The Futuna Explorer 54 is a powerful all-aluminum yacht designed for expeditions, charters, adventure, and living aboard. The pilot house concept provides the crew with cover from the sea and sun, as well as 360-degree panoramic views from the watch station and galley.
It’s a yacht built specifically for offshore cruising. Bernard Nivelt created the design, and Pierre Frutschi created the interior. Futuna Yachts in Bruz, France, manufactured the yacht out of aluminum.
According to those ratios, 54 has a D/L of 173 and an L/B of 3.32, making it a moderate design. The ends are short, the stern is broad, and the freeboard is high, in keeping with modern design standards. However, there is considerable rake to the stem to allow for the anchor to swing without chipping the bow paint.
Even with such a bow rake, a strong hairpin-style bowsprit allows the anchor roller to travel forward. The draught is 4 feet 1 inch with the board up and 11 feet 7 inches with the hydraulically operated centerboard down. Twin rudders reduce aft draught while retaining control.
Tacked quarter berths are shown on the port side, while a double quarter berth is represented on the starboard side. There is a pilothouse to port with a nav station and a Sailboats Galley to starboard. There is no backsplash on the galley’s forward counter, which houses the sinks.
As you descend from the pilothouse, you enter the saloon, which has a large, U-shaped dinette to port cuddled up against what I believe is part of the centerboard trunk. A modest chamber with a single berth appears to be to port.
This boat has two captains. One has a large head, but it lacks a separate shower stall. The owner’s double cabin is to the port, with lockers to the starboard. The other head is located behind the fo’c’sle.
The fo’c’sle is massive, indicating a true long-range cruiser layout. Stowage is crucial, and this volume for stowage will be more valuable than a few extra feet in each sleeping compartment throughout the course of the voyage. Aft of the cockpit is a big lazarette with large, flush deck doors.
The cockpit extends forward to take advantage of the pilothouse’s height. Cockpit seats are tucked beneath the pilothouse’s overhang. A part of the transom hinges open to create a swim step and access to an inflatable dinghy stowage bay. When inflated, the dink can be carried on the davits. The cockpit will be extremely comfortable, with deep, curved seat backs and lots of space for the helmsman to stretch out.
The Explorer 54 is a powerful all-aluminum yacht designed for expeditions, charters, adventure, and living aboard. The pilot house concept provides the crew with cover from the sea and sun, as well as 360-degree panoramic views from the watch station and galley.
The sailplan depicts a typical rig for this style of boat, with roller furlers for the genoa and staysail and a cruising asym sail carried on a furler tacked to the short bowsprit. The SA/D ratio is 20.54. Lower shrouds are ahead and aft, with in-line cap shrouds. Running backstays provide assistance to the staysail hounds.
The NACA profile swinging center board allows for infinite exploration in uncharted waters as well as beaching the boat. The ballast has been put in a “bustle” beneath the hull, resulting in a low center of gravity for a center boarder.
A sturdy Bluewater sailboat built with strong aluminum construction made from CNC panels. This yacht, unlike factory boats, does not aim to be everything to everyone. Simply put, the Explorer 54 is a well-designed offshore sailing yacht.
© OceanWave Sail. All Rights Reserved 2022
