Her keel is fitted with an hydraulic lifting system, giving the yacht a depth of 2.30 m and 3.90 m, respectively. Bougainville is being built to the MCA code for sailing yachts up to 24 m and will be CE-A certified.
The brief from Bougainville’s owner required us to create a yacht that will perform equally well as a cruiser and a racer. Weight plays a crucial role therefore hence the choice for an aluminium hull and composite deck and superstructure. In addition, the interior is built of foam /sandwich panels to further reduce weight. And the Claasen craftsmen individually weigh every single item that is installed onboard.
Sleek and modern
Berret Racoupeau Yacht Design is responsible for both the naval architecture and the exterior profile of this performance cruiser. Impressive features of the exterior include the sleek, modern lines and the large windows in the superstructure, which bathe the spacious interior with light. The reverse stern gives the design a sporty appearance and is equipped with a large hydraulically operated door.
When open, the latter serves as a lovely swim platform and a place from which to launch the tender, stored in the lazarette. The door itself is made from composite material in order to reduce weight and is watertight when closed thanks to its inflatable seal. Bougainville’s cockpit is furnished with a large Bimini that offers welcome shade when sailing in sunnier climates. This Bimini can easily be stored completely out of sight in the yacht’s superstructure.
Bougainville is rigged with a carbon mast from Southern Spars, which is incredibly strong despite its low weight. The main sail has a surface area of 132 m2 and features slab reefing with reef locks. Bougainville also carries carbon EC6 carbons stays: Offering the ideal combination of strength, stiffness and elasticity, this is the ideal rig for a yacht of this calibre. The lines and the other running rigging can all be controlled from the two steering stations in the cockpit. The winches are hydraulically driven.
A superyacht interior
The interior of Bougainville has been created by Rhoades Young Design, which has achieved global fame for its work with other leading yards such as Royal Huisman and Vitters. Superyacht influences are immediately visible where the large windows and exquisite materials create the allure of a much larger vessel, and meet the standards you would expect from a Claasen yacht. The entire interior is finished in French walnut with a subtle maple edging.
The layout sees an owner’s suite and two guest cabins located forward, each with their own shower and toilet. Amidships is the voluminous saloon, dinette and navigation corner. The galley is located aft, along with a two-person crew cabin and toilet.