built into the side at the front are protected by a robust dodger with a hardtop and a fixed windscreen.
The aft deck is reserved entirely for enjoyment and relaxation with an unusually spacious lounge area that is stepped towards the rear. In addition to extensive sun loungers, a wide bathing platform ensures easy and safe access to the water.
More benefits for owners
Exciting and unique in its form: a separate entrance leads from the aft bridge deck directly into the large double cabin in the aft section. This gives the owners more flexibility and customised options for using their own living area.
The Wauquiez 55 is built with either a fixed keel or a swivelling keel. With the flexible annex, the boat should even be able to fall dry without any problems. There are also variations for the rig. In addition to the standard version with a conventional but relatively high aluminium mast with two spreaders, a furling mast or a higher rig made of carbon fibre for sportier requirements is also available as an option. Customers can also choose whether they want to sail the boat with a self-tacking jib or with a larger, overlapping genoa. A gennaker or a reacher can be attached to the relatively long, firmly laminated bowsprit. And for longer passages on the high seas in wind and waves, a set-back staysail can also be fitted.
Two motors - Many advantages
The motorisation also matches the extraordinary concept. Wauquiez has fitted its new blue-water yacht with two built-in engines, each with an output of 50 hp. The bottom line is that this should reduce fuel consumption and significantly reduce noise emissions. In addition, the boat will be much easier to manoeuvre in the harbour with two engines and will also manage without a bow or stern thruster. As an alternative, Wauquiez also wants to offer the new 55 with a hybrid system with two electric motors and a large generator.
The Wauquiez 55 will be fitted out below deck with two very spacious double cabins forward and aft, each with its own bathroom and separate shower area. An additional Pullman cabin with two bunk berths and its own bathroom is provided for guests, but can also be converted into storage space, a workshop or a walk-in wardrobe. The galley is installed to the side in the passageway to the aft cabin. The shipyard does not offer any significant alternatives for the interior design, the standard layout can be seen in the photo gallery above.
The world premiere of the Wauquiez 55 is scheduled for next autumn at the Yachting Festival in Cannes. However, the shipyard has not yet given an initial price estimate.
Technical data Wauquiez 55
- Designer: Marc Lombard Yacht Design Group
- Hull length: 17.58 m
- Width: 5.25 m
- Draught with fixed keel: 2.40 m
- Draught with swing keel: 1.60-4.20 m
- Weight (empty): 20,0 t
- Ballast/proportion of fixed keel: 4.95 t/25 %
- Ballast/proportion of swing keel: 3.84 t/19 %
- Sail area downwind: 164.0 m² (Std.)/157.0 m² (Furling)/169.0 m² (Performance)
- Engine (Volvo Penta): 2x 50 hp (2x 75 hp optional)
- Fuel capacity: 930 litres
- Fresh water capacity: 720 litres
