Five super “flagships” that are Classic Boats not to be underestimated (17-18 m)

Looking back to the 1980s and 1990s, to the Classic Boats, today’s boating scene differs more than ever in size, offering yes hulls of all types and square footage, but starting, however, from much larger numbers than it was. The example is almost simple: a thirty- or thirty-five-footer today is often understood as a weekender, a hull conforming to occasional uses, to daily outings then, or to barely extended weekends. This was not the case, however, back in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, when a thirty-five-footer could already be a cruiser and a 60-footer was still and often a flagship. In the wake of this distinction, partly for culture and partly to analyze the market, in this article we will look at the latter,the “flagships,” or quasi-flagships, of yesteryear, very valid options for those wondering about possible purchases.

5 Classic Boats that were outstanding “flagships”

Looking at today’s shipbuilding landscape, the range of hulls between 50 and 60 feet, as ambitious as it may perhaps seem, is not surprising in size and, certainly, is not the exception. One need only step back, however, as far back as the 1980s, to realize how, instead, this, precisely, was. If, in the 1970s, a 35/40-foot boat was seen as a stately hull, with the 60/65-footers understood as exceptionally rare hulls, extreme luxury, the 1980s, on the other hand, cleared customs for the 50/60-footer as luxury cruising options, thus offering larger sizes as standard and, consequently, flagships on wider ranges than before. It is in this landscape that we find the exceptional flagships of this article, spectacular Classic Boats between 50 and 60 feet that, today, can still prove to be among the best options and surprises the market has to offer. Of course, forget a whole range of contemporary standards, you enter another world. So here are five classics between 16 and 18 feet that are still outstanding boats today, to say the least.

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NAUTA 54 | 16.55 m

Nauta Yacht; 1986; 16.55 x 4.82 m; Scott Kauffman & Mario Pedol

Scott Kaufman, who learned his trade at Sparkman & Stephens, opened his own firm in New York where he boarded Mario Pedol. From this partnership, the Nauta 54 was born in 1986. Industrialist Pigi Loro Piana fell in love with it and bought the first specimen, starting the My Song saga. What can I say, a splendid example of a fast cruising boat of the era. Produced in only seven examples, it is a Classic Boat of great class.

Find out how much the Nauta 54 is worth

OYSTER 55 | 17.1 m

Oyster; 1986; 17.15 x 4.8 m; Holman & Pye

Launched beginning in 1986 and built in more than 50 examples, the Oyster 55 was designed by Holman & Pye to meet a specific need of the shipyard: to bring to market a 50-foot bluewater that is simultaneously safe, seaworthy, stylish and fast. Not an easy request to meet, but H&P signs the miracle, creating a cruiser with great qualities that can also be made on a semi-custom basis. A great success.

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SOLARIS 57CC | 17.2 m

Se.Ri.Gi / Solaris; 1992; 17.20 x 4.70 m; Doug Peterson

In 1992 Se.Ri.Gi launched a small series, but a big boat. Elegant lines, dual cockpit options and impeccable quality. It is the Solaris 57 CC, a 17.2-meter designed by the great Doug Peterson. The hull is fast, seaworthy, and the interior is meticulously crafted. It was available in two distinct versions, a more classic one with a center cockpit and straight stern, and a sportier one with a double cockpit and inverted stern. The result is a fine hull with a classic flavor, a gem.

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SWAN 57 CC | 17.7 m

Nautor Swan; 1990; 17.76 x 4.85 m; Germán Frers

Signed Frers, very few examples have been built for this out-of-the-box Swan. The elegance and deck are in keeping with the swan yard’s standards, the lines are racy, and under the waterline the attitude is racerish, but with the 55/57CC, Frers signs a cruiser oblivious to all ratings. It is a boat for going to sea, and the center cockpit is definitely a statement of that.

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WAUQUIEZ 60 | 18.6 m

Wauquiez; 1992; 18.6 x 5.05 m; Ed Dubois

Livier Prouvost, at the time president of the Wauquiez Group, defined the 60′ as the haute couture of yachting. Whether one agrees with it or not, signed by Dubois, the Wauquiez 60 was indeed a boat that knew how to make its mark, a quality cruiser, with marine lines, powerful, and strong comfort in abundance. Peculiar is the high, wide-glazed deckhouse, a legacy of 1980s experimentation.

Find out how much the Wauquiez 60 is worth

Three “tidbits” about Classic Boats

• Want to learn more about the world of Classic Boats (1967-1998), the iconic boats of the period, the legendary designers, the stories and races of the “golden age” of sailing? Check out our section dedicated to Classic Boats!
• Do you have a Classic Boat to sell? Put it (for free) on our classifieds market!
• Do you have a Classic Boat? Participate in the SAIL CUP with your boat. There is a special ranking for you! Find out which stage is right for you!

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