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Wedge. The boat has maximum width aft, which, along with its low weight, guarantees conductivity.

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Opiumfor the People

Wide, fast, light, comfortable: with a new series, Wauquiez is taking the place of the typical French performance cruiser. What can be the ideal cruising boat?

OPIUM 39 YACHT TESTP

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A controlled run. Even under the large gennaker, the boat which can be controlled perfectly can always be mastered very easily.

The performance cruiser as such may also be considered the better cruiser boat at the final count.

The performance is greater, the boat's movements are more comfortable, the operation is easier and the living area is still sufficient. We have stressed this bold hypothesis in an extensive comparison (see YACHT 14/08).

Around here, fast yachts which are narrow on the water line have a deep keel with a long lever arm with a ballast bulb are operated by large crews, have their strengths on the cross and even sail on regular courses brilliantly but broad reach they are primarily caught in their own wave system but, due to their overall weight and body form, only start planing reluctantly. The models are regatta yachts which preferably run on up-and-down courses and sail according to measurement systems such as ORC. These boats are measured quite restrictively, the sailing area is included in the formula and would be a good allrounder due to the typical regatta courses.

A special type of the performance cruiser comes from France and functi ons

in a parallel world unknown to German-speaking sailors. It is wide, flat, with large sail area generally with one-hand operation capability. These are the tamed derivatives of the offshore racers Transat-Mini, Class 40 or Open 60, racing machines which start to plane effortlessly. These boats have been constructed according to threshold measurement rules; the class only provides values which may not be exceeded or not reached such as length, width or draught. Generally the sailing area is not measured. Due to the high percentage of the hub bulkhead area in high seas regattas, they are optimised for these courses. Most sporty cruising yachts from France are geared to these major models and thereby reflect, abeit mildly, their characteristics and properties.

Like the new Opium 39 by Wauquiez, for example. The shipyard from the northern French city of Lille is known for high quality Pilot Saloon Yachts and the diversification of the product portfolio was called for after the separation from Bénéteau. A sporty line therefore was needed – and was quickly found in the previously untapped forms of the Opium 39. The design by Marc Lombard,

a known master on the Open subject, was created earlier at Alizé Yacht Designs and originated in 2005.

Svelteness & powerfulSince 2009 it has been modified and re-built as it was modernised. It main-tained its agile, lively character like it impressively performed for the test off of the French Atlantic coast. But first the culture shock.

What is there at the dock at the Port des Minimes of La Rochelle is no delicate racing yacht which people see can cut the waves like a hot knife cuts butter. No: there is a bulky but flat GRP (glass-fibre reinforced plastic) wedge without a visible narrowing to the stern.

Which also shows what it gives the boat. Mainsail hoisted and the gennaker on the removable bowsprit on the deck, briefly luffed and trimmed, and the boat accelerate quietly hisses by. It has up to 9.3 knots in it now – with just a maximum of 11 knots wind and without significant wave support. Here steering is a lot of fun. In the blink of an eye, the accelerating yacht can be adjusted to the more narrow wind fall and on it goes. The

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Works and works out well. The fittings and the winches are very

well dimensioned. The swimming platform is lowered. The holders are prepared for the cockpit table. In the

stern there is enough room for a gennaker or a small inflatable

raft without air.

boat is easy to control and feels just as easy – which is something every dinghy boat sailor likes and is not overtaxing to the cruising sailor. On the contrary, it is sailing fun for everyone that is easy to have.

The important backwards beam contribute to stability and a lot of sail

area in relation to the weight also helps. 5.2 is the sail carrying number and that is already something huge. It is calculated with the standard area close to the wind from mainsail and Genoa but is only a point of reference for open courses. Here a gennaker with 135 square metres is used, which is also a lot compared to yachts such as the X-40 or the First 40.

The wheel steering is an option, normally the helmsman controls the Opium 39 with a tiller. But the wheel system works almost as directly: only one turn is required from stop to stop. This means that this yacht can also be steered

perfectly on a broad reach. Wild cranking which would require standing is not required. The tapered coaming, which is perfect to sit on, contributes to the "feel good" factor at the workstation.

The Opium has been designed with twin relatively short rudder blades. This prevents the rudder from levering out

due to the wide tail and guaran-tees full control on all points of

sail – even when well heeled – which was impressive when tested. The wheels with the steering columns going dia go nally outward to the cockpit coamings are dimensioned in an ergonomically smart way with a diameter of 90 centimetres and a height of 1.24 metres. The deck layout only has a few special features, the mainsail sheet for example. A 1:6 block and tackle is aft and is connected to the traveller. One of its rope ends is not attached to its block but rather runs forward on the boom and then back onto a halyard winch. A functional system: this means that the helmsman

can react quickly to adjust the mainsail or has to be hauled tight. And the winch is available in the event of more wind, in the jib or for the last few centimetres when hauling tight but is not operated by a fellow sailor.

The real test for this yacht comes when the gennaker is doused. Whatever is so fast broad range there would have to be disadvantaged to windward, at least some compromises should be expected. But that is not the case. Up to 8 (!) knots high in the wind, even with turning angles of 90 m degrees. Here a narrow performance cruiser would certainly point higher that but would be somewhat slower. Also on this course, in addition to the speeds, the direct steering means a lot of fun when cruising. Also the Opium 39 proves to be stiff enough. The bottom line for sailing can be expressed in one word: Great! And its like that on all points of sailing.

So where is the problem? On a ORC or a IRC-oriented boat, that can mean less room due to the reduced width and a narrower stern. The high-volume

The deck takes into account the needs of cruisers and regatta sailboats.

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MEASUREMENT VALUES

Sailing capacities without drift and currentOn the wind (approx. 90 deg.)7.9 kn

60 degrees fall 9.3 kn

90 degrees fall 9.0 kn

130 degrees(with gennaker) 7.8 kn2 kn 4 kn 6 kn 8 kn 10 kn

Wind speed: 8–11 kn (3–4 Bft.),Wave height: smooth water

Potential

STZ1 7.24.0 Cruiser Performance-Cruiser 5.0

The sailing carrying number identifies the Opium as a performer, but it is only determined with mainsail & Genoa. The large gennaker is the decisive factor for this boat.

Berth dimensionsForeship 2.10 x1.70/0.45 m

Interior 2.07 x 0.51 m

Aft (each) 2.00 x 1.30/1.13 mBarely sufficient Average Comfortable

Standing heightForeship 1.71 m

Interior (centre) 1.88 m

Wet box 1.80 m

Aft 1.87 mBarely sufficient Average Comfortable

Acoustic pressureRequired 75 dB(A)

Interior 69 dB(A)

Aft cabin 73 dB(A)

Foreship 67 dB(A)Quiet Normal Loud

Measured in cruising speed (80 % of the maximum speed): 5.5 kn, 2,300 min-1

Well accessible. Engine com part ment and storage compartment and the batteries

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Designer .............................Marc LombardCE draft category .............. A (high seas)Loa (body length) ....................... 11.47 mTotal length .................................. 11.47 mLWL (hull length) ........................11.02 mWidth ................................................. 4.18 mDraught keel/ swivel keel.................. 2.15/1.25–2.80 mTheor. hull speed ......................... 8.06 kn

Weight .................................................... 5.6 tBallast portion ........................ 1.9 t/33 %Mainsail ...........................................41.3 m2

Furling genoa................................44.2 m2

Gennaker ..................................... 135.0 m2

Engine (Yanmar) .............. 21 kW/29 PSFuel tank ............................... Plastic, 110 lFresh water tank .............. Plastic, 300 lSump tank ...............................Plastic, 60 l

Hull and deck construction

Sandwich in vacuum injection process. Hull with balsa core, deck with foam core. Vinylester resin and multi-axial layers.

– ASSESSMENT

The best of two worlds: The Opium 39 is extremely fast and controllable off the wind, hardly has any disad-van tages to windward and offers a top-quality structure for cruising sailors.

Structure and concept Speed and comfort perfectly combined

Minimal weight Swivel keel version available

Sailing capacity and trim Giant sailing potential Easily accessible performance features

Best controllability Good control with twin rudders

Living and inside layout of quality Fully equipped for cruising Seamanlike interior Narrow after and interior berths

Equipment and technology High equipment standard Well-dimensioned fittings Slow with standard engine

EQUIPMENT AND PRICES

Basic price from shipyard .....................EUR 207,900Standard equipment2: Equipment, sheets, railings, position lanterns, battery, compass, upholstery, pantry/cooker, Lenz pump, WC, electrical compartment, sump tank with deck suction ... includingSail (Mainsail + Genoa) .... EUR 9,800Sail cover .....................................EUR 564Anchor/chain/fender/ mooring lines ......................... EUR 1,430Fire extinguisher ........................ EUR 80Antifouling .............................. EUR 2,987Ready-to-sail transfer .........EUR 2,797Price ready-to-sail2 .........EUR 225,558

Also included in the price

LED (position and lighting), model in vinylester resin, folding propeller, oversized winches, Dyneema standing rigg, hand-polished interior

General warranty .......................2 yearsWarranty against osmosis ......2 years

1 Dimension-free number. Calculation: 2√S/3√V. The higher the value, the more sailing area (S) the boat has in relation to the volume displacement (V)2 According to YACHT definition including VAT.

Extra charge for comfort equipment2

Adjustable genoa cars................. includedAdjustable main-sheet traveller ......................................... includedelectrical anchor whench ........includedpipe kicker .....................................includedAft stay adjusters .......................includedSpring cleats ................................includedSpray hood ...............................EUR 2,179Teak in the cockpit ................EUR 1,779Electronics packages, with VHF-radio device, log, sonar and wind instruments ........ EUR 9,203Auto pilot ................................. EUR 5,094 Battery charger............................includedLand connection with electrical surge protector ...........................included230 Volt plug connector (one).................................................included12 Volt socket at chart table ..... includedHeater ....................................... EUR 4,829Pressure water system ............includedHot water boiler ..........................includedShower WC room .......................includedCockpit shower ...........................included

Comfort price2 (including YACHT comfort package above) ....EUR 248,642

SHIPYARD www.wauquiez.com

SALES Diamond Yacht, Yacht Centre Baltic Bay, Börn 17, 24235 Laboe; Tel. 04343/422 70, www.diamondyachts. de; info@diamond-yachts.de

Many varieties. The boat is available in three

interior layouts and with a swivel keel

Many unseen strengths are contrast to just a few weaknesses. In general, the concept has been a success P

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Good idea. Life raft and cockpit table are well stowed on the cockpit floor

Required. The wide stern requires a double rudder for control and also at a high position

aft cabins of the open Opium structure promises the opposite.

But cannot deliver on this promise. The berths of the identical aft cabins are only 1.30 metres wide. For example, it is comparable to the dimensions on a Dufour 40E. That is because the berths are separated by two longi-tudinal bulk-heads. In the intermediate area there is sufficient room for additional equipment such as a watermaker or more battery banks.

Three versi ons are offered for the interior: two cabins and two bathrooms and one of three cabins and a bathroom. In each case, the foreship houses the owner's cabin with a generous double berth. If the customer decides between two cabin varieties, a bathroom would have to move forward from its position at the companion hatch in order to create room on the starboard site for access to the cabin. The wet locker then makes the foreship cabin less spacious and halves the free access to the berth.

The headroom is quite low in the forecabin with 1.71 metres for a 39-foot boat and in the saloon is pretty tight with 1.88 metres in the centre – the drawback for the sporty, flat freeboard and the search to achieve minimal weight, a key to the open concept.

Traditional structureAside from the somewhat lower interior height, nothing under the deck is reminis cent of a performance boat or even a racer. The interior does not come off as cold, trimmed down, and solemn as one would expect given the outer appearance. On the contrary: The ship is built designed to be completely conventional, has an almost fussy

appearance depending on one's taste with its rounded furniture and the arc-shaped tops to the doors.

But the interior proves to be very functional and sea-worthy. This means the galley has a U shaped form, and has a small entrance and thus more leg

room; you can stand here safely with well formed sea. The sinks are right in the middle of the boat so that water can drain on both tacks. And the navigation table is large enough for sport boat charts with a comfortably curved nav seat. With these longhaul characteristics of the interior, you would wish for wide interior berths which are in the motion centre. With a width of 51 centimetres, they are rather narrow, however, which can be remedied on the port side with an infill cushion.

The finish of the visible grp plastic and wood work turned out to be very nice; these are two areas which Wauquiez defines as a core competence. The management decided not to try to achieve further industrialization and automation of the manufacturing but rather puts stock in genuine hand craftsmanship. But without foregoing the advanced structure: the hull, deck and sub-structure are created with a vacuum injection process which the homogenous, bubble-free should gua-rantee, which have a precisely controlled percentage of resin. The vinylester resin gives osmosis resistance, multi-axial fibre glass layers for torsional strength. The laminates are designed as a sandwich construction; Balsa wood is used in the body as a core material while PVC foam is used for the deck.

With vinylester resin, multi-axial layers and infusion, the model is high-quality

EXTREME: CLASS 40

Loa (body length) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12.18 mWidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.49 mWater displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.65 tSail area in the wind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115 m2

Sail area broad reach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252 m2

Basic price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 235,620

Yachts of the type class 40 such as the "Beluga Racer" (photo, see YACHT 14/09) of the German-Tunesian shipyard MC-Tec are a model for the Opium 39. The ships are limited to just a few dimensions, i.e. open-class boats. Designed for offshore racing, they are optimised for more frequent open courses, are very light and wide and have a considerable sailing area. The deck layout is designed for a small crew, the interior is bare.

MODERATE: DUFOUR 40 E

Loa (body length) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.99 mWidth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.89 mWater displacement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8.0 tSail area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88.0 m2

Sail area broad reach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146.0 m2

Basic price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . EUR 188,615

The newly launched 40 E (see YACHT-Test 2/2010) is a typical representative of the cruiser/racer which are constructed for a measurement or according to ORC or IRC. They are heavier and more narrow, are designed for good characteristics to windward and thereby for smaller tacking angles with a high speed. The interior and handling are fully race-capable single rudder blade and smaller gennakers are additional characteristics.

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Contrast. The interior structure is quite conventional, the

amount of wood is unexpectedly high.

Surfaces were hand-polished with wax.

Very good solutions in the pantry and

navigation are sea-worthy and appealing.

However, the aft berths fall a bit short

A real alternativeEUR 208,000 ready-to-sail according to the YACHT definition, it now has the price basis of a well-equipped Opium 39. It is therefore somewhat more expensive than comparable boats. However, if the typical performance cruiser is the better

cruising boat, the Open Cruiser Opium 39 can still top it.

That is because the customer is getting a super-fast, planable but also highly sea-worthy and an optimally controllable and operatable cruising yacht. The stern, which is extremely wide for this purpose, creates room in the cockpit and a lot of storage room. Both rudders give full control on all courses and even with large heeling angles. There is a comfortable cruising interior, has good equipment and a sophisticated design. Furthermore, the ship is also available with a swivel keel which folds under the boat and thereby reduces the draught to 1.25 metres.

As a whole, with the new line, Wauquiez is now doing the biggest balancing act in the entire industry. While the competition is making a distinction between cruising yachts and performers, the shipyard is bringing together both extremes of the design spectrum with

the Pilot House yachts on one hand and the Opium series on the other. And it

wants to continue working on this. The next thing will be an Opium 47. "We would also build it smaller than 39 feet", says Hugues Leblond from Wauquiez Management. But only if it doesn't get too expensive. The concept requires a low weight and that, in turn, requires a higher quality construction".

"With the Opium 39, this was almost a perfect success. Whoever is looking for a sporty 40-foot boat would certainly be making a mistake if he didn't take a look at the Wauquiez. The best thing would be for these people to have a trial sail to familiarise themselves with the advantages and special features of the boat. The Opium 39 can also

be chartered for this purpose. Rivage Location (www.rivages.com), one of the largest French charterers with bases on the Atlantic coast and in Guadeloupe, has yachts of this type and also offers weekend charters.

Fridtjof Gunkel

Tests on compared boats as a PDF download plus other info on the Internet:www.yacht.de/testTranslation: www.lne-international.com

The finish is good. Particularly the wood work can be appealing

YACHT TESTOPIUM 39

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