Design and Construction
The Berret-Racoupeau studio designed the powerful hull, focusing on versatile waterlines suited to a range of sea states. The boat has a 16.2-foot beam and displaces 48,500 pounds, including 15,200 pounds of iron ballast.
Wauquiez built the hull and deck in fiberglass with a balsa core. The shipyard used a modern infusion-based approach, adopted to control resin content and stiffen the structure.
Compared with many pilot-saloon models, the deckhouse isn’t excessively high. This keeps the coachroof’s visual bulk in check while still providing a good view from the helm. Its measured height is a deliberate departure from the bulkier trunk cabins common to the type, preserving the boat’s profile without sacrificing the seated sightlines that are central to the pilot-saloon concept.
Rig and Handling
The deck layout is pared back to its working essentials. The foredeck and sidedecks are completely clear, with all maneuvering handled from the cockpit.
The helmsman alone has the main winches at hand, allowing the person at the wheel to handle trimming and sail control without sending crew forward. This centralized control scheme reflects the boat’s aim of providing maximum comfort even with a small crew.
The fractional sloop rig carries 1,432 square feet of sail area, enough to drive the 58-foot hull close to its 9.6-knot hull speed when the breeze cooperates.
Accommodations
The saloon is arranged on a single level and takes full advantage of the sea views through the deckhouse’s large side windows. A large C-shaped sofa sits to starboard, opposite a second, straight sofa. This arrangement lets a full crew sit together without blocking the passage.
The L-shaped galley provides appropriate storage for long passages. Wauquiez also offers extensive customization in both finishes and layouts. Teak remains the main interior choice, paired naturally with leather and steel accents.
Owners can specify the master cabin forward or aft and choose a two-, three-, or four-cabin layout. The same hull can therefore serve as a private cruising boat for a couple or accommodate a charter-style, multi-stateroom plan.
Verdict
The Pilot Saloon 58 is a thoughtfully centralized offshore cruiser, with clear decks, cockpit-led sail handling, and a bright, single-level saloon beneath a comparatively low deckhouse. The Berret-Racoupeau hull and flexible interior plans make it a credible small-crew voyager. However, the wide range of customization means that no two brokerage examples will necessarily be finished alike.
Pros
- Versatile Berret-Racoupeau waterlines designed for varied conditions
- Clear foredeck and sidedecks, with all maneuvering handled from the cockpit
- Main winches within the helmsman’s reach for short-handed sailing
- Single-level saloon with broad sea views through large windows
- Choice of forward or aft master cabin and two-, three-, or four-cabin layouts
Cons
- Variation in customization and finishes can complicate comparisons between individual boats
- The L-shaped galley is described as having appropriate rather than exceptional storage
