Largest Carbon Fiber Schooner Ever Built [172 Sailing Yacht 2014]

Yacht: 172' Custom 2014 [DONA FRANCISCA]
Location: Punta Del Este, Uruguay
Asking Price: $24,500,000

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

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 Huiseman), 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 a 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 and 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.

0:00 Introduction
2:06 Bow + Foredeck
3:19 Sail Plan
4:19 Tender
4:40 Upper Guest Area
5:14 Helm
5:48 Mechanical Space
6:39 Upper Salon Control Bridge
7:21 Master Stateroom
8:25 Engine Room
9:01 Main Salon
9:56 Guest Staterooms
10:37 Galley
11:18 Crew Accommodations
12:22 Outro

Musicbed SyncID: MB013YLNNHEDVAC

[FlesHBoX]

Wow... I'm not really into the more traditional sailing look, but this is hands down one of the most beautiful sailing yachts I've ever seen. If only I had the 25 million to buy it, and the millions to keep it up in the future!

[jecny]

Beautiful and very tastefully designed. Clearly function takes precedence over luxury. But in many ways that appeals to me, though I could understand those looking for more of the bells and whistles on a vessel of that size. I think she is elegant and comfortable without being ostentatious.

[Ognir]

This may be the most beautiful yacht, motor or sailing I’ve ever seen on your channel.

[CrazyMrTim]

It's not very often we see sailboats on this channel. It's beautiful!

[therenaissanceredneck]

She is absolutely beautiful. With Ryan giving the narrative, she want be on the market long!

[grondhero]

I'm not generally interested in sailing yachts, but the interior on this one is the absolute best I've seen!

[gabomanya]

I've been watching Denison Yachting videos for more than two years now.
Is that my beautifully homecountry Uruguayan 🇺🇾 flag? Is that the coast and harbour of Piriapolis? Of course it is. What an amazing sailing yacth Doña Francisca. I hope you enjoyed filming in my little humble country. Cheers from Punta del Este, Uruguay!

[onlyinthehood]

🤯 WHOA not my preferred style vessel BUT RESPECT TO THE OWNER OF THIS NITCH Absolutely Gorgeous. Question… Do the crew that Knows her come with The Boat?

[danielschechter]

I'd say that of the sailing yachts I've seen videos of, this is my second-favorite, after Shenandoah. If I were a billinaire and didn't get seasick, I'd want one of these boats.

[davidprins]

beautifull love the lines and bow of the ship

[MrCrystalcranium]

Really gorgeous...woodwork inside is just stunning. The boat is a compromise though. She certainly is a sailing vessel first and a yacht second. I would expect a boat of her size would have greater space inside for creature comforts but the overall volume of engineering space looks like it was as important to the owner as sailing luxury. Definitely a boat for a sailor first and a yacht owner second...but if you are someone drawn to sailing vessels and not floating hotels, this one surely is magnificent eye candy!

[jorgeferreira]

Estoy en Priapolis de vacaciones y me impacto verlo desde más de 2 kilómetros con esos mástiles enormes. Averiguando es de Lopez Mena un millonario Argentino nacionalizado Uruguayo dueño de una compañía de barcos que van de Argentina a Uruguay ida y vuelta. Espectacular velero, no soy fanático pero hay que admitir que es una obra de arte. En donde se construyó este?

[tincoffin]

Funny being based on English cutters because they were designed to go to windward in short choppy seas and were generally quite narrow. Quite the opposite of American designs with their generally wider beam and schooner rig designed primarily for reaching conditions which prevail over there. So she is a real hybrid. Beautiful yacht.

[aaronwilcox]

Stunning, beautiful. I'm not sold on the long term of carbon fiber for a hull. I've used high end carbon fiber products and over time it degrades especially in UV exposure

[barrygoffe]

Spectacular yacht. Beautifully done video. Would have loved to have seen a little info on the capability/complexity of the sailing systems (i.e. how much can be accomplished by push button at the helm vs. by crew having to go forward). As it's a sailing yacht, I'm sure folks would be interested in how she actually sails. But incredibly grateful for the detail provided. Thanks!

[robertw.]

The statement, "...we find a galley with, mostly, unused appliances". To me, this means, the yacht has only been used for day sailing/racing and no long passages. Lovely yacht 👍

[LuziBeerbaum]

Is there an estimate on how much it will cost to make her actually seaworthy?
I mean just take a look at the galley. The cook top is not only placed in an unconveniant spot, it also doesn't tilt. Neither the oven itself nor the cabinet tilts. Means it's a security risk wile under sail. Same goes for the beds. Free standing beds may look nice, but without bunksails it's a potential deadly security risk. It's a sailing vessel after all.

What do you mean with an " inversed t-keel"?
If you take a T- keel and you inverse it it would mean put it upside down. Means the wings are right below the hull.
When you now sail an upwind course the heeling of the hull will lift parts of the wing out of the water where it can't produce drag.
The other side of the wing will still be pulling, causing the hull to heel even more or just pushing the hull to windward depending how it's shaped.
Both makes no sense.

[barriewright]

Magnificent and a charter ship if there ever was one. So were are the places in the world she cruise in.

[willhoyle]

The lines are classic and beautiful. What is it like to sail in bad weather?

[orangelip]

Tip: stick to one measurements system. Giving the mast size in Meters and then the beam in feet doesn’t sit well.