A look aboard the new JP54- Above decks a one sided yacht!

by Richard Gladwell on 23 Mar 2010
On our walk home from the final day of the Louis Vuitton Trophy, Sail-World was invited abroad the new JP54 tied up in the Viaduct basin, having just made the delivery trip from her Tauranga builder's yard, the night before.

Based on the technology developed for high speed short handers of around 60ft in length, the JP54 is the brainchild of Jean-Pierre Dick (FRA) a renowned short handed racer, most recently of Paprec Virbac 2 and the Vendee Globe fame, and shows plenty of IMOCA Open 60 thinking, combined with a dramatic interior by Stephanie Marin.

JP's concept for the yacht was to have the speed of an Open 60, but with the cruising capability to be able to visits the many remote areas he sailed past in his circumnavigations.

Below: The JP54 shows off her lines in the Auckland evening - including twin rudders. There is large stowage area in the transom.

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Port steering position with navigation screen replicated from below. Note the lack of running lines on the port side.

The starboard steering position with the running rigging running to a powered winch.

Sails are by Norths including a 'fat-head' mainsail which is surprisingly workable for cruising and substantially enhances her performance.

Mast base with her hydraulically jacked mast, and all halyards leading to the starboard side only

The jib is self-tacking

Two roller jibs are carried, the anchor drops from a bowsprit via a quick release system. Powered winch and chain locker is to port

Jean-Pierre Dick (right) and Luc Talbourdet

Technical specifications
Hull length: 16.45 metres
Overall length: 18.235 metres
Beam: 5.3metres
Air draft: 25.10metres
Displacement: 9 tonnes
Engine: 55hp sail drive
Sail area upwind: 216sq metres
Sail area downwind: 434 metres

Designer:Guilluame Verdier
Interior designer: Stephanie Marin
Concept: Jean-Pierre Dick