News comes of the recent launch in Uraguay of the 52.5m Buquebus sailing yacht Doña Francisca.
This beautiful schooner, designed by Javier Soto Acebal (who was involved in various Wally projects in the past) was built at Sr Lopez Mena's shipyard near Montevideo. Latin America's largest yacht construction to date, and one of the world's largest full carbon-fibre projects, Doña Francisca has a 172ft carbon-fibre/epoxy-infusion hull, classic 'pilot' appearance with a plumb bow, deep cockpit with coamings, sweeping sheer line with low-rise bulwarks, a flush deck, and distinctive pilothouse.
'Doña Francisca is intended for deep ocean sailing,' says Acebal. 'Her generous displacement, high form stability and low centre of gravity will give a pleasant ride. Construction is in carbon/epoxy, improving the ballast/displacement ratio. The interior, simple and spacious, shows a classic style.'
Accommodation comprises a full-beam master suite, two twins and one VIP double, plus crew accommodation.