The French shipyard Wauquiez has been turning out boats since 1965, when its first model was the Elizabethan 29. Many sailors know Wauquiez for its Centurion models, which established the brand name through the Centurion 32 in 1968. More recently, in 2014, an updated version called the Centurion 57 marked the return of that well-known line.
Now comes the Wauquiez 55, for which the builder offered a sneak peek during the recent boat show in Düsseldorf, Germany—and which is scheduled to make its debut in the flesh at the Cannes Yachting Festival later this year.
The Wauquiez 55 is the first model of a new range, with a design by Marc Lombard that screams fully modern sailing yacht. It’s intended for owners who want to head offshore, with light-filled living spaces and updated performance elements. Styling is clean and sophisticated, inside and out.
A hardtop protects the central cockpit, which looks (in the renderings) like it will have good visibility through the windshield. There are wipers to clear away the remains of afternoon showers. The navigation space also has opening panels for letting in fresh air.
Back in the cockpit, there’s a relaxation space for guests who want to stretch out in the two sunbathing areas. There’s also what Wauquiez calls a “leisure deck,” which could be used for putting on snorkeling equipment, fishing or preparing to head off and explore with kayaks or paddleboards.
Interior design is by Stéphane Roséo in La Rochelle, France. The layout incorporates stowage between the salon benches and sheer, with portholes on the hull for guests to enjoy views of the outdoors. Portholes are on the coachroof too.
Dining is to port, with a table surrounded by C-shape booth seating. Bench-style seating runs along the side closest to centerline. Across from there, to starboard, is seating for intimate conversations, working a bit on a laptop or tablet computer, or getting lost in a good book. The navigation station is abaft this seating area, with the galley also nearby for easy service inside and out.
The forward stateroom is down a few steps with a walkaround berth and a head. Another stateroom is aft, with a glass opening and direct access out onto the deck.
Depending on what type of sailing owners want to do, they can opt for a lifting keel, carbon rigging and a furling jib.
How does the Wauquiez shipyard fix the keel? By stainless steel bolts. The rigging and appendages are integrated into the structure of the boat, to ensure distribution of their forces.
Where to learn more: click over to wauquiez.com
