The Naval Architecture of the Skaw A
Berco & Partners' approach
We dreamed of a cruising boat fast enough to take our families and friends to the other side of the world. No such boat existed on the market, so we had the audacious idea of designing one ourselves.
Objectives :
- To make foiling compatible with the comfort of a cruising boat.
- To make the sensations of a racing boat accessible, by simplifying the handling.
- To offer the same living space as a 50-foot monohull or a 42-foot catamaran, in a compact boat the size of a Class 40, with the performance of a Gunboat 60.
Many elements have been borrowed from the world of racing, but our boat has been simplified as far as possible to make her easy to handle and to ensure safety.
Its power-to-weight ratio is comparable to a Class 40, enabling it to plane at speeds above 20 knots, while C-shaped — and therefore self-adjusting — fully retractable lateral foils maintain stability and keep the helm remarkably forgiving.
In short, our boat can cruise comfortably at an average of 15 knots, as the foils’ lift prevents her from heeling — and she can hit 20 knots or more on a downwind run.
The Naval Design of the Skaw A
The interior is exceptionally spacious, thanks to the width afforded by her scow bow:
She features a single, very bright open space with long windows. The generous saloon, which can seat up to 12 people, is complemented by a galley to starboard, a chart table to port, and two aft cabins.
The saloon can be converted into modular double cabins for overnight passages.
The cockpit is sheltered by a wide glazed hard top offering excellent forward visibility, and can be fully enclosed when conditions demand.
Two generous spaces complete the layout: a bathing platform aft and a sunbathing area forward.
The Naval Architecture & Design Team
The Model A was co-designed by sailor-engineer Benoît Marie and naval architect Clément Bercault, both from Nantes, working alongside designer Jean-Marc Piaton and architect Magdalena Federovicz-Boule.
Benoit Marie:
Catapulted into the world of professional offshore racing after winning the 2013 Mini Transat, Benoît Marie has since delivered outstanding results across numerous major events, including The Bridge 2017 alongside François Gabart and the Transat Jacques Vabre 2023 with Armel Tripon.
He has also become a specialist in foiling boats and is now regarded as one of the leading experts in foiling.
His dual profile as sailor and engineer drives him to continually refine the performance and ergonomics of his boats by pushing engineering ever further, while seeking to reduce the environmental impact of the sailing industry through innovations that sometimes break radically with convention.
Benoît Marie and Clément Bercault share a common, forward-thinking vision of naval design, and the Model A stands as the remarkable fruit of this fruitful collaboration.
Jean-Marc Piaton
Founder of Piaton Yacht Design, Jean-Marc Piaton and his team have spent over 30 years crafting sailing yacht interiors that offer comfortable, welcoming living spaces.
Clément Bercault has collaborated with him on numerous projects, including the Bali Catamarans Catsmart and the CNB Yacht.