Jean-Pierre Dick's radical fast cruiser

IMOCA skipper introduces Verdier 54 footer with rotating interior

French sailor, Jean-Pierre Dick, has conceived a new top-of-the-range fast cruising yacht. Designed by Guillaume Verdier with the interior by Stéphanie Marin, the first JP54 has just been launched in Auckland, New Zealand and will be in France by this summer. Produced in a limited series by Absolute Dreamer, the JP54 takes its inspiration from high performance racing boats.

"I imagined the cruising yacht of my dreams during my last two Vendée Globe races," admits Dick. "I wanted to sail offshore and at the same time enjoy stopovers. I therefore conceived the JP54, a uniquely designed light and fast yacht, to retain the pleasure of surfing at 20 knots more comfortably than on my racing yacht. With the JP54, you can share the sensations and the pleasures of sailing with your family and friends."

In order to optimise the performance of the JP54 and to create a new indoor living space, the boat has a 'satellite'; a rotating carousel, as featured on Dick's previous IMOCA 60 Paprec-Virbac 2 (see video evidence of this here). **. The satellite is a galley-chart table unit into which all the systems such as the batteries, hydraulics and storage are fitted. The loaded weight (600 kg) can be transferred windward in a few seconds just by pressing a button. It is the first time this concept has been put into use on a cruising yacht. The gain is important both in terms of performance and comfort on board. The sailors are always windward when at the chart table or cooking, while the guests enjoy a large space to leeward.

This distribution of the interior space takes on a new approach: priority is given to space. The carousel redefines the space and changes the interior on each tack. The impression of space is reinforced by forward cabins opening onto the saloon-carousel and by the spacious shower and toilet. You can sail with a limited crew or with the family on the JP54, in a comfortable, spacious and luminous space, thanks to the large seats positioned all along the hull. The two aft cabins are each equipped with a large bunk where you can lie down and listen to music thanks to the integrated music system. A large number of storage spaces are provided under the curved seating.

"Through the experience of single-handed sailing, I have been able to design a boat that is really simple to use," Dick continues. "The hydraulic winches remove the physical side to manoeuvring. In 10 minutes, all the sails are hoisted! The cockpit is uncluttered making movement easy on deck and allowing you to enjoy the sunbaths comfortably. The whole of the pit is brought back to starboard on an electric winch. There is no mainsheet rail. The JP54 can easily be manoeuvred double-handed in all circumstances."

Vital statistics: