Design Brief & Intent
The core mission of the Wegu 701 was to deliver a highly capable, trailerable cabin cruiser that could comfortably accommodate a family of four for weekend trips while remaining manageable for a singlehanded sailor. Jean-Marie Finot designed a hull with a moderately wide beam of eight and a half feet, which maximized form stability and increased interior volume without exceeding standard trailer towing limits of the era. This distinguished the 701 from more extreme racing designs of the 1980s, positioning it as a safe and reliable family option.
Inside, the boat features a remarkably space-efficient layout. The interior utilizes a molded fiberglass headliner and structural grid, which provides stiffness while keeping the cabin easy to clean. Accommodations consist of four berths, configured as a V-berth in the bow and two generous quarter berths stretching aft under the cockpit benches. A compact, sliding or fold-out galley and a small chemical toilet area make weekend living viable. While the 701 lacks standing headroom—a common compromise in twenty-three-footers—the cabin feels bright and open thanks to lateral windows and a companionway hatch that opens up the cabin to the cockpit. The joinery is typically simple, relying on clean teak or mahogany trim against white fiberglass surfaces, ensuring the cabin remains durable and resistant to the damp conditions of seasonal layup.
Variations & Configurations
While the fundamental hull of the Wegu 701 remained identical to the Comar Comet 701, the German yard introduced vital alterations to suit inland sailing environments. The most prominent variation lies in the keel configuration. While Comar built the Comet 701 primarily with a deep fin keel drawing nearly five feet, Wegu Bootswerft offered a highly sought-after swing-keel or centerboard version (often referred to in German regions as a Schwenkkiel or Hubkiel). This variable-draft arrangement allowed the boat to draw just over three feet with the keel raised, enabling exploration of shallow lakes like the Bodensee, Chiemsee, or Edersee, as well as easy launching and retrieval from a trailer.
Rigging configurations also saw adaptations. Though some archival databases erroneously categorize the Wegu 701 as a ketch, it was built strictly as a masthead sloop. For the German market, the rig was frequently outfitted with a robust tabernacle or mast-lowering system, enabling owners to drop the mast singlehandedly to clear low inland bridges. Propulsive power was also highly variable; while many hulls utilized a simple outboard engine on a transom bracket, some premium builds were fitted with compact, single-cylinder inboard diesel engines (such as a seven-horsepower Farymann or Suzuki unit) paired with a traditional shaft drive.
Sailing Performance & Handling
On the water, the Wegu 701 punches above its weight, translating its French racing heritage into a balanced, stiff, and highly predictable ride. With a displacement of 3,086 pounds and a ballast-to-displacement ratio of 30.72 percent, the boat carries approximately 948 pounds of weight low in its keel. This high ballast ratio ensures excellent initial stability, letting the boat stand up to its canvas when the breeze freshens. Under sail, it displays a light, responsive helm, typical of Finot’s early cruiser-racer designs, and tracks exceptionally well even when pressed.
Analyzing its technical design quotients reveals a displacement-to-length ratio of 247.6, which classifies the 701 as a moderately heavy pocket cruiser. This heft gives it a more comfortable and reassuring motion in a seaway than its lighter, modern trailer-sailer counterparts, a characteristic supported by its motion comfort ratio of 14.22. However, with a capsize screening ratio of 2.34, the design carries a relatively wide beam and low ultimate righting energy compared to dedicated offshore vessels. Consequently, the boat is not built for open-ocean passage-making and will struggle in a true survival storm. Instead, it shines in coastal bays, large lakes, and protected waterways, where its agile handling and stiff posture make it an absolute joy to sail on a beam reach or when clawing to windward.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Today, the Wegu 701 exists as a classic and affordable entry-level cruiser on the European used market, particularly in Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands. Because of its limited production numbers compared to mass-market French builders of the era, finding a Wegu 701 can require some patience. When they do appear on the brokerage market, they typically trade at a highly accessible value, commanding a slight premium if they are sold with a road-worthy, dual-axle trailer and a well-maintained inboard diesel.
For potential buyers, the economics of refitting a Wegu 701 are highly favorable, provided the hull and deck are structurally sound. Because the boat’s systems are inherently simple—featuring basic twelve-volt electrical wiring, manual plumbing, and straightforward masthead rigging—much of the ongoing maintenance and modernization can be completed by a handy DIY owner. The greatest financial variable remains the condition of the trailer and the auxiliary power; replacing an aging inboard diesel can easily exceed the market value of the boat itself, making outboard-equipped models highly attractive to budget-conscious sailors who can easily swap a worn engine for a modern four-stroke outboard.
Known Issues & Triage
As with any boat approaching its fifth decade, the Wegu 701 requires careful inspection before purchase. The most critical area of concern is the deck. Wegu utilized a balsa-cored sandwich construction for the cabin top and side decks to keep weight low. Over decades of service, deck hardware, stanchions, and chainplates can leak, allowing water to penetrate the balsa core. If left unaddressed, this leads to extensive rot and soft spots, requiring the owner to drill out and recore the affected areas with epoxy and new core material.
On swing-keel or variable-draft versions, the keel pivot pin and lifting mechanism require a close look. The pivot bolt can wear over time, causing the keel to clank or shimmy while underway. This requires dropping the keel to replace the bushing and pin. Additionally, the lifting winch and stainless cable must be inspected for fraying or corrosion, as a cable failure can result in the keel dropping violently and damaging the fiberglass trunk. Finally, check the transom-hung rudder pintles and gudgeons; these high-load fittings are prone to developing play, which robs the helm of its precise, responsive feel.
Modernization & Upgrades
Modern owners are frequently breathing new life into these classic pocket cruisers with targeted, high-value upgrades. Foremost among these is the conversion of the electrical system. Replacing old lead-acid batteries with lightweight lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries drastically reduces weight while providing ample power to run modern marine electronics, small refrigeration units, and charging stations for personal devices. This electrical upgrade is often paired with thin-film solar panels mounted on the companionway slide or hatch garage to keep the system topped up while off the grid.
Additionally, the Wegu 701 is an excellent candidate for electric propulsion conversions. For owners sailing on inland lakes that restrict combustion engines, removing an old inboard diesel or heavy outboard and replacing it with a small electric pod drive or an electric outboard is highly viable. The weight saved by removing a diesel engine, fuel tank, and exhaust plumbing can be reallocated to a modern battery bank, restoring the boat’s original sailing lines and dramatically improving light-air performance.
The Verdict
The Wegu 701 is an exceptional, well-built vintage pocket cruiser that successfully adapts French racing pedigree for inland and coastal versatility. While it lacks the interior headroom and voluminous cabins of modern twenty-three-footers, it compensates with superb sailing characteristics, structural integrity, and ease of trailering. It remains a premier choice for budget-minded couples or small families seeking a classic, low-maintenance cruiser with a touch of performance flair.
- Excellent initial stability and stiff sailing performance under a wide range of conditions
- Highly trailerable and adaptable to shallow waters, especially in swing-keel configurations
- Solid, responsive helm feel characteristic of a Groupe Finot design
- Simple, straightforward onboard systems that make DIY maintenance and refitting highly accessible
- Good regional owner network compatibility with Comar Comet 701 parts
Cons
- Limited interior headroom and cramped accommodations for extended cruising
- Prone to deck core rot around poorly bedded hardware and chainplates
- High-maintenance swing-keel pivot pins and lifting mechanisms on variable-draft models
- Capsize resistance and displacement limits make it unsuitable for offshore sailing
- Replacement parts for legacy inboard engines can be difficult to source
