Antigua 34 Information, Review, Specs

The story of the Antigua 34 begins in 1980, when Henri Wauquiez, the founder of the esteemed shipyard, envisioned and brought to life a novel concept for a cruising yacht. Working with designer Dominique Presle, the goal was to create a sailboat featuring an unprecedented deck saloon, offering superior visibility from within the main cabin. This design philosophy aligned perfectly with Wauquiez's overarching ethos of building "extraordinary boats" characterized by durability, robust construction, and an unwavering commitment to the owner's experience. True to the builder's reputation during that era, the Antigua 34 features a solid fiberglass hull, ensuring its renowned seaworthiness and longevity. While information on specific design variations during its production run is limited, the Antigua 34 was part of a series that also included the Antigua 37, indicating a consistent design approach for this specific concept.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Wauquiez Antigua 34 is characterized by its robust construction and emphasis on comfortable cruising, evident in its calculated performance ratios. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 13.78, she is not intended as a light-air racer, but rather as a steady, comfortable cruiser that performs well with the assistance of her powerful 40 HP Thornycroft diesel engine. Her ballast to displacement ratio of about 0.38 suggests a moderate level of stiffness, providing a stable motion in a seaway. The displacement to length ratio, a notably high figure of approximately 479.25, further reinforces her identity as a heavy, substantial vessel designed for comfortable passage making rather than high-performance sailing. As a motorsailer with dual steering stations, the Antigua 34 offers flexibility in propulsion, allowing owners to comfortably cover ground under power when winds are light or conditions are adverse. While specific anecdotal reviews regarding her precise handling characteristics are not widely detailed, her design points to a boat that would be predictable and comfortable, capable of standing up to heavier weather thanks to her generous displacement and fin keel with skeg-hung rudder configuration.

Accommodations and Layout

The interior of the Wauquiez Antigua 34 is central to its innovative design, built around the concept of a "deck saloon" to maximize natural light and offer panoramic visibility from within the main cabin. While detailed specifications on maximum headroom are not readily available, the design inherently suggests a more open and airy feel compared to traditional trunk cabin sailboats of its size. Typical interior arrangements likely include a comfortable V-berth forward, a head compartment, a spacious salon within the elevated deck structure, and a functional galley. Online listings mention the presence of 12V outlets throughout and Hella fans in all cabins, indicating attention to onboard comfort and ventilation. Wauquiez is known for its refined interiors, often featuring high-grade materials and quality finishes, and it can be inferred that the Antigua 34 would adhere to these standards, providing a comfortable and well-appointed living space designed for extended time aboard.