A look aboard the new JP54- Below decks - the revolving interior!
by Richard Gladwell on 23 Mar 2010
View of the JP54’s Saloon looking aft towards the companionway - the large diameter circle on the floor marks the revolving area. SW
On our walk home from the final day of the Louis Vuitton Trophy, Sail-World was invited abroad the new JP54 tied up in the Viaduct basin, having just made the delivery trip from her Tauranga builder's yard, the night before.
Based on the technology developed for high speed short handers of around 60ft in length, the JP54 is the brainchild of Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA) a renowned short handed racer, most recently of Paprec Virbac 2 and the Vendee Globe fame, and shows plenty of IMOCA Open 60 thinking, combined with a dramatic interior by Stephanie Marin.
JP's concept for the yacht was to have the speed of an Open 60, but with the cruising capability to be able to visits the many remote areas he sailed past in his circumnavigations. The interior has accommodation for eight - four adults and four children.
The feature of the main saloon is the revolving floor - like a revolving restaurant - so the futuristically styled combined navigation, storage and galley module can be rotated so that it is always to windward - making for comfort of operations, and keeping the weight to windward, as well - saving the use of ballast systems.
Her interior was designed by Stephanie Marin
The JP54 features a canting keel. and many other innovative features, as we shall see.
A 'satellite' is the principal feature of the yacht's interior. This concept was developed aboard Paprec-Virbac 2 which is a storage space allowing the transfer of weight to windward in a few seconds. This is the first time that a similar concept has been put aboard a cruising yacht.
The navigation station with and without Jean-Pierre Dick in action, the revolution of the satellite module is controlled while sitting down at the navigation station.
Stowage is contained in the navigation and galley module
Looking forward to the kids' berths with the wetbox and canting keel mechanism in the foreground
The wetbox with the head of the canting keel
Grab handles built into the cabin ceiling double as fluorescent lights
The forepeak or 'technical area' has pumps for the desalination unit, grey and black water tanks, with sail storage opposite and forward.
Jean-Pierre demonstrates the canting toilet in the shower and head area.
Double berths and cabins are contained aft of the saloon
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Technical specifications
Hull length: 16.45 metres
Overall length: 18.235 metres
Beam: 5.3metres
Air draft: 25.10metres
Displacement: 9 tonnes
Engine: 55hp sail drive
Sail area upwind: 216sq metres
Sail area downwind: 434 metres
Designer:Guilluame Verdier
Interior designer: Stephanie Marin
Concept: Jean-Pierre Dick
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