wildmail
Member
We are currently looking at a Wauquiez 59 (1990) for ocean crossing purposes. Any comments on this make considering the purpose?
Wauquiez reflections
- Thread starter wildmail
- Start date
Heigaro
Well-Known Member
Wot?!!? Us?? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Bajansailor
Well-Known Member
Is this the one for sale on yachtworld for US$ 600k?
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1660669/0
Me thinks she might be a bit small and basic for ocean crossing purposes - but if you are prepared to adapt, I am sure you will cope......... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/1660669/0
Me thinks she might be a bit small and basic for ocean crossing purposes - but if you are prepared to adapt, I am sure you will cope......... /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
steve_cronin
N/A
We have a Centurion 45 next to us in Gouvia
Which the owner has left unattended for the winter - but that's incidental.
It looks like a well constructed vessel although some of the deck fittings are a little "under spec'ed".
It has a split backstay with seperate rack & pinion tensioners for each side which I find quirky as surely if you're going to all that trouble, running backstays mightn't surely bre a better idea?
The wheel is over-large (IMO) for a yacht of it's size and hydraulic self steering is thereby made the only practical option.
My main criticism of this particular model is the total lack of any ventilation below coachroof level which although perhaps a positive safety feature on a pond crossing, will make the boat unbearable once you get to the Carribean.
Steve cronin
Which the owner has left unattended for the winter - but that's incidental.
It looks like a well constructed vessel although some of the deck fittings are a little "under spec'ed".
It has a split backstay with seperate rack & pinion tensioners for each side which I find quirky as surely if you're going to all that trouble, running backstays mightn't surely bre a better idea?
The wheel is over-large (IMO) for a yacht of it's size and hydraulic self steering is thereby made the only practical option.
My main criticism of this particular model is the total lack of any ventilation below coachroof level which although perhaps a positive safety feature on a pond crossing, will make the boat unbearable once you get to the Carribean.
Steve cronin
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
They have a great reputation in France. They were later taken over by Beneteau to be their luxury brand.
John
John
Birdseye
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
They have a great reputation in France. They were later taken over by Beneteau to be their luxury brand.
John
[/ QUOTE ]
Didnt realise that! I had looked at the 40 footer and thought "that looks good value for a quality boat" because I thought they still were independant rather than a mass market brand name.
Bit like Jaguar cars.
The boat market really is polarising into some horrendousl;y expensive quality makes at one end, and the cheap and cheerful mass producers at the other. Where are the mid quality mid price Moody / Westerly makers these days?
They have a great reputation in France. They were later taken over by Beneteau to be their luxury brand.
John
[/ QUOTE ]
Didnt realise that! I had looked at the 40 footer and thought "that looks good value for a quality boat" because I thought they still were independant rather than a mass market brand name.
Bit like Jaguar cars.
The boat market really is polarising into some horrendousl;y expensive quality makes at one end, and the cheap and cheerful mass producers at the other. Where are the mid quality mid price Moody / Westerly makers these days?
Sybarite
Well-Known Member
There is the implication that Beneteau are reducing the quality of Wauqiez boats because they are mass builders. I don't accept this argument because, first I think Beneteaus are very well built. I don't like them but that's another matter. You don't get to be the world's N° 1 by building rubbish. What it does enable them to do is to use sophisticated assembly techniques and bring new models to market more quickly. Wauquiez boats are still being built in the same factories by the same people. However they will now benefit from centralised buying and design facilities and other such economies of scale.
John
John
Aja
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Where are the mid quality mid price Moody / Westerly makers these days?
[/ QUOTE ]
Moody now lives on in the Hanse range.......now that'll be an interesting story.
/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Donald
Where are the mid quality mid price Moody / Westerly makers these days?
[/ QUOTE ]
Moody now lives on in the Hanse range.......now that'll be an interesting story.
/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Donald
jamesjermain
Well-Known Member
I don't know this particular model but in general Wauquiez builds high quality boats intended for serious cruising. A 1990 model will be pre-Beneteau, not that that need matter because Wauquiez retain their own management, building facilities, quality control etc. I would be very happy to include a boat from this yard in any short list of mine.
If I have a critisism of the current range it is that, yes they are built to high standards and look the part for blue water cruising, but some of the detail is not quite right. But this is small beer in a big brewery.
If I have a critisism of the current range it is that, yes they are built to high standards and look the part for blue water cruising, but some of the detail is not quite right. But this is small beer in a big brewery.
Sea Devil
Well-Known Member
I have been looking at some larger Wauquiez as well recently... Only thing that puts me off is the hung rudder.. I am convinced that for ocean sailing the rudder should be attached to a skeg or the keel... Not many - any on the keel these days but a skeg is available on a Amel... Also a very high quality French boat and in my opinion a better boat for long distance cruising.
The majority of yachts abandoned in the ARC are because of steering failure/problems I think. I really do not think a rudder hanging down with nothing to help support it or protect it from floating debris is a safe bet for a blue water boat... far too vulnerable...
Michael
The majority of yachts abandoned in the ARC are because of steering failure/problems I think. I really do not think a rudder hanging down with nothing to help support it or protect it from floating debris is a safe bet for a blue water boat... far too vulnerable...
Michael
Metabarca
Well-Known Member
Well, I have a little Wauquiez, the Centurion 32 of 1974 vintage, and it's extremely robust and generally over-spec'ed. No hint of osmosis, no cracks, no flexing. And I luv 'er!
steve_cronin
N/A
I use it as a mooring barge but....
..I never see the owner so I'll have to ask here.
Is that Vaw-key-eth or Vac - e- ez or is it something not at all related to how it's spelt?
Steve Cronin
..I never see the owner so I'll have to ask here.
Is that Vaw-key-eth or Vac - e- ez or is it something not at all related to how it's spelt?
Steve Cronin
M
MarkG
Guest
Re: I use it as a mooring barge but....
[ QUOTE ]
..I never see the owner so I'll have to ask here.
Is that Vaw-key-eth or Vac - e- ez or is it something not at all related to how it's spelt?
Steve Cronin
[/ QUOTE ]
I always pronounce it as War-Keys, but probably wrong....
[ QUOTE ]
..I never see the owner so I'll have to ask here.
Is that Vaw-key-eth or Vac - e- ez or is it something not at all related to how it's spelt?
Steve Cronin
[/ QUOTE ]
I always pronounce it as War-Keys, but probably wrong....
StugeronSteve
Well-Known Member
Re: I use it as a mooring barge but....
Here in the Upper Chamber we tend to pronounce it: Wack keys, which is probably also wrong.
Here in the Upper Chamber we tend to pronounce it: Wack keys, which is probably also wrong.
jamesjermain
Well-Known Member
Re: I use it as a mooring barge but....
Vo key ay - promise
Vo key ay - promise
M
MarkG
Guest
Re: I use it as a mooring barge but....
[ QUOTE ]
Vo key ay - promise
[/ QUOTE ]
James, you have me worried now, I have a Jeanneau and pronounce it:
shar- no could that be wrong too?
[ QUOTE ]
Vo key ay - promise
[/ QUOTE ]
James, you have me worried now, I have a Jeanneau and pronounce it:
shar- no could that be wrong too?
steve_cronin
N/A
Thanks JJ nm
.
.
shamrock
Well-Known Member
We chartered a Wauquiez Centurion 41 from Antigua for our honeymoon - took it to Barbuda, Statia, St Kitts, Nevis and back. A really nice boat, felt solid and safe but with good performance - we felt it was a much better choice than the Jen/Ben boats on offer in that area.
For bluewater I'm in favour of long keel or fin/skeg but that is a personal choice and whilst I wouldn't choose the Wauq for long distance cruising, many do and it certainly seems better than many of the other fin/spade production boats.
Re the original post - thats a lot of money for a lot of boat, a 60 foot centurion is going to be huge and have huge bills to match. That's obvious, so if the poster knows what he's getting into at that size range, fine, otherwise I'll repeat what so many others have said - don't buy a 'cheap' big boat because there's no such thing.
Nick
For bluewater I'm in favour of long keel or fin/skeg but that is a personal choice and whilst I wouldn't choose the Wauq for long distance cruising, many do and it certainly seems better than many of the other fin/spade production boats.
Re the original post - thats a lot of money for a lot of boat, a 60 foot centurion is going to be huge and have huge bills to match. That's obvious, so if the poster knows what he's getting into at that size range, fine, otherwise I'll repeat what so many others have said - don't buy a 'cheap' big boat because there's no such thing.
Nick
