Wauquiez Amphitrite MS 45

[bendriver]

Can anyone provide information on sailing ability of this French motor sailor? She is 45 foot on deck with a 35 foot water line and 14 foot beam. She displaces 32K pounds so surely not fast, but it does have a more modern underbody (similar to a Valiant or Taswell underbody).

I have one located as a live aboard cruiser. My only concern in light air performance - or even moderate air. Any information - even second hand removed - would be welcome.

[psk125]

Light air performance? In what you are calling a motorsailor? That is why it is called a MOTORsailor. Figure perhaps six knots on any point of sail with them furled.

[witzgall]

With the right sails, she should berform better then those boats with similar displacement and dimensions, that have more wetted surface. You will need BIG sails to get her going in light (below 10kts) wind. That is not a big deal, A good sailmaker can set you up with a large multipurpose headsail that will get her going.

They are built very well, and hold their value, if taken care of. If it has teak decks, know that Wauquiez did not use thick teak, and it should be taken off, and some glass will need to be added to replace the lost rigidity of the teak.

[neilpride]

I have friends sailing TW on a MS45 , right now they are in Phuket, the boat is a fine example of quality and seaworthy ocean sailing abilitys, Wauquiez made it in short numbers , its heavy and lightairs are a pain for this boat, but with a modern genaker or spi np so far, in heavy air is where this boat start to shine, the cockpit feel very safe and dry, pounding is not a isue , there is tons of storage around, fuel tanks are huge , i remember with this boat you can make around 1000 miles motoring, the pilothouse have good visibility in bad weather ,
most MS45`s come with electric jib and inmast furling , not my kind of stuff but i think they are very robust and reliable, overall its a good boat for a Circun, quality of construction is Wauquiez reputation, i mean very good.... I sail in this boat 3 times , Almeria (Spain) Canary islands, Trinidad to Panama, Tonga to Nz and in this one is where we see how well this boat deal with rough conditions...Good luck.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Ben,

Welcome to CF!

All super helpful in the Yahoo group...

Yahoo! Group | Wauquiez Owners Info

Wauquiez Links | Wauquiez Owners Info

Member CAELESTIS is in SD... Nice guy...

[bendriver]

Thanks to all for your replies. All good information. It sounds like with good air and a lot of canvas I'll be fine. I may have to motor in light airs but many other must as well.