Methinks the yachting set will be as keen to jump aboard the new Wauquiez. Its relaunch is akin to, say, Jaguar announcing a new XJ6, which it just has. Wauquiez's latest release, the Centurion 45S, is a new version of a well-loved fast cruiser-racer. The boats are on-paper cruiser-racers, but they proceed with a more dignified air than your average production yacht. Overseas, these yachts - especially the Centurions - have a strong identity and loyal following. Rather, it's let Wauquiez retain its favouritism among an essentially discerning European sailing set.Ī niche yachtmaker, Wauquiez offers just four yachts in two ranges: two flush-decked Centurions and two Pilot Saloons. Since his passing, Beneteau acquired Wauquiez - some six years ago - but it has not interfered with the culture of the marque. A boutique yachtbuilder, Wauquiez is named after Henri Wauquiez, who built his first yacht in 1965. Wauquiez distinguishes itself by being, well, shall we say distinguished. Who is Wauquiez and why should you spend a premium on this foreigner when there are other, better-known French yachts chasing your francs Down Under? Time just flew past, as it does when you're having fun.īut I'm getting ahead of myself. ![]() Such was the good time that we all had a turn at the helm, euphorically commenting to each other that we had no idea upon boarding the Wauquiez that we would cover so much territory. So, too, my crew - John Cowpe, sales manager for Wauquiez, who grew up sailing on the west coast of Scotland and Micah Lane, Australia's youngest National Sabot and 420 Champion, who is now sailing 18-footers and, dah-dah, French yachts. That wind hung about for the afternoon, and under blue skies I savoured this midweek Autumn sail like one might the last glass of a top-shelf red. ![]() So I promptly motored a mile or thereabouts off the coast whereupon it came in, a southerly no less, of up to 18kt and, before you could say "all hands on deck", a sea of more than a metre. To begin with, there was a light morning offshore breeze of 5-8kt and flat, unruffled water. Yep, the Opera House.ĭuring this sail, which stretched from the morning well into the afternoon, I experienced a range of wind and wave conditions. Spray licked off the bow and a straight wake gurgled astern as we belted down the harbour past this country's most identifiable sailing icon. ![]() More than a fly-by boat test, my time aboard the latest luxury yacht from French stable Wauquiez (pronounced "vokey-ay") took me out to the deep blue sea, down the coast, up the coast, and finally careering back through the Heads on a grooved beam reach.
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