Django 12.7 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Django 12.7 began its production run in 2016, joining Marée Haute's successful Django range of performance cruisers. The design, a collaboration between naval architects Pierre Rolland and Pierre Delion, reflects Rolland's deep roots as an offshore sailor who often designs boats for races, prioritizing performance and seaworthiness. Marée Haute, established in 2004, has consistently focused on modern materials, primarily utilizing fiberglass for its hulls to ensure strength and efficiency. This manufacturing ethos emphasizes innovative and high-performance vessels, with a signature focus on lifting keel designs that offer exceptional versatility.

The Django 12.7 is available with significant variations to cater to different sailing preferences. While the primary configuration features a lifting keel, allowing for a remarkable draft range from a minimum of 4.92 feet to a maximum of 9.51 feet, a fixed keel option is also offered with drafts of 2.20 meters or a performance-oriented 2.40 meters. These options underscore the builder's dedication to providing adaptable yachts that excel in diverse sailing environments, from shallow anchorages to demanding offshore conditions.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Django 12.7 is engineered for spirited performance, evidenced by its calculated ratios. With a sail area to displacement ratio (SA/D) of approximately 27, she is poised to deliver strong performance, particularly excelling in light to moderate air conditions. Her displacement to length ratio (D/L) of around 112 indicates a very light displacement for her nearly 40-foot waterline, contributing to her agility and speed. These figures collectively suggest a boat designed to be fast and responsive, aligning with its "ocean racer" designation.

The ballast to displacement ratio (B/D) stands at approximately 0.31. While this figure might appear moderate on its own, it is crucial to consider the Django 12.7's innovative lifting keel system. When fully extended to its deep draft of 9.51 feet, the keel significantly enhances stability and upwind performance, allowing the boat to stand up to more wind. This design choice, a hallmark of Marée Haute, provides remarkable versatility, enabling optimized performance in deep waters while also offering shallow access. Owners and reviewers often describe Django yachts, including the 12.7, as "fast cruising yachts" that offer excellent all-around performance, with some suggesting good upwind capabilities compared to similar boats. Its design is also considered suitable for solo sailing, highlighting its balanced and manageable handling characteristics.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its performance-oriented nature, the Django 12.7 offers a comfortable and well-appointed interior designed for cruising. The boat typically features a 3-cabin layout, providing up to 8 berths, making it suitable for family trips or group cruising. With a maximum headroom of 6.4 feet, the interior space allows for fluid circulation and a sense of openness.

Marée Haute has focused on selecting "qualitative materials" for the interior, aiming to create a pleasant and comfortable cruising environment. Reviews suggest a practical rather than overtly luxurious finish, prioritizing functionality and durability for offshore use. The forward cabin, in particular, has been refined to enhance comfort for extended voyages. The layout generally includes essential cruising amenities such as a V-berth forward, a head, a salon area, a galley, and additional cabins, providing ample space and privacy for its crew.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of Marée Haute Django yachts, including the 12.7, generally appreciate the brand's emphasis on high-performance combined with practical features like the lifting keel. While specific owner forums dedicated solely to the Django 12.7 are not widely publicized in readily searchable content, the overall sentiment regarding the Django range points to a community that values the distinctive qualities of these versatile performance cruisers. Owners frequently commend the boats for their robust construction, exhilarating sailing performance, and the unique flexibility afforded by their adaptable keel systems.