Which Galley Layout Is Right for Your Windelo 50 to 55: U-Shaped or L-Shaped?

Every yacht design is a delicate balance between speed, comfort, space, style, and seaworthiness. What makes the Windelo range so distinctive is its ability to bring these qualities together in a way that feels both high-performing and deeply liveable. On board a Windelo from 50 to 63 feet, performance sailing does not come at the expense of comfort — it opens the door to a new way of living at sea.

When a catamaran offers this much interior volume, the question is no longer simply how fast you want to sail, but how you want to live on board. The layout you choose will shape everyday life: how you cook, how you move through the space, how you share moments with family and friends, and how connected you remain to the sea while underway.

To better understand how these two layouts perform in real life, we asked two Windelo owners to share their experience. Manon and Robert own B Cube, a Windelo 54 Adventure with a U-shaped galley, while Jean-Paul owns Vagabond, a Windelo 50 Yachting with an L-shaped galley. Both have already sailed many thousands of miles on board, making them ideally placed to talk about how each layout works at sea.

Jean-Paul and the L-shaped Galley

Jean-Paul, owner of a Windelo 50 Yachting, shares his experience:

“Choosing the L-shaped galley turned out to be one of the best decisions I made for my Windelo 50 Yachting. From the moment I stepped aboard, I appreciated how neatly it fits the saloon’s reduced footprint, giving me clear walkways and a surprisingly spacious feel. Nine months in, I’ve found the counter and cupboard space more than sufficient — especially with the fridge cleverly tucked under the starboard stairs — and presence of the stairs has never been an issue, even in choppy seas.

“What I love most is the seamless connection to the cockpit: with the starboard window open, the galley transforms into an indoor-outdoor entertaining hub. I can prepare meals, chat with guests, and still keep an eye on the chart plotter and the view ahead right from the dining table. Plus, having seating on both port and starboard sides makes the saloon a truly social space. For me, it’s the perfect blend of functionality, comfort, and conviviality.”

There is no universal answer — only the layout that best suits the way you sail and live on board.

As Manon puts it: “Your Windelo catamaran is going to be your home and companion on a round-the-world trip for many years to come, so it deserves careful thought. And with Windelo, you actually have a choice.”

Take the time to define your own priorities — what matters most to you, what kind of life you imagine on board, and how you want to move through the space day after day. The right layout often becomes obvious once those priorities are clear.

To help guide your decision, ask yourself a few simple questions:

• Are you a passionate cook, or do you prefer simple everyday meals?
• Do you value countertop space more than open circulation?
• Will you mostly sail as a couple, with family, or with a larger crew?
• Do you need maximum storage for long passages and provisioning?
• Do you prefer a dedicated cooking zone or a more open, social layout?

Beyond the choice of galley, the Windelo nacelle is designed as a truly flexible living space — one that adapts to the rhythm of life on board, from quiet mornings at anchor to long days under sail – an enclosed loft or an outdoor terrace.

Whichever layout you choose, the dining area combines comfort and practicality. Three ottomans create extra seating around the table while also adding valuable storage. In the Yachting version, each one can hold up to 10 bottles of water, but they are just as useful for storing breakfast essentials, children’s snacks, aperitif supplies, or dry goods for longer passages. Tucked neatly under the table, they help keep the floor clear and circulation fluid.

The portside bench adds yet another generous storage area, with up to [XXX L] over 2.5 m in length and 60 cm in width — a discreet but highly practical volume for everyday life on board.

More than an interior, the nacelle is a space designed to live with the seasons. Thanks to the large side, aft, and forward openings, it can be opened almost completely to create a bright, airy XXL living space — like a terrace on the water. Closed, it becomes a protected, cosy retreat from wind, spray, or cooler weather. Open, it welcomes light, fresh air, and an effortless connection with the sea, both underway and at anchor.

Carefully chosen materials complete the experience: Silestone worktops, and recessed LED lighting bring warmth, elegance, and durability to a space where design and everyday comfort go hand in hand.

Your Windelo catamaran is not only your home on the water, but also a living space designed for sailing. The right galley layout is the one that best reflects the way you cook, share, move, and navigate on board — whether that means preparing a family feast at anchor or race-day snacks underway.

For Jean-Paul, the L-shaped galley also brought an additional benefit: more space in the starboard aft cabin, with the possibility of a transverse bed layout. And that opens the door to the next step in the journey.

Next: discover how cabin layouts across the Windelo 50 to 55 range influence comfort, privacy, and everyday life on board in Part 2 of our “Design for Life” series.