Garcia Exploration 45

The Exploration 45 is an aluminium centreboarder capable of taking on any adventure, from polar exploration to tropical sailing. She was voted ‘Best Boat’ and ‘Boat of the Year’ in 2015. 

Over the past forty years, Jimmy Cornell has logged hundreds of thousands of nautical miles; the Garcia shipyard has built the most emblematic boats for offshore cruising; and Berret Racoupeau has designed just as many. The coming-together of these three could only give rise to a sailboat with a distinct character, which was to become the Exploration 45.

The first of a line dedicated to sailing all the seas of the world, whether high-latitude or tropical, it is obviously made of aluminium and is a centreboarder. With twin rudders, the control in rough seas and the smoothness of handling are simply exceptional.

The interior layout options are excellent and vary sensibly for a variety of crew.

Naval Architecture

Under autopilot or from one of the two wheels that always offer the ideal position, the twin rudders, protected by skegs, control the generous hull effortlessly and precisely, whatever the wind and sea conditions.

Designed by Berret-Racoupeau Yacht Design, the modern hull works wonders in every aspect of long-distance cruising: power, load capacity, crew protection and smooth passage through the sea. The latter is in particular the result of a very careful centring of weight, for instance having the chain locker at the mast foot.

The sail plan is particularly well balanced, and is easily adaptable with the staysail set on its furling system and all the reefing lines returning to the cockpit, then for downwind work with code zero, gennaker or asymmetric spinnaker on the solid platform bowsprit.

The ergonomics of sail handling combine ease and efficiency, the result of experience and specific work on the deck layout. Everywhere, you feel both safe and closely connected to your environment.

Key Elements

Sailing:

• Aluminium centreboarder
• Chain locker centred at the mast foot
• Twin rudders (JEFA system on self-aligning bearings)

Comfort:

• Deck saloon with panoramic view
• Watchkeeping position, with good visibility forward
• Generous storage spaces throughout the boat

Safety:

• Watertight companionway door
• Forward and aft bulkheads in aluminium
• Through-hulls above the waterline

Technique:

• All essential sail-handling done from the cockpit
• Reinforced stem
• Integrated arch for: instruments, solar panels, wind generator, dinghy

Interiors

Bringing together all the essential functions in 45 feet was a challenge. The success is that this is immediately forgotten once you’ve gone through the solid watertight door of the companionway.

Only two steps from the outside, you are welcomed into a real cocoon with a view of the sea. Thermal and sound insulation of the hull and windows protect you from the elements. Note that Sébastien Roubinet, an extreme adventurer in high latitudes, supervised the design of the boat’s thermal insulation.

Between the watertight bulkheads, forward, separating you from the sail locker, and aft, which isolates the steering gear, the layout extends in a logical and comfortable fashion. Deck saloon, helm station with panoramic view, large galley, two cabins and as many bathrooms, one with separate shower, a large technical room with workshop (or a third cabin), there is nothing missing. Moving around, resting, preparing, sharing, or simply enjoying the trip is a joy every day.

The Standard Version includes an owners suite forward of
the mast, a sea bunk just forwards of the saloon, an aft double guest
cabin guest cabin on port and a single guest cabin on starboard
that can be used as a technical room, with adjacent heads and
shower compartment.
The Comfort Version offers a full width shower room on the
starboard aft side, with a comfortable separate shower. A full size
technical room for equipment storage is located aft of the shower
room. The Standard Version includes an owners suite forward of
the mast, a sea bunk just forwards of the saloon, an aft double guest
cabin guest cabin on port and a single guest cabin on starboard
that can be used as a technical room, with adjacent heads and
shower compartment.
The Comfort Version offers a full width shower room on the
starboard aft side, with a comfortable separate shower. A full size
technical room for equipment storage is located aft of the shower
room.

Disclaimer

The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.