APRIL 2016 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com 89OUR VERDICT ON THE BOAT
What’s she like to sail?
The view forward from the helm was good, although with big
waves and the helm being so far back, the motion of the boat
was exaggerated. The ride was undulating, not unpleasant, and
I’d pick the Wauquiez over many, in those conditions. Her helm
wasn’t heavy, neither was it light, it was fi rm with weight to it, as
if she had an oversized rudder.
When we were beating we could have reefed the mainsail, but
she didn’t feel over-pressed and it was helping us power over
and through the waves. Off the wind she picked up her skirts and
jogged along nicely, without the wave action to impede her she
was quick (all things considered) and enjoyable, and the weight
on the helm was less apparent.
All the sail controls led aft to the wheels, so the helmsman can
control most things. With the furling jib led to starboard and the
mainsheet to port, and the optional electric winches, you could
trim both sheets simultaneously when hardening up.What’s she like in port and at anchor?
It’s always nice to see a staggered twin bow roller, allowing two
anchors to be stowed along side each other ready for use. The
starboard roller is the primary position, as it leads back to the
windlass (fi tted as standard). Once anchored, she would
be a great boat to relax on. The sheltered cockpit is perfect for
hiding from any breeze while still making the most of the sun.
There’s also a fl at area forward of the mast for deck cushions.
The views out from inside the boat are good, if the seating
was a little higher (or if I were a few inches taller) the vista
would be perfect. The cabins are well laid out, and details such
as the wet locker at the companionway will improve life on board
during inclement weather.
There are good shelved lockers and cubbyholes inboard,
behind the cook, giving easy access to everyday things. Then
there is the view out, not a complete panorama but it is glorious.
The saloon is a really nice place to be, and her looks aren’t
penalised because of it.Would she suit you and your crew?
She’s easily handled by two people, but she can accommodate
more crew, or passengers, with ease. She’d suit a large family or
a couple sailing with friends. Her standard draught (2.10m) and
overall length may become a bind on local port-hopping cruises,
but you’ll be glad she’s long and deep if you cruise further afi eld.
She may not have the build quality of the high-end brands but
neither does she have their price tag – and she does exude style
and comfort, both in port and under way. The elements might not
care for style, but her high coaming around the cockpit provides
excellent shelter for those not helming.
Down below, you wouldn’t really know what the elements
are doing, out of the wind. Our test session could have been a
beautiful spring morning, rather than the bitterly cold January
day it actually was. That’s one of the great things about deck
saloon yachts: whatever the time of year, or the weather outside,
they offer warmth, shelter and a view – which might not sound
like ‘sailing’, but I can assure you it is!Would she
suit your style
of sailing?COA STA L
PORT-HOPPING
★★★★★CREEK
CRAWLING
★★★★★OFFSHORE
PASSAGE-MAKING
★★★★★TRADE WIND
VOYAGING
★★★★★HIGH-LATITUDE
ADVENTURE
★★★★★FACTS AND FIGURES
■ Price €583,200
Inc VAT (Approx
£456,846)
■ LOA 14.36m (47ft 1in)
■ LWL 12.75m (41ft 10in)
■ Beam 4.61m (15ft 1in)
■ Draught
2.10m (6ft 11in)
■ Displacement
14,000kg (30,867 lb)
■ Ballast
3,900kg (8598 lb)
■ Ballast ratio 27.9(%)
■ Sail area 102m^2 (1,098sq ft)
■ SA/D ratio 17.9
■ Diesel 650 litres (143 gal)
■ Water 650 litres (143 gal)
■ Engine 110hp
■ Transmission Shaft
■ RCD category AWauquiez
Pilot Saloon
48
GRAPHICS: LIZA SAWYER/MAXINE HEATH■ Designer Berret/Racoupeau
Yacht Design
■ Builder Wauquiez Yachts
■ UK Agent Parkstone Bay Yachts
■ Te l +44 (0)1202 724917
■ Website
Parkstonebayyachts.comNEW BOAT TEST
The full-width owner’s cabin is a really nice space in which to relaxAccess to the engine is from the top down