Header visite virtuelle du new windelo 54 yachting scaled

Guided Tour Of The New Windelo 54 Yachting

Aug 2, 2024

Sam Jefferson, editor of Sailing Today, invites you aboard for a guided tour of the New Windelo 54 Yachting to discover our latest model’s new and innovative features.
Presented as a world premiere in April 2024 at the International Multihulls Show of La Grande Motte, this New Windelo 54 Yachting was elected Multihull of the Year 2024 in the IMS Premiere category. This award recognizes the first bluewater cruiser catamaran to offer environmentally friendly and performance sailing.

Eco-responsibility at the heart of the project

Since its creation, Windelo has impressed the sailing world with its innovative approach to shipbuilding, combining ecology, performance under sail, sailing pleasure, and generous living spaces.
Sam Jefferson points out: “At Windelo, eco-responsibility has been considered from the boat’s construction to her use. Like all sailors, we’re nature lovers, so it’s important for us to preserve the environment and reduce our environmental impact.

To reduce the carbon footprint of the boat’s construction by 47% during construction, the Windelo shipyard decided not to use fiberglass or carbon fiber, but to develop an eco-friendly composite made in basalt fiber (derived from volcanic rock).
In addition to the basalt fiber – which cuts energy and water requirements by almost ten compared to fiberglass – this new eco-friendly composite features a PET foam core. Sam explains the benefits: “PET foam […] is crushed plastic from recycled bottles, which considerably reduces the composite’s carbon footprint, that actually halves your carbon emission.”

The other side of sailing sustainably is sailing even in light winds. And that’s what really matters to sailors. Nonetheless, the motor remains a necessity when it’s time to leave the marina or an anchorage.

Sam explains how electric propulsion was conceived and integrated into the Windelo: “Windelo catamarans are equipped with two electric motors and a large battery bank, this means they can sail with zero carbon emission.

But how do you get that power? When the New Windelo 54 is under sail, the propellers are driven, enabling the electric motors to hydro-generate and recharge the battery bank. In addition, Zvag & Co’s Windelo 54 is equipped with a wind turbine and 4,500 W of solar panels for a comfortable production of green energy. Up to 5880 W can be installed on the deck and side decks of a New Windelo 54. This enables the batteries to be charged in approximately 17 hours of sunshine (based on the average sunshine in the Mediterranean).

You also have a diesel generator to back up that electric power that allows you to boost the range of the New Windelo 54. But as the crew can confirm, they don’t really use the diesel generator on this boat. It’s more of a safety system.”

The New Windelo 54 Yachting : a high-performance catamaran for fast cruising.

The New Windelo 54 Yachting is designed by Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman and is intended primarily for performance cruising.

“The waterlines are very fine, and the hulls flare out to give you some interior volume. The light displacement of this New Windelo 54 is 12.8 tons, but it has been designed by its architects to be loaded for bluewater cruising.”

The waterline length of the New Windelo 54 gives huge speed potential, especially when combined with a powerful sail plan: 100m² mainsail, 45m² solent, 100m² Code 0, and 190m² Gennaker. Upwind, this catamaran’s performance is very close to that of a monohull. You can easily sail at 33 degrees to the wind, which is pretty comparable to monohull performance, except that here you’re on a multihull with all the advantages we know about in terms of accommodation and living space. Windelo’s twin daggerboards have a lot to do with it and, of course, give you the grip that you need.

As Sam Jefferson explains: “With good performance under sail, especially in light winds, you won’t need to motor your boat so much. And the New Windelo 54 performs well so that all adds up to keeping you sailing and not motoring. The other advantage of a boat that performs well under sail is its ability to hydro-generate as soon as you reach 8 knots of speed. And this catamaran, with an average speed of 10 to 12 knots under sail, produces a significant amount of green energy due to hydro-generation.”

An innovative cockpit for safe, enjoyable sailing

“The New Windelo 54 has been designed as a bluewater cruising catamaran, and for that, the crew needs to feel safe, especially when you are sailing fast. Windelo has, therefore, ingeniously created a forward cockpit, right at the foot of the mast, that is comfortable and protected from the elements.

As you can see, we have got the twin wheels, and you really get the feeling of being at the top of the boat, directly connected to the bows. Here, in the center of the boat and right next to the mast, all deck maneuvers come back to the winches in this central cockpit.

If you are single-handing this boat, everything is to hand, and there’s no need to go out on deck. This is an excellent configuration. At the same time, if you’re cruising with the family, with young children, they can be just next to you while remaining protected inside the boat. The whole crew is safe and involved in the navigation without being exposed to the elements.

Beyond this safety aspect, the cockpit of the New Windelo 54 remains open to the outside, so you’re connected to the elements while protected. You can see the sails perfectly and feel the apparent wind by opening the textile openings at the front and slide back the plexiglass roof panels. It’s an indoor cockpit, but it can also be an outdoor space thanks to its modularity.”

Modular space for an ever more pleasant living environment

Sailing and life on board are not two separate experiences but one and the same adventure. Conviviality and sharing are at the very heart of Windelo catamarans’ DNA, and these values are reflected in the living space on board and comfort.

Sam Jefferson explains how Windelo developed a modular space offering comfort and luminosity: “From the cockpit, you move seamlessly into the saloon/galley area thanks to large sliding glass doors. The openings in this space are truly impressive. Thanks to its side windows, sliding glass doors at the stern, and the forward cockpit, the nacelle can be completely opened up to feel outside. Imagine you are in some South Sea anchorage; you’re really involved with nature, and it’s a great feel.” The living space is bathed in light, protected from the elements, and offers an incomparable natural airflow.

The nacelle extends into a beautiful modular terrace, allowing you to have lunch or a coffee at anchor with your feet in the water. When sailing, the space closes to secure the stern of the boat.

19-1-uai-1032x516

18-uai-1032x516

“This layout works perfectly well; there’s plenty of space and masses of light.”

Night-time areas

“The owner’s cabin extends throughout the port hull, and the amount of light that enters… is absolutely wonderful!”

Featuring a queen-size bed, a desk or vanity table, a dressing room with masses of storage going forward, an XXL bathroom, and glazing almost 6 meters long, this owner’s suite is as comfortable as a hotel room and nicely finished.”

Despite the slim hulls, designed for circumnavigation and fast sailing, the New Windelo 54’s floats offer an incredible feeling of space, thanks in particular to the 2-meter headroom and the size of the windows (over 3.60 meters for the aft cabin and 2.40 meters for the forward cabin).

“It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the magnificent anchorage view. A little extra for life on board, the dressing room includes a shoe rack, a nice touch. The bathroom is sumptuous and larger than in some homes. Even the shower is equipped with a seat, so you can see racing along at 20 knots and be comfortable in the shower; it’s quite surreal.”

“In the starboard hull (guest hull), again, masses of natural light, masses of space, and plenty of storage. There are two double guest cabins and a washing machine, which is really impressive for a high-performance catamaran, a very good-sized shower, and completely separate heads, which is great.”

For the forward cabins, there are numerous options, including a double bed cabin, an office cabin with two retractable beds, a cabin with bunk beds, or a workshop cabin.

New Windelo 54 evolutions!

In 2024, the superstructure of the New Windelo 54 was redesigned. We have given a new identity to our catamarans to reinforce their personality and give them an even more contemporary and racy look while maintaining our DNA and points of differentiation, which make Windelo’s current success.

Curved, racy, and dynamic surfaces capture the eye; from front to stern, the eye will follow the acceleration of the surfaces and reflections.

The major evolutions of the New Windelo 54 include the deck, rear skirts, roof, and enhanced solar production.

Now built in a single piece, the deck incorporates numerous ergonomic evolutions to facilitate life on board. Of particular note are the daggerboards’ flush integration, the water drains’ new design, and a nonskid surface, with a more attractive diamond shape texture, directly integrated into the mold for more outstanding durability and qualitative finish.

The transom platforms and the steps are more ergonomic and make it easier to access from a tender or after a swim. It’s also giving the bat a much warmer, welcoming feel from the moment you step aboard. The roof has also been redesigned and lengthened, resulting in a more comfortable work area around the mainsail, a gain in solar capacity, and more excellent style, making the boat more slender and comfortable. You can now have up to 5,880 W of solar on the New Windelo 54, offering greater green energy autonomy.

Guided tour of the New Windelo 54 Yachting : Sam Jefferson’s verdict

“They’ve found the right formula.”

“An extraordinary boat, which really corresponds to what sailors are looking for… performance, comfort and sustainability. The Windelo 54 delivers all three in a really impressive package. So now, for me, all that’s lacking is the open ocean…”