Gladiator 80 set to conquer performance cruising market

by Kit Carlier 3 Feb 2023 15:16 PST

Gladiator 80 render © Kit Carlier

Exuding irresistible luxury, yet built for performance, the Gladiator 80 is poised to turn heads around the world.

With twin rudders, a lifting keel and powerful rig, the (just under) 24m cruising yacht ensures performance satisfaction. Paired with three spacious cockpits and a lavish, light weight interior, it is clear this concept collaboration from naval architects Stimson Marine Design and yacht stylists and interior design firm Kit Carlier Design, has been executed to perfection.

Comfort, stability, and safety are all hallmarks of the Gladiator 80 and this seakindly vessel can be easily managed by two to four people, and while fully crewed and powered up she will hold her own on the racetrack both inshore and offshore.

Gladiator 80 render - photo © Kit Carlier

Opulence at every opportunity

On deck guests can while away the day from two sun pads and an alfresco dining space with seating for 10, free of any sailing sheets or winches. A large sailing cockpit aft with twin helm stations (separate from the guest cockpits), provides access to all navigation equipment and sailing controls, together with a garage space suitable for a 3.5-4.0m tender.

"Below decks, we've created some striking living and sleeping spaces, which offer multiple private retreats, all maximising the natural light through large deck hatches and skylights," says Kit Carlier, Kit Carlier Design.

Spaces include a large full beam saloon with separate galley and a day head. Seven guests are accommodated across a spacious master suite and two guest suites, with an additional crew cabin for two.

Gladiator 80 render - photo © Kit Carlier

Built for performance

With a race-bred hull, keel and rig design, validated with state-of-art CFD and VPP analysis tools, in cruising mode the Gladiator 80 can reel off 240nm days in only 8kn of wind, and 300nm-350nm days in 16kn-20kn trade-winds. "In just over 10kn she's getting up to 90% of her maximum upwind speed and sailing at or over the windspeed upwind and down," says Christian Stimson, Stimson Marine Design.

The rig and sail package has been designed for smaller crew usability, with the Park Avenue boom stowing the fully-battened slab-reefing mainsail. From the 9/10ths fraction cutter rigged headstays, fly a self-tacking Solent jib and an overlapping genoa for light airs and trade-wind reaching.

Right forward, tacked on the stem head, are the asymmetrical spinnakers, which can be flown from either the masthead in light to moderate airs, or the hounds in heavy airs. When pressed under spinnakers she will run under finger-tip control, with the twin rudders staying immersed for a responsive ride.

The sail controls are designed for easy operation from the aft sailing cockpit, keeping the guests away from the high-load lines. Halyards are led aft, and the mainsheet and Solent are on push-button captive reel winches below decks, while full-sized powered winches for the genoa and spinnakers are easy to operate from the helm when sailing shorthanded.

"At just under 24m LOA, with CE Category A Ocean certification, she's as big as you can go while not crossing into the complexities of Loadline Classification or the need for a professional crew," says Stimson.

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