The French sailing yacht manufacturer Wauquiez has unveiled its first new model since 2018, the Wauquiez 55, making its water debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in July 2025. The 57.68-foot yacht represents the shipyard’s return to new product development and marks a significant evolution in the premium cruising yacht segment.
Market Context and Strategic Positioning
The new Wauquiez 55 is aimed squarely at the premium end of the cruising market and is the first new launch from the French brand since 2018. This launch comes at a time when the sailboat market is experiencing growth with a 4.3% CAGR and market size of $7.68 billion, indicating strong demand in the luxury sailing segment.
The yacht enters a competitive field where boats like the Jeanneau 55, Cruising World’s 2024 Best Overall Boat of the Year, have set high standards for innovation and performance in the 55-foot category.
Company Background and Heritage
Wauquiez was founded by Henri Wauquiez in 1964 and is located in the provincial town of Neuville en Ferrain, near the Belgium border. The French shipyard has been turning out boats since 1965, when its first model was the Elizabethan 29, with many sailors knowing Wauquiez for its Centurion models.
The company has been under the ownership of EXEL Industries since 2021, operating under their “Haute Plaisance” concept which emphasizes premium craftsmanship and finishing quality.
Design Philosophy and Key Innovations
The Wauquiez 55 was designed by Marc Lombard Yacht Design with a focus on blue water cruising capabilities. The yacht incorporates several distinctive design elements:
Distinctive Styling Features
• Reverse sheer line: Creates an unmistakable profile that sets the yacht apart from conventional designs • Continuous portholes: Running along the planking for enhanced natural light and visual appeal • Three-zone deck layout: Separate areas for navigation, relaxation, and water-level activities
Layout and Accommodation
• Full-beam owner’s suite: Positioned aft with private access to the transom area • Flexible cabin configurations: Available in 3 or 4-cabin layouts • Unprecedented space utilization: Maximizes interior volume typically found on larger yachts
Technical Specifications and Performance
| Specification | Standard Keel | Swinging Keel |
|---|---|---|
| Length Overall (LOA) | 57.68 ft | 57.68 ft |
| Length Waterline (LWL) | 49.87 ft | 49.87 ft |
| Beam | 17.22 ft | 17.22 ft |
| Draft | 7.87 ft | 5.25 ft – 13.78 ft |
| Light Displacement | 18.7 tons | 18.7 tons |
| Cruising Displacement | 23.3 tons | 23.3 tons |
| Upwind Sail Area | 1,819 sq ft | 1,819 sq ft |
Propulsion and Energy Systems
• Twin-engine setup: Choice of 2x57hp or 2x80hp Yanmar engines with saildrives • INTEGREL technology: Provides total energy autonomy whether anchored or cruising • Optional E-Drive hybrid: Enables emission-free and silent navigation • Fuel capacity options: 610L or 930L tanks • Electrical storage: Scalable from 9kWh to 30kWh capacity
Safety and Performance Features
The yacht prioritizes safety through multiple systems:
• Watertight compartments: Enhanced structural integrity and emergency protection • Raised guardrails: Improved deck safety for crew movement • Strategic liferaft positioning: Optimized for emergency access • Systems redundancy: Backup systems for critical functions
Performance metrics indicate the yacht delivers both excitement and efficiency: • Optimized sail-area-to-displacement ratio: Designed for responsive handling • Enhanced displacement-to-length ratio: Promises above-average daily cruising distances
Technology Integration
The Wauquiez 55 features modern connectivity and monitoring systems:
• GARMIN EmpirBus integration: Allows remote monitoring from both onboard and shore-based locations • Connected yacht capabilities: Real-time system status and performance data • Advanced navigation systems: Integration with modern marine electronics
Construction and Customization Options
Build Quality
• Materials: Infusion molding with foam sandwich construction • Finishing: Emphasizes the shipyard’s traditional French craftsmanship standards
Rigging Options
• Standard mast configuration • Carbon fiber mast upgrade • Furling mast system • Furling boom system
Keel Configurations
The swinging keel option represents a significant technical feature, allowing draft adjustment from 1.7m to 4.2m (5.25 ft to 13.78 ft), enabling access to shallow waters while maintaining deep-water sailing performance.
Market Analysis and Competition
The 55-foot sailing yacht segment has seen increased activity, with manufacturers focusing on innovative layouts and enhanced comfort. Competitors like the Jeanneau Yachts 55 have emphasized “a new style of sailing yacht” with focus on deck living and accessibility.
The Wauquiez 55’s positioning in the premium market segment aligns with the global yachting market’s steady growth over the past decade, driven by rising affluence and increasing popularity of yachting as a leisure activity.
Availability and Pricing
The Wauquiez 55 is available with pricing disclosed upon request, reflecting the custom nature of the premium sailing yacht market. The yacht will be available through Wauquiez’s dealer network, with the company maintaining its traditional approach of working closely with clients on customization options.
The water debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival represents a strategic marketing move, targeting the Mediterranean sailing community and international yacht buyers who attend this prestigious event.