wauquiez sailboat specs

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THE RENEWAL

When elegance meets performance.

The Wauquiez 55 stands for excellence in offshore sailing, combining cutting-edge performance and luxurious comfort with a modern and innovative design. Every aspect of this sailboat has been meticulously designed to guarantee safe and pleasurable sailing, boasting expansive, light-filled living areas that create an elegant environment for unforgettable sailing experiences. The Wauquiez 55 turns every trip at sea into an exceptional moment.

spacious areas

Three distinct living spaces.

The Wauquiez 55 is distinguished by its three living spaces : a centrally positioned cockpit optimized for safe sailing, a relaxation area for shared moments, and a dedicated swimming space for water activities, all reflecting a perfect blend of functionality, comfort, and elegance. These spaces make the sailboat a true sanctuary, inviting both adventure and relaxation.

DESIGNED TO BRAVE THE OCEANS

A daring hull.

The daring hull of the Wauquiez 55 embodies a perfect fusion of cutting-edge aesthetics and technical prowess. Designed to provide uncompromising stability, it facilitates remarkably easy navigation, no matter the sea conditions. More than just ensuring its seaworthiness, this hull embodies a commitment to speed and efficiency, enabling the Wauquiez 55 to deliver optimal performance on every sea outing.

ultimate COMFORT

A light-filled boat.

Each cabin, flooded with natural light, blends aesthetics and functionality, providing an ideal setting for the relaxation and well-being of the crew. The spacious layouts and abundant storage solutions enhance this premium sailing experience.

CHARACTERISTICS

Caracteristiques.

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Wauquiez 33

The wauquiez 33 is a 33.0ft masthead sloop designed by holman & pye and built in fiberglass by wauquiez, henri (chantier) since 1973..

The Wauquiez 33 is a moderate weight sailboat which is a reasonably good performer. It is very stable / stiff and has a good righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a coastal cruiser. The fuel capacity is originally very small. There is a short water supply range.

Wauquiez 33 for sale elsewhere on the web:

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Pretorien 35

Pretorien 35 is a 35 ′ 0 ″ / 10.7 m monohull sailboat designed by Holman & Pye and built by Wauquiez between 1979 and 1987.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

From BlueWaterBoats.org :

The Pretorien 35 is a French built cruiser-racer from the drawing board of the UK firm Holman & Pye that made its introduction in 1979 and has since been quietly attaining cult status. The trademarks of this classic include huge stowage, capacious accommodations, and seaworthiness all wrapped up with a build quality that rivals that of some of the finest production boats in the world. All in all, the Pretorien 35 today is an excellent example of a go-anywhere cruiser offering excellent value for money.

Built by Chantier Henri Wauquiez in Mouvaux, France, a total of 212 boats were produced between 1970-1986. Many were exported to the United States, so exampled can be found on both sides of the Atlantic.

The boat feels distinctly British, but perhaps this is not so surprising given that Wauquiez, admired English boats and in particular the designs of Kim Holman. He had purchased his first boat in 1964, the English-built and Holman-designed Elizabethan 29, loving her sheerline and her tracking on open water. This lead to his first foray into the boating business by fitting out Elizabethans for the French market.

It was a time when the IOR rule was making a large impact on cruising designs – a high aspect ratio rig, large foresails, small mainsails, and a hull with pinched ends and a wide beam carried aft. The entry is raked while a reverse transom helps deliver a long waterline length of 30’ 4”. The fin keel draws a healthy 6 feet while her large skeg-hung rudder is mounted well aft providing great steering control. Of note is a ballast to displacement ratio of 46%, this is a stiff and powerful boat.

This era of Wauquiez boats were sometimes called French Swans, they are great looking boats with a low slung wedge deck that flows beautifully into her lines. The Pretorien 35’s popularity was no doubt aided by Hal Roth who circumnavigated in Whisper with his wife Margaret well documented in his book How to Sail Around the World .

Construction

The quality of construction of the Pretorien 35 is among the highest found on any production boat and is undoubtedly for ocean sailing. The solid fiberglass hull features six full-length stringers which longitudinally still the boat, they encapsulate the bulkheads which themselves are tabbed into the hull with 18 oz cloth, used for better resin saturation. The overall fiberglass work is very tidy but note that she was built in the days before vinylester resins were used, so osmotic blistering is commonly found below the waterline. This is just cosmetic so unless you’re planning to keep one for a long time, it’s not usually worth repairing.

The deck is balsa cored, with solid fiberglass in regions where through deck fittings were mounted. The deck joint, on an inward flange, is both through-bolted and glassed over. The external ballast keel is mounted on a deep keel stub with 3/4″ stainless-steel bolts.

Helped by her beamy sections, the Pretorien’s interior feels very spacious and compares well to those found in more modern boats. The layout is no nonsense, with a roomy v-berth forward, followed by a head and hanging locker section. The saloon is large with two settees either side of the dinette. Further aft is a spacious galley to starboard with double sinks close to the boat’s centerline, but some will find their depth a tad shallow when the yacht is well healed. Opposite the galley on port is a nav station. There’s a small separate stateroom to the aft on port side which features a smallish double berth. A great deal of storage is found throughout the boat and the joiner work is excellent. Ventilation on the other hand has been found lacking and some owners have installed extra ports and cabin fans.

She’s well balanced and easy to steer. In wind speeds of less than eight knots she’s definitely sluggish. She starts to shine in moderate breezes and when the wind really picks up, her capability to hold onto sail when other boats reef, helps her sail like a much larger yacht. Owners report the boat possesses enough tracking stability to fly spinnakers in high winds without any tendancy to broach which was common for boats of IOR design. Beating to windward you can count on sailing relatively narrow angles of 40 degrees or better.

Hal Roth documents the Pretorien 35’s ability to log 150+ mile days offshore – that’s a very fair number for any cruising sailboat. Through the years she has garnered a reputation for being stable, dry and seakindly. These are all very desirable qualities for offshore passagemaking.

Buyers Notes

Teak decks that were optional on Pretoriens were too thin and many are worn after a few rounds of refinishing, exposing fasteners and flaking caulk. Typically redecking is a large and expensive job, so either look for ones without teak or ones that have had this job completed.

Most Pretoriens have saildrives fitted, in these models closely inspect the drive, particularly the through-hull seal and signs of corrosion in the aluminum.

Pretoriens were built in the days of polyester resin, so keep an eye out for osmotic blistering below the waterline, particularly in earlier models. Note these are only cosmetic but will have impact on the price.

On some boats the headstay fitting installed ex-factory was supported under the deck with only washers instead of a backing plate. Check and remedy as necessary.

The original 23 hp engine found on some boats may be a bit small; the optional 28 hp engine is preferable.

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Wauquiez Pretorien 35

This well-made french cruiser has a fairly contemporary underbody and is strong enough to venture offshore. finding one is the problem..

Though out of production since 1987, this French cruiser receives high marks from owners who appreciate high quality construction, comfortable accommodations belowdecks, and a seakindly motion. It stands in stark contrast to the rounded, modern designs and flashy interiors currently produced by French manufacturers.

The Company Chantier Henri Wauquiez, of Lille, France, was formed and commenced producing boats in the 1960’s, when Henry Wauquiez became so enamored with the sailing characteristics of his personal sailboat, the Holman and Pye-designed Elizabethan 29, that he received a license to produce the boat in France.

Within a year, the boat became popular in France and established the firm’s reputation as a builder of solid, fast cruising boats. In ensuing years, Wauquiez commissioned Holman-Pye to design the Victorian 28, which competed successfully in the quarter ton world championships, and several cruising sloops ranging in size from 32-47 feet, including the Pretorien 35, built between 1979 and 1986. Other designs included the Chance 37, which dominated the European production boat racing circuit from 1972-75, and the Wauquiez Hood 38, which was designed by Ted Hood. That boat was later produced in the United States as the Ted Hood Little Harbor 38 (Hood’s personal boat Robin) and the Bristol 38; American versions typically had the same underbody but different deck configurations. Others included the 33′ Gladiateur and 43′ Amphitrite.

Like many yards of this vintage, Wauquiez experienced financial difficulties tied to foreign exchange rates, national politics that affected the French economy, and competition from lower-priced competitors. The company thrived from 1965-1982, when it went into receivership. It emerged from bankruptcy in 1983 and produced 200 boats from 1982-87, many of which were sold in the US. When the dollar plummeted in 1988 the US market evaporated, and the company refocused its efforts on domestic production and sales to charter fleets in the Mediterranean.

Wauquiez brought in Olivier Prouvost as a financial partner in 1987, but the union was not a happy one. Wauquiez eventually left the company. Prouvost operated the company until 1997, when he sold it to Beneteau. With favorable foreign exchange rates again a reality, the company has made a renewed commitment to selling new boats in the United States. At this writing, Discovery Yachts of Seattle holds the only dealership in the US. The market for used Pretoriens has remained strong throughout the uncertain economic times.

Design The profile of the Pretorien 35, like most of the company’s designs, is similar to that seen in Baltic, Swan and Sweden yachts. We think the boat is stylishly traditional. The fine entry is not as radical as the current Farr designs, for example, but its flush decks and flowing sheerline present a fine shape, and the interior is brightened by light colored woods, ports and hatches.

Yacht designer Mark Mills, a specialist in the design of performance yachts, comments that, “The boat shares characteristics of many early-80’s designs when IOR design dominated the cruiser/racer market, as represented by the somewhat pinched stern section and large-foretriangle masthead rig. The external keel contains a reassuring volume of lead, and the 46% ballast ratio will produce a stiffer, more seakindly ride. Though not overly heavy, the D/L (displacement/length) ratio of 225 fits the displacement profile of a traditional cruiser perfectly and promises significant interior volume. It is a well-built, solid cruiser with undemanding ways.”

Construction Wauquiez constructs solid fiberglass hulls, laid up by hand, that consist of several layers of bi-directional fiberglass. Six longitudinal stiffeners that run the entire length of the boat are glassed in and integrated to fiberglass beams running athwartships that provide additional structural integrity. Bulkheads are bonded to the hull and deck. The bonds are reinforced by a technique not often seen on other boats: Holes are drilled in the bulkhead to allow additional fiberglass strips to run from the hull through the holes to the hull on the opposite side of the bulkhead. (Shannon is another company that uses this method.)

The Pretorien was built prior to the use of vinylester resins (proven superior to polyester for preventing blistering) for the outer laminations, and one owner reported minor blistering problems. As with any older used boat, we suggest a thorough bottom evaluation.

The modified fin keel—6,000 lbs. of lead—is fitted to a keel stub, and bolted to the hull with 3/4″ stainless bolts and two nuts on each. The rudder is attached to a skeg running aft from the keel, and mounted on a stainless steel bearing assembly. Because the rudder is well aft, and deep, it provides solid steering power in heavy seas and winds.

The deck is balsa cored, which was unusual for European boats of this vintage, except in areas where hardware is to be attached, where it is solid fiberglass. The hull/deck joint is a flanged arrangement that is glassed over and reinforced by stainless steel fasteners. The toe rail and stanchion bases are also fastened through this joint.

The engine compartment is well insulated from the sounds of the 23-hp. or 28-hp. Volvo diesels that were original equipment. One owner commented that the 23-hp. engine moves the boat at 6 knots in calm waters, but slows dramatically in wind or current, so the larger engine may be the preferred powerplant.

The boat is designed to be equipped with a saildrive, and several owners described problems with electrolysis of the aluminum underwater unit. One owner told us that his engine was improperly bonded to the ground system. Another said the AC electrical system was bonded to the ground. Any such installation should be examined thoroughly to avoid potential problems. Many owners change the zinc at six-month intervals, or have divers inspect the unit every 90 days.

Some boats were imported with a conventional drive shaft. However, this reportedly resulted in dramatically angled propeller shafts, which aren’t very efficient. The saildrive, by comparison, provides perfectly horizontal thrust.

We don’t like the position of the batteries, which are located beneath the port quarterberth, because they take up handy storage space and are located too far aft. However, owners told us that the additional weight to port was offset by gear stored in the starboard lazarette.

Each boat produced in the Wauquiez factory undergoes a water test prior to shipment. Boats are launched in a pond and undergo 24 hours of continuous spraying by water hoses to assure they are leakproof.

Deck Layout The cockpit measures 85″ long and 62″ wide at the narrowest point in the stern. Seats are 18″ wide and provide good leg support, but the footwell is narrow at 18″ wide.

One owner told us that the forward location of the Lewmar 46 self-tailing primary winches near the companionway prevented easy sheeting following the installation of a dodger. (This is a commonproblem when a dodger is added.) He moved the winches aft 12″. This also made them more accessible from the steering station

Boats were equipped with wheel steering and a destroyer-style wheel and pedestal with room for a basic instrument package—wind speed, boat speed and depth.

The top of the rudder post is located atop the stern coaming, which facilitates easy attachment of an emergency tiller, which is secured to the hull in a lazarette.

Lazarettes, which are all vented to prevent odors and mildew, are to starboard and in the aft end of the cockpit. The three lazarettes to starboard can be combined to create a space large enough for a life raft. One section is separated by a partial bulkhead that one owner extended vertically to provide a mounting area for a heater. Interestingly, the lazarettes all have the same fine surfaces as the rest of the boat, and have been coated with an epoxy-like material.

The propane tank is in the aft compartment and should be carefully inspected, because boats came from the factory with copper tubing that should be replaced with USCG-approved hoses. Access to the steering quadrant, a beefy stainless steel unit, is via the aft compartment. The fuel tank is below the pedestal.

Wide decks allow easy movement forward, and double lifelines with gates on both sides of the boat are standard equipment. However, the coachroof is so low that it’s a stretch to reach handrails. On the boat we examined, we were impressed that the stainless steel stanchions and other fittings, some more than 13 years old, showed no sign of rust.

Standard equipment included Lewmar 8, 16, and 24 two-speed winches on the mast for the main, jib and spinnaker halyards, and reefing lines. All of the running rigging is inside the mast and booms. Standing rigging includes four pair of shrouds to support the double-spreader mast, a baby stay, and running backstays. One owner said he needed the baby stay to keep the mast from pumping in a breeze.

The anchor locker at the bow is adequate for the storage of 25′ of 5/8″ chain and 500′ of nylon rode. Most boats are equipped with 30- to 35-lb. anchors. Two owners extended the cheeks on the bow roller to prevent their plow anchors from banging against the hull.

Belowdecks Everyone with whom we spoke commented favorably on the boat’s space, quality joinery and finish, and light belowdecks. After inspecting the boat, we agree.

The boat has 6′ 3″ of standing headroom in the saloon, and 6′ 2″ in the forepeak.

All of the wooden surfaces are cherry, which is lighter to the eye than teak or mahogany. With three windows on each side of the cabin, and a 24″ hatch amidships, the space was well-lit on the gray, midwinter morning we did our inspection. Two East Coast owners commented on the need for additional fresh air ventilation and improved circulation. They installed electric fans.

The overhead liner provides an air gap. Wooden covers screwed into the overhead allow access to wiring runs. One owner commented that these covers may need occasional re-fastening because they are prone to dislodging.

As with most aft-cockpit boats, the engine is mounted below the companionway steps, and is easily accessible from the front. Additional access to starboard is via the starboard lazarette, or through a small opening in the port stateroom.

The aft stateroom, which has a hard door, has a wood ceiling and is ventilated by a portlight in the cockpit footwell. A double berth measuring 76″ x 50″ provides space for two average-sized adults. There is a hanging locker, which in some boats also is equipped with a small sink. The space may prove cozy for two adults on an extended passage, but will certainly meet the needs of most casual cruisers, especially those traveling with children.

The nav station is to port, opposite the galley, and the subject of one owner complaint. The table is about 42″ wide and 26″ deep with a shallow storage area, a bit smallish for plotting tools on full-sized charts. There are two shelves for logs and books, and room for instruments on the station’s bulkhead. Finding room for a large CRT or LCD monitor without reorganizing the space would be challenging. There is additional storage below the nav seat and in drawers below the chart table.

Opposite the nav station is the galley, which, like the nav station, comes under criticism for its lack of handholds. The entire space belowdecks is wide open and the only handholds are rails mounted on the overhead. Movement fore and aft might be a bit dicey in rough weather.

The galley is U-shaped, 56″ deep by 46″ wide, the counter of which is accented by ceramic tiles, a Wauquiez trademark. It is equipped with a double stainless steel sink, a gimbaled two burner stove, a 20″ deep dry locker and ice box.

For a 35-footer, the galley has excellent stowage. The area below the sink is large enough for two waste baskets plus cleaning supplies. There’s a plastic tray below the stove that is adequate for some cookery as well as enclosed stowage for dishware behind the stove. A fourth compartment is below the icebox. The icebox measures 43″ by 11″ and is 33″ deep. Insulation is just 2″-3″ thick and may suffer from its close proximity to the engine compartment. One owner covers stores with a thermostatic pad to reduce melting and another removed the box and replaced it with a more substantially insulated smaller unit.

One of the most interesting touches is an opening in the bulkhead behind the icebox that leads to the starboard lazarette. Designed as additional space for foul weather gear, the space has a fresh air vent, or could be warmed by engine heat. This seems a good idea, though the down side is that the gear must be dragged across the icebox.

The saloon has two comfortable places to relax, eat, or sleep. The starboard settee is U-Shaped and houses a double leaf table that provides seating for four to six adults. Additional seating to port is on a second settee 60″ long, which incorporates a 16″ footwell under the nav station for sleeping. The cushion is 25″ wide at its narrowest point and is equipped with a lee cloth.

Several owners complained that the dining table intrudes into the fore and aft passageway, and extends over the settee cushions, requiring some acrobatics to reach the outboard seats. One went so far as to replace the original table with a narrower table. The starboard settee converts to a double berth 78″ long and 48″ wide. There is stowage behind the settees.

Two 33-gallon water tanks are beneath the settees, a plus that puts weight low and amidships.

Both sides of the hull are lined with shelving and stowage areas, one with a wine locker with a wicker door.

The head is to starboard, with doors to both the saloon and forward stateroom. It has hot and cold pressure water faucets, a built-in handheld shower head and Par toilet, all in a compartment marginally large enough for one adult. Stowage is in a large, two door medicine cabinet, and below the sink in an area filled with pipes, hoses and seacocks.

Forward of the saloon is a hanging locker to port and the master stateroom enclosed by a solid wood door. The V-berth, which is 81″ wide and 80″ long, takes up most of the space, though there are shelves and reading lights are on both sides. A hatch provides fresh air ventilation. Overnight cruisers described the space as being comfortable.

Wiring and Plumbing Except for the exceptions noted above, we like the mechanical systems on this boat. We did, however, find a wiring run in a loom cut through a bulkhead hole that had chafed. We were impressed with the finish of all hidden spaces.

All hoses were double clamped, and bronze seacocks and manifolds are used on all through-hulls.

Performance In an attempt to determine the sailing characteristics, we talked with several present and former owners of Pretorien 35’s and were surprised that their comments fell within a very narrow range. Depending on the sail inventory, the boat needs 6-8 knots of breeze to sail quickly. This is not surprising considering its 15.6 sail area/displacement ratio.

One racer told us that his inventory included only a 135% genoa and that in less than 10-12 knots of wind, performance was dismal. A second owner who participates in Wednesday night fleet racing said that the boat sails to its handicap with 8 knots of breeze and a 150% genoa. In all cases, sailors were using traditional Dacron fabrics; we’d bet that light air performance could be enhanced by lighter, finely tuned laminate sails.

On the other hand, skippers said the boat is dry going to weather in 30 knots of wind. All agreed that the boat points higher than similar 35-foot cruisers. One racer said he sails to within 40° of true wind direction.

Sam Stitt, who cruises his boat in the Northwest, said that the boat is easily balanced on all points of sail, but mentioned that an Autohelm 4000 was inadequate for sailing wing and wing in more than 20 knots of wind because of its slow response time. He purchased the Pretorien after considering a J-36 and Express 37, primarily because it is fast enough for his needs, and more comfortable.

“The boat steers better, with less effort, and more predictably, than any comparably sized boat I have driven. I think that this is one of its most important features, beyond all of the obvious quality and finish attributes,” Stitt said.

A similar sentiment was expressed by Fred Hess, who raced his boat in the single-handed TransPac in 1996. He replaced the Autohelm with a sturdier Alpha autopilot, which he said responded more quickly.

During his 2,000 mile, 14-day passage from San Francisco to Hawaii, Hess said he spent most of his time in the cockpit sunbathing and reading cheap novels while the autopilot and Monitor windvane steered. He described the boat’s motion as ‘seakindly,’ and said that in 12- to 35-knot winds the boat was a sleigh. Sailing with tri-radial and asymmetrical spinnakers, he experienced neither spinouts or round downs. During a race from San Francisco to Santa Barbara, he sailed comfortably with the tri-radial in 45-knot winds.

Conclusions So, why aren’t more Wauquiez boats plying American waters?

“It’s a matter of economics,” said John Carson of Seattle, who was the leading dealer in the world during the mid-1980’s. “When the dollar plummeted, the price of the boats increased so dramatically they became unaffordable compared to American production boats, or we would still be selling them. I’d go anywhere in one of Henri Wauquiez’ boats.”

We agree with Carson’s assessment. Though BUC Used Boat Price Guide lists prices between about $65,000 and $75,000, the two we found for sale on the West Coast were asking close to $90,000, and one on the East Coast was asking $77,000. Though pricey for a used 35-footer, we think the boat has a lot to recommend it, especially if the bottom survives a careful survey, and if outfitted with new generation electronics and a good sail inventory.

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My son purchased a Wauquiez Pretorien (Desolina)in January 2022, after a long refit we sailed it from Falmouth to Southampton on the UK south coast, which will be the home port, in October 2022. The voyage was 189 nautical miles which we completed 30 hours. Strong winds from aft F5/6 with prolonged periods of F7/8. The boat gave us full confidence in testing conditions.

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• Wauquiez Gladiateur

The Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Wauquiez Gladiateur 33, a masthead sloop, was designed by Donald Pye (of Holman & Pye) and built in France by Henri Wauquiez.

Published Specification for the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33

Underwater Profile:   Fin keel & Skeg-Hung Rudder;

Hull Material:  GRP;

Length Overall:  32'10" / 10.0m;

Waterline Length:  27'3" / 8.3m;

Beam:  11'0" / 3.3m;

Draft:  6'0" / 1.8m;

Rig Type:  Masthead sloop;

Displacement:  11,000lb / 4,990kg;

Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:  17;

Displacement/Length Ratio:  243;

Designer:  Donald Pye (Holman & Pye);

Builder:  Henri Wauquiez (France);

Year First Built:  1977;

Year Last Built:  1986; 

Number Built:  299;

Published Design Ratios for the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33

• A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of 16.8 suggests that, in the right conditions, the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 will approach her maximum hull speed readily and satisfy the sailing performance expectations of most cruising sailors.
• A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 43.7 means that the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 will stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.
• A Displacement/Length Ratio of 243 , tells us the Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 is a moderate displacement cruiser, which means she'll carry all your cruising gear without it having a dramatic effect on her performance. Most of today's sailboats intended for offshore cruising fall into this displacement category.
• Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 24.1 suggests that crew comfort of a Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness. 
• The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 2.0 indicates that a Wauquiez Gladiateur 33 would not be the wisest choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making owing to the lower resistance to capsize in strong winds and heavy seas that is associated with similar sailboats that have a CSF of 2.0 and above.

Design Ratios: Notes of Caution...

• The Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/D): This ratio provides an estimate of the sail power relative to the boat's weight, which can indicate potential speed in various wind conditions.  But i t doesn't account for the efficiency of the sail plan, the rigging, or the skill of the crew. Real-world performance can vary significantly based on these factors.
• The Ballast/Displacement Ratio (B/D): This ratio gives an idea of the boat's stability and stiffness, which is crucial for handling and safety.  But  it doesn't consider the distribution of the ballast or the hull shape, both of which can greatly affect stability. A high B/D ratio alone doesn't guarantee a stable boat if the ballast is poorly distributed.
• The Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L): This ratio helps predict the boat's speed potential and its behaviour in different sea conditions.  But  it doesn't account for the hull design or the boat's overall weight distribution. Two boats with the same D/L ratio can perform very differently if their hull shapes are different.
• The Comfort Ratio (CR): This ratio estimates the boat's motion comfort in a seaway, which is important for long passages.  But  it doesn't consider the boat's interior layout, which can also affect comfort. Additionally, personal tolerance to motion varies, so a boat that is comfortable for one person might not be for another.
• The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF): This formula assesses the likelihood of a boat capsizing in heavy seas, which is critical for offshore safety.  But  it doesn't take into account the boat's handling characteristics or the skill of the crew. A boat with a low CSF can still capsize if poorly handled in severe conditions.

General Limitations

• Static Nature: These ratios are static measurements and don't account for dynamic factors like wave action, wind gusts, or crew actions.
• Simplification: They simplify complex interactions into single numbers, which can be misleading. Real-world performance is influenced by a multitude of factors that these ratios can't fully capture.
• Context: The context in which the boat is used (e.g., coastal cruising vs. offshore racing) can greatly affect how these ratios should be interpreted.

In summary, while these ratios provide valuable insights into the theoretical performance characteristics of a sailboat, they should be used as part of a broader assessment that includes practical experience, sea trials, and expert advice.

The above text was drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; we believe it to be accurate to the best of our knowledge.

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Mike Lynch and daughter among six missing after yacht sinks: Everything we know so far about disaster off Sicily coast

One person is confirmed to have died after the British-flagged luxury vessel named Bayesian sank, with 22 people on board. Sky News looks at what we know about the tragedy.

News reporter @samuelosborne93

Tuesday 20 August 2024 02:42, UK

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British tech billionaire Mike Lynch and his daughter are among six people missing after a superyacht sank in a storm off the coast of Sicily - with one person confirmed to have died.

Twenty-two people were on board the vessel, with 15 rescued - including Britons Charlotte Golunski, 35, and her one-year-old daughter Sofia.

Four other Britons and two Americans remain missing, including Mr Lynch and his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, according to Italian media. The entrepreneur's wife was rescued.

Here's everything we know about the sinking of the luxury vessel so far.

Follow live: People missing after superyacht sinks

What might have caused the sinking?

The British-flagged luxury vessel, named Bayesian, capsized at around 4.30am local time off Palermo, according to ship-tracking site Marine Traffic.

It sank with 22 people on board consisting of 12 passengers and a crew of 10, according to the Italian coastguard.

Waterspouts, essentially tornados which form over water, were seen as powerful winds battered the area overnight, local media said.

What are waterspouts?

Waterspouts typically occur during thunderstorms and can develop very rapidly, within minutes.

Their spin generally reaches wind speeds between 75-200mph, but can reach as high as 300mph.

They can travel at around 10-20mph typically but can reach greater speeds on occasions, making them difficult to avoid - especially in something as slow-moving as a yacht.

Matthew Schanck, chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, called the reports of a tornado or waterspout "rare" and "quite alarming".

"The vessel was at anchor in a recognised anchorage," Mr Schanck said.

"Depending on wind direction and the state of the sea, this informs the captain whether it is a safe area to anchor or not. There was nothing that was too concerning, for my eye. All in all, the captain used the information they had to make a safe call."

Who owns the yacht?

British tech tycoon Mike Lynch is among those missing.

The 59-year-old owner of the yacht is known as the "British Bill Gates" and has been in the headlines in recent months over a high-profile fraud case.

Read more: ​​​​​​​Lynch's co-defendant dies after being hit by car days before yacht sinking

In June, a US jury cleared him of all charges , which were related to the sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2011.

HP accused him of deliberately overstating the value of the company before it was acquired by the American technology firm.

Mr Lynch was extradited to the US to face trial in May last year and spent 13 months under house arrest in San Francisco as he awaited trial on 17 charges of conspiracy and wire fraud brought by the US Department of Justice - which were later reduced to 15 charges.

He always denied any wrongdoing and was acquitted.

Mr Lynch's wife Angela Bacares is confirmed to be among those rescued.

Who was on board when the boat sank?

The vessel had passengers from Britain, America and Canada, the Italian coastguard said.

Most of those on board the yacht were British, Italian news outlets have reported, claiming the other people were from New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Ireland and British-French citizens.

Charlotte Golunski was among the Britons rescued. Her LinkedIn profile says she is a partner at Mr Lynch's firm Invoke Capital and has worked there since 2012.

Speaking after the ordeal, Ms Golunski told Italian media that she lost her daughter Sofia for "two seconds" amid the "fury" of the sea but was able to retrieve her.

She said she held the infant above the waves until the lifeboat was ready.

"Many people screamed. Luckily the lifeboat inflated and 11 of us were able to get on board," she told ANSA.

The girl's father James Emsley also survived, according to Sicily's civil protection agency.

Before working at Invoke Capital, Ms Golunski worked at Hewlett Packard for 11 months and studied history at the University of Oxford.

Eight of those rescued were transferred to local hospitals and all were in stable condition, local media reported.

During rescue efforts, divers saw "corpses through the portholes" of the wreck as they recovered the body of a man at a depth of 50m (164ft), according to Salvo Cocina, the head of the Civil Protection of Sicily.

Considering the size of the vessel, authorities would have been alerted about the emergency quickly, Mr Schanck said.

He said the time of the incident would have made the search and rescue operation difficult.

"Visibility [would have been hampered] with it being night time or early morning," he said. "Given the fact most people on board would have been asleep down below, the ability for them to get out to safety could have been challenging, especially if the incident unfolded quickly."

What do we know about the vessel?

The Bayesian was known for its unusual 75m (246ft) single mast - one of the world's tallest made of aluminium.

The yacht's name resonates with Mr Lynch because the software that made his fortune was based on a statistical method known as Bayesian inference - based on an 18th century theory, that helps forecasters predict outcomes more reliably.

The yacht was built by Italian company Perini Navi in 2008 and was last refitted in 2020.

It was listed for rent for up to €195,000 (£166,000) a week, according to online charter sites.

The luxury vessel, which was managed by yachting company Camper & Nicholsons, can accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites.

It won a string of awards for its design, according to online specialist yacht sites.

Mr Schanck said the vessel would have been equipped with "high standard" life-saving appliances and radio communications. He added the yacht would have met all international standards and UK maritime coastguard agency regulations before its voyage.

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

The boat left the Sicilian port of Milazzo on 14 August and was last tracked east of Palermo on Sunday evening, with a navigation status of "at anchor", according to vessel tracking site VesselFinder.

The Bayesian previously travelled to other parts of Sicily before its last sighting off the coast of the port of Porticello.

On Sunday, the boat was seen off the coast of Cefalu before it travelled towards Porticello, MarineTraffic data shows.

In the days before, the yacht travelled around four of the Aeolian islands, just north of Sicily.

It was previously named Salute, or "health" in Italian, when it flew under a Dutch flag. Its minimalist interior featured light wood with Japanese accents designed by the French designer Remi Tessier, according to descriptions on charter sites.

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Prosecutors in the nearby town of Termini Imerese have opened an investigation into the sinking.

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