Overview

Launched in 2014 at the Astilleros Bequebus shipyard, Dona Francisca is one of the largest carbon fiber schooner ever built at 52.5 m.

Designed for an extremely experienced owner, who wanted a sailing yacht that was capable of cruising the world's oceans in comfort, but still offer exhilarating performance. Naval Architect Javier Soto Acebal, was tasked with the challenge and the results are a stunning yacht taking design inspiration from the early English Cutters of the early 20th century, a very modern classic. 

Dona Francisca is a fully custom, state of the art superyacht assembled by the sailing worlds luminaries. The owner required that only the leading experts in each field were hired to implement the most advanced hardware and components during a four-year build process. This collaboration highlights the exceptional quality and full-custom design which truly place her in the league of iconic superyachts such as Meteor (Royal Huisman), ELFJE (Royal Huisman) and Marie (Vitters Shipyard), yet with a total displacement that is 25% lighter. Dona Francisca's hull and deck were constructed in carbon fiber using a 'sandwich' method, which sees carbon fiber skins impregnated with epoxy resin over a rigid PVC foam core- a proven build technique that delivers a light yet incredibly strong structure. 

An amazing amount of care went into the design of each component and piece of hardware installed onboard, including the request of a special hue of bronze alloy for the winches and windlass bodies, which house Harken systems. Even the colors of each line and rope on board were taken into careful consideration to make sure the yacht maintained the classic look of her counterparts from the past. 

Performance is ensured with the use of carbon fibre rigging from Carbo-Link, Americas Cup style construction of carbon masts and booms and the most advanced sails from the famous Doyle Sail Loft in New Zealand.

Dona Francisca's clever interior configuration allows for a four-cabin layout, featuring a full-beam master suite with his and her bathrooms as well as a large separate private study, two VIP suites and one guest double. The remaining living space is comprised of a large deckhouse, an elegant and comfortable salon with both lounge and dining areas, and an ample-sized galley, all paneled in mahogany with cherry and chestnut flooring. Forward of the galley are three crew cabins.  

Features

• One of the largest carbon fiber schooner in the world
• Light and strong hull construction
• Built to RINA certification
• Teak decks
• High-tech systems
• Remarkable sailing performance
• Shallow draft

Construction

Hull and deck built in a vacuum bag sandwich process utilizing rigid PVC foam core and carbon fiber skins impregnated with epoxy resin. 

Bulkheads and stringers built in strengthened carbon fiber. 

Deck finished in Burmese teak (12mm thick) and deck superstructures (cabin tops) finished in Mahogany. 

The keel is an inverted "T" with a hollow body and a solid iron bulb, totaling 80T of ballast. Mast and booms are carbon fibre. 

Interior Configuration

Master Cabin- occupies total beam, with a private bathroom and an office with a closet and a private bathroom.

Control Bridge- leather armchairs and mahogany table.

Living and Dining Room- occupies maximum beam.

Guest Cabin (stbd side)- 2 beds with private bathroom.

Guest Cabin (port side)- 2 beds with private bathroom.

Galley- 3 refrigerators, 2 freezers, wine storage, dishwashers, microwave, oven, portable stoves (all brand Miele).

Crew Mess- has navigation monitoring system and camera circuit.

Laundry- washing machine and Miele industrial dryer.

Captain's Cabin- double berth with private bathroom.

Mariner Cabins (2)- each with 2 bunks and private bathroom

Specifications

Builder: Custom

Naval Architect: Javier Soto Acebal 

Vessel Type: Sail

Sail Cockpit: Aft

Rig: Schooner

Hull Type: Mono hull

Configuration: Long keel

Hull Material: Carbon fiber

Superstructure Material: Wood

Deck Material: Teak

Year: 2014

LOA: 52.4 m / 172 ft

Min Draft: 3.5 m / 11.5 ft 

Beam: 8.6 m / 28.4 ft

Bridge Clearance: 48.8 m / 160 ft

Ballast Type: Lead

Engine: Caterpillar C18 Acert, 873 hp

Cruise Speed: 10 knots

Max Speed: 14 knots

Shaft & Propeller

Shaft

The Hundested set of line of axis and crunk-box, consists of a system of a variable transit of propeller to transmit the torque of the engine in an efficient way. The transit control is obtained with a hydraulic bomb that activates a pinion, allowing a permanent adjustment of the transit of the propeller according to the returns of the engine.

• Hundested CPG32
• Power in the propeller: 885 hp
• Speed of the propeller: 556 rpm
• Relation: 396:1 
• Classification: RINA

Propeller

• Hundested VP 91/2 HP/HP
• Diameter: 1400 mm
• 4 spades constructed in alloy on Ni=Al-Bz
• Crow's Feet: schemed in Ni-Al-Bz
• Axis: Hundested 1.44045 ext diameter 130 mm, int diameter 40 mm
• Seal Axis: Hundested
• Hook Up: Hundested; custom made Vulkan

Bow Thruster & Sternthruster

• Max Power R 600
• Promotes 100 hp
• System: retractable hydraulic to piston
• Propeller: 4 spades
• Diameter of the turbine: 600 mm

Generators

• Caterpillar C4
• 4.5 kw
• Power: 64 kva
• Tension: 3x 380

Sail Inventory

Mast Heights

• Main Mast: 46.70 m from deck, 48.90 m from waterline.
• Foremast: 42.83 m from deck, 45.30 m from waterline.

Mast Construction

• Main Mast: King composite carbon fiber construction/furling boom.
• Foremast: King composite carbon fiber construction/furling boom.

The total surface of the sails is approximately 1.126 square meters.

The sail inventory includes a full batten main sail, a full batten schooner sail, a storm sail, a Gennaker and two rolling Genoas:

• Main: 407 m²
• Schooner: 341 m²
• Genoa: 3,254 m²
• Genoa: 1,414 m²
• Storm headsail: 55 m²
• Gennaker: 1032 m²

Tanks & Water Treatment

Desalinator

• Spectra Farallon 2800
• Capacity: 10,598 liters / 2,800 gallons per day

Black and Grey Water Treatment Plant

• Hammann AG 10220 - 2,118 liters / 559 gallons per day

Tanks

• Fuel: 2x 3,635 liters (2x 960 gallons)
• Fuel: 2x 4,335 liters (2x 1,145 gallons)
• Daily Fuel Tank: 1,057 liters / 279 gallons
• Drinkable Water: 2x 2,450 liters (2x 647 gallons)
• Black Water: 1,350 liters / 356 gallons
• Grey Water: 2,800 liters / 739 gallons
• Oily Water: 200 liters / 52 gallons
• Bilge Tank: 1,250 liters / 330 gallons 

Other Equipment

Bridge & Navigation Equipment

• 2 screens Simrad
• Controllers Op 40
• Integral System B*G H 3000
• VHF Sailor
• GPS Simrad
• AIS Simrad
• Automatic Pilot B*G

Owner's Office Navigation Equipment

• 1 screen Simrad
• 1 controller OP 40
• Integral System B*G H 3000

Crew Mess Equipment

• 1 screen Simrad
• 1 controller OP 40
• Integral System B*G H 3000

Rudder Exterior Equipment

• 1 screen Simrad
• 2 controller OP 40
• Integral System B*G H 3000
• Screen control of hydraulic systems
• VHF Simrad, 6 monitors B*G

Safety

• Fire System: Fireboy remote manual or automatic shot
• Central of monitoring Fireboy
• 2 rafts lifeguard Zodiac 8 passenger each, ISO 9550
• 1 auxiliary tender boat Avon Seasport Jet 430, 100 hp with turbine
• 2 beacons EPIRP
• 1 satellite telephone
• 1 transponder
• Water supply system 24 v and 380
• Cervina monitorin station

Anchor System

• 2x Anchor CQR 182 kilos each 
• 1 Anchor type Pool Anchor of 280 kg
• Malacates Muir-VRC11000/VF185
• Chain break Muir

Certification

• RINA year 2023
• Certificate of navigability - National Uruguayan Maritime Prefecture- updated
• Certificate of fire- update
• URSEC's certificate, radio communication equipment- updated
• Distinctive sign- updated
• Certificate of extinguishers and systems- updated
• Certificate of life rafts- updated