FC3 56 (18 m): like an Imoca 60 but cruising, Finot-Conq’s word

Pascal Conq and Jean Marie Finot are two pioneering designers in the world of open ocean boats, having grown up professionally, even before cruising boats, with racing boats to sail around the world. From their pencils came a modern fast cruiser named FC3 56. A peculiar name, the meaning of which we are going to reveal shortly.

FC3 56 – What a boat it is

The boat has volumes similar to those of modern racing boats, wide at the stern and with a fairly rounded and powerful bow to handle carrying swells without gagging in strong winds. The special feature of this project, however, is that it is a full-fledged cruising boat in terms of comfort and accessories.

The name chosen has a precise meaning: 56 as in feet; FC as in Finot-Conq, Full Carbon and Fast Cruiser, hence the abbreviation FC3. The boat builder’s yard is German,
Knierim Yachtbau
, which specializes in building custom designs. In fact, the boat has already been launched and is sailing.

The special features

Inside, the style is modern, witho use of composite materials and carbon look, but the layouts available are quite classic. Outside in the cockpit a carbon folding table stands out, and a large tender garage is located in the stern.

The rigging layout includes 5 winches, 4 for halyards and headsails, a central one in the stern, on a column, to serve the mainsail. The choice for the sail plan was quite “extreme,” i.e., a square top to the mainsail with no backstay or flyers, only reefed on the quartered spreaders. As a result, with a square top mainsail, the mainsail carriage, which has been placed at the extreme aft, effectively out of the “social” cockpit area, becomes unavoidable.

FC3 56 – Boat tab

Overall length: 18.90 m
Hull length 17.10 m
Width 5.24 m
Draught from 1.65 to 4.00 m
Displacement 11.9 t
DesignFinot-Conq
Sail area upwind 197 m²