The Ogham 54SP is making its first show appearance at the Grand Pavois in La Rochelle after completing its first sailing trials in northern Brittany. The 17.98-metre aluminium cruising yacht was developed by Ogham Yachts with naval architecture from Vincent Lebailly Yacht Design and construction by Bord à Bord in Plestin-les-Grèves.
The first trials were used to validate balance under sail, steering feel, comfort and the design choices made during development. Vincent Lebailly Yacht Design said the testing also provided the opportunity to identify any final adjustments before the yacht moves into its next commercial phase.
A 54-foot aluminium cruiser built around long-range sailing
Ogham lists the 54SP at 17.98 metres overall with a 5.17-metre beam and 173 square metres of sail area. The yacht carries CE Category A certification for eight people, placing the design firmly in the offshore cruising market rather than the short-range dayboat segment.
The hull is aluminium, a material often chosen for serious cruising because of its structural toughness and repairability. Ogham also presents the yacht as configurable around an owner’s programme, including choices in accommodation, propulsion, energy systems and electronics.
Deck saloon creates the defining interior layout
The 54SP’s most distinctive feature is its raised deck saloon, which gives a panoramic view from the cockpit through the main living area. That layout is intended to keep the interior visually connected with the surroundings while maintaining the protection expected on an ocean-going cruising yacht.
The cockpit is similarly conceived as a protected working and living space rather than a purely open entertaining area. For owners planning longer passages, the practical value lies in combining good sightlines with shelter and straightforward movement between sailing and domestic zones.
Sea trials move the project from design to delivery
First sailing trials are an important point in any new-yacht programme because calculations and engineering are tested against real loads and sea conditions. The design office reported balanced sailing characteristics, precise handling and the comfort level expected from the concept during the initial sessions.
Those trials also mark the transition from construction into final refinement, when rig setup, systems behaviour and small ergonomic details can be adjusted before customer handover. For a new design such as the 54SP, that stage is particularly important because it establishes the baseline for future examples.
Grand Pavois gives the 54SP its first public platform
Vincent Lebailly Yacht Design is presenting the yacht at the Grand Pavois in La Rochelle from 23 to 25 September as part of its show presence. The appearance gives prospective owners a first opportunity to inspect the completed yacht after its initial real-world sailing programme.
For the 12-to-23.99-metre luxury-yacht market, the 54SP adds another aluminium option aimed at owners who prioritise passagemaking capability and a protected living environment. Its arrival at La Rochelle also puts a relatively unusual deck-saloon cruising concept in front of a broader European audience.
