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Barton Marine 2019 728x90

When elegance meets performance - The new Wauquiez 55

by EXEL Industries 12 Feb 2024 07:20 UTC

Wauquiez in few words:

A mythical boatyard since 1965, of legendary bluewater sailboats, for bluewater navigators, designed for them... manufactured with utmost professionalism. Powerful, seaworthly and secure, elegant and refined boats with absolute comfort.

Brand strategy

  • Vision: Inspiring renewal, redefining the luxury sailing experience by creating sailboats that push the boundaries of performance and innovation.
  • Values: Excellence, craftsmanship, impeccable quality
  • Mission: Create exceptional boats
  • Ambition: Meet the expectations of discerning customers and set new standards of excellence
  • Customers: Experienced and demanding sailors, aesthetically-minded boating enthusiasts
  • Style: Modern, refined design with timeless elegance
  • Positioning: High-end, technical, and convivial
  • Commitment: Delivering memorable sailing experiences marked by elegance and performance

Observing to create better

  • Reaching a wider clientele: from experienced sailors to aesthetes, not forgetting every member of the crew, sometimes novices.
  • Evolving uses: sailing for performance, enjoying living and relaxation spaces, and enjoying various water activities with ease.
  • Safety and reliability: during navigation, maneuvers, and at anchor.
  • Increase desire for open spaces: a bright boat, connected to the outdoors.
  • Premium comfort: spaces with elegant and refined design, large volumes, large ergonomic and functional storage.
  • Innovation: user-oriented, onboard electronics, more eco-friendly

A competition with renowned and selected architects

  • Architectural competition: 2 French, 2 European, 1 designer
  • Description: Premium owner's sailboat, inspired by the brand's history while becoming definitively modern, even avant-garde.
  • Targets: Appeal to an expert and demanding clientele, as well as a younger clientele with high expectations in terms of design, comfort, and performance.
  • Positioning:
    • Premium offshore sailboat from 50 to 55 feet.
    • Designed for a reduced crew (typically 2 to 4 people, max 6), capable of being manoeuvered single-handedly.
    • Design: Modern, elongated, streamlined, elegant, and timeless.
  • Deck layout:
    • A centrally secured cockpit with integrated steering position,
    • A comfortable and adjustable relaxation area,
    • A leisure and activities area at anchor
  • Interior layout: Focused on usage, 2 double cabins, 1 guest cabin, 2 bathrooms, 1 dedicated technical zone (with multiple access points). A clear view of the exterior while standing or sitting from the saloon and the galley. 270 degrees view from the aft cabin. Easy movement throughout the boat (limited number of levels) with rear access to the cabin and ample storage space.

Perception and orientation:

This boat must captivate at first glance with the power, elegance, and timeless modernity of its lines. The level of comfort it provides at sea, along with its ability to reach double-digit speeds, should offer exceptional moments while maintaining a sense of total security.

The relevance of its details and the quality of its execution must justify its premium positioning. A true lightweight boat where life on board and the high comfort both outside and inside create a feeling of total immersion with nature..."

Technical description

Configurations

  • 2 Layouts:
    • owner's version
    • long-distance travel version (With Additionnal hold)
  • 2 types of Keel:
    • Fixed keel: Draft 2.40m
    • Swing keel: Draft 4.20m / 1.60m
  • 3 different rigs:
    • Standard: Aluminum Mast - Boom with Lazybag
    • Furling Mast: Aluminum Furling Mast - Aluminum Boom
    • Performance: Carbon Mast - Furling Boom

    General characteristics

    • Overall Length: 17.58 m Hull Length: 16.40 m
    • Overall Beam: 5.25 m
    • Draft (fixed / lifting): 2.40 m / 1.60-4.20 m
    • Light Displacement: 20t
    • Loaded Displacement: 25t
    • Keel Weight (fixed / swing keel): 4.95t / 3.84t
    • Upwind Sail Area (std / furling / perf): 164 / 157 / 169m"
    • Engine (std / optional): 2 x 50hp / 2 x 75hp
    • Fuel Capacity: 930L
    • Fresh Water Capacity: 720L

    Engine / Power

    • Dual Volvo D2 Engines 50hp or 75hp:
      • Safety
      • Improved torque, better efficiency (2 propellers)
      • Lower consumption at equivalent speed due to lower engine speed
      • Higher maximum speed
    • Saildrive:
      • Propeller position: more forward
      • Better manoeuvrability, as it is closer to the keel (rotation axis)
      • Quieter in the owner's cabin
      • Protection fins for saildrive
    • INTEGREL System:Powerful Alternator 8kW (optional x2)
    • No Generator:(Overall Weight = Equivalent)
    • Optional Parallel Hybrid Solution:(Generator + 2 Electric Motors)
    • EmpirBus System: Monitoring, Digital Switching, Automatisation

    Engine Location

    • Central Position under Cockpit
      • 2 Access: one from the starboard cabin and one from the cockpit
      • Noisy equipment gathered: Optimized insulation
        • Engines
        • Air Conditioning Compressor
        • Watermaker
        • Freshwater Pump
      • Easy accessibility for routine maintenance
      • Loaded Diesel Tank - Prevents priming issues
      • Electrical Systems

    Navigation Station and Electronics

    • Enclosed Cockpit and Helm Station
      • Front glass windshield, wipers, ventilation
      • Electric maneuvers: furlers, winches, mainsail traveler
    • GARMIN / EmpirBus electronics
      • 1 or 2 16-inch screens at the helm station
      • Monitoring of the electrical system on the same screen
      • Digital switching: onboard equipments management
    • Chart table in the saloon
      • 16-inch screen: overall management of the vessel
    • Equipment control via remote control or smartphone
    • Remote monitoring (optional)

    High performance boat

    • Light Boat: between 20 and 25 tons
    • Ballast weight: (fixed / retractable): 4.95 T / 3.84 T
    • Upwind sail area: from 157 to 169 sqm
    • Best ratios in the "Bluewater Cruiser" category:
      • Sail Area to Displacement Ratio: 8.5
      • Length to Displacement Ratio: 0.82
    • Form stability
      • Significant width
      • Generous volume at the bow
    • Crew protection + Electric Maneuver = Efficiency

    A response to customer expectations

    • Desire for elegance and refinement: beautiful materials, exquisite finishes, the possibility to customize upholstery materials.
    • Need for high-end comfort onboard: spacious beds, large showers, multiple interconnected living spaces, ample headroom
    • Necessity for all utilities onboard: (fully equipped kitchen, standard household appliances, ample storage spaces.)
    • Sensation of openness to the outside: emphasis on windows to maximize natural light and enhance visibility. Deck hatches above the front cabin bed.
    • Search for additional space: possibility of an extra cabin that can be used as a technical room, workshop, crew cabin, etc...
    • Meeting the requirements of each sailor:
      • Two types of layout
      • Three different sail plans
      • Two types of keel
      • An evolving and potentially connected electronics system
    • Need for reliability:
      • French stratification and carpentry
      • A single integrator for all electrical-electronics
      • Security of dual propulsion
      • Security of a dual autopilot
      • Technical room with dual accessibility (external and internal)
    • Maximum safety on board:
      • Central cockpit: 100% of maneuvers controllable from the cockpit
      • Simplified and refined deck layout at the front for better safety during navigation and maneuvers
      • High and safe lifelines (750mm)
      • Electronic replicators display controllable in the owner's cabin
      • Connected watch: pilot control, anchoring safety area...
    • More environmentally friendly:
      • No more teak decks
      • Reduced consumption (dual propulsion, electrical regeneration without a generator, and optimized during engine use)
      • Hybridization
      • Integration of PET foams (stratification and plywood) and PETC wood (responsible forestry)

    Unique specifications

    • Lifting keel (draft from 1.6m to 4.2m)
    • Dual propulsion (safety, manoeuvrability, increased power source)
    • Single or double INTEGREL system: 8 to 16kWh of recharging capacity
    • Boat 100% connected on board and at home
    • Three outdoor living spaces:
      • Central cockpit: safety and navigation
      • Relaxing space: 2 ajustable sunbed
      • Leisure space: large area, furnished, with easy access to the sea
    • Central cockpit with dual laminar ventilation
    • Direct access to owner's cabin
    • Unrivaled bright surfaces
    • Panoramic view > 270 degrees (owner's cabin and saloon)
    • Volumes de rangements importants sans Significant storage volumes without reducing the feeling of space
    • Third navigation sanitary

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