SEILmagasinet · video

What this video covers

The Wauquiez 55 is a 55-foot French cruising yacht priced from 1.6 million euros, rising to roughly 2 million euros (approximately 30 million Norwegian kroner) for a sail-ready, reasonably equipped boat.6:14 Its most distinctive feature is a 4.2-meter swing keel that retracts to reduce draft to 1.6 meters; the keel's depth leaves no room for a conventional propeller shaft, so the boat carries twin engines instead.1:06 The yard claims twin-engine fuel consumption is no higher than a single-engine setup — a claim Thomas Nilsson could not verify.1:26 The carbon mast is an extra-cost option.2:28 Displacement is 18 tonnes, and the hull's pronounced negative sheer creates exceptional below-deck volume.2:12 The aft owner's cabin opens directly onto a private stern terrace, a concept Nilsson notes borrows from Amel.3:00 Under sail in 17–18 knots of wind, the boat reached 10.1 knots and performed well on a close reach with a staysail, sailing both high and fast.4:02 The protected center cockpit, compared to a motorboat helm, kept the helmsman dry.6:37 The swing-keel mechanism occupies a housing in the saloon.6:56 Sailing performance exceeded Nilsson's expectations given the boat's bulk.0:11

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