From the Editor…
Didier Ravon, editor, Voiles et Voiliers
He dreamed about it and did it. The yachtsman from Nice, Jean-Pierre Dick, has just launched his own cruising yacht - the JP 54 - lending a real boost to the “hive of activity” around production cruising yachts.By Didier Ravon, editor, Voiles et Voiliers
When Jean-Pierre Dick revolutionizes cruising!
After three non-stop round-the-world races, the man known as “JP” was no longer concealing his frustration over sailing near the world’s most beautiful islands and not being able to stop.
For this veterinarian from Nice, who made his first tacks off the Riviera and sailed cruising yachts a long time before becoming a professional racer, the production models currently available no longer matched his vision of cruising.
The idea was born while in Corsica on a voyage with friends. He got it into his head to design a sailboat – fast, light and high-tech of course, but offering all the comfort that one has a right to expect on a long-haul vessel.
In addition to his loyal Absolute Dreamer team, JP surrounded himself with Guillaume Verdier for the hull and Stéphanie Marin for the design and interior layout. Very much in vogue, but having no experience when it comes to sailboats, this young native of Nice was given carte blanche. As a result, she has come up with a totally innovative and radical interior…without the slightest comparison to what we are accustomed to seeing in boat shows. Revolutionary!
That’s the only word for it. Everything is different, uncluttered and spacious, with soft shapes, volumes that are both modern and functional, white omnipresent and “mango” colours…as well as a loads of finely-worked details, like the “satellite” unit that pivots to windward, the handrail lighting, or the WC in carbon that adapts to the list of the boat. Hybrid propulsion for silently approaching your anchorage, a “hidden” tender in the rear compartment, a jet spray for cleaning the anchor…everything has been planned to make life easier while cruising. It is clear that those who swear only by teak and plush closed interiors around the wardroom will be completely lost.
Privileged to preview the plans and sketches from the very start of the project, Voiles et Voiliers also received an exclusive invitation for the first cruise of the JP 54 off the coast of Auckland where it was built.
Currently in newsstands, the June issue of the monthly magazine has devoted eight pages to this magnificent 54 footer, admittedly not suitable for everyone, which is presently returning from New Zealand, and will make its first tacks in the Atlantic starting July, before heading for JP’s place in the Mediterranean!
By Didier Ravon, editor, Voiles et Voiliers
For this veterinarian from Nice, who made his first tacks off the Riviera and sailed cruising yachts a long time before becoming a professional racer, the production models currently available no longer matched his vision of cruising.
The idea was born while in Corsica on a voyage with friends. He got it into his head to design a sailboat – fast, light and high-tech of course, but offering all the comfort that one has a right to expect on a long-haul vessel.
In addition to his loyal Absolute Dreamer team, JP surrounded himself with Guillaume Verdier for the hull and Stéphanie Marin for the design and interior layout. Very much in vogue, but having no experience when it comes to sailboats, this young native of Nice was given carte blanche. As a result, she has come up with a totally innovative and radical interior…without the slightest comparison to what we are accustomed to seeing in boat shows. Revolutionary!
That’s the only word for it. Everything is different, uncluttered and spacious, with soft shapes, volumes that are both modern and functional, white omnipresent and “mango” colours…as well as a loads of finely-worked details, like the “satellite” unit that pivots to windward, the handrail lighting, or the WC in carbon that adapts to the list of the boat. Hybrid propulsion for silently approaching your anchorage, a “hidden” tender in the rear compartment, a jet spray for cleaning the anchor…everything has been planned to make life easier while cruising. It is clear that those who swear only by teak and plush closed interiors around the wardroom will be completely lost.
Privileged to preview the plans and sketches from the very start of the project, Voiles et Voiliers also received an exclusive invitation for the first cruise of the JP 54 off the coast of Auckland where it was built.
Currently in newsstands, the June issue of the monthly magazine has devoted eight pages to this magnificent 54 footer, admittedly not suitable for everyone, which is presently returning from New Zealand, and will make its first tacks in the Atlantic starting July, before heading for JP’s place in the Mediterranean!
By Didier Ravon, editor, Voiles et Voiliers
