Fast, technologically advanced, and elegantly designed, The Gunboat 68 is the culmination of development within the fleet since the first Gunboat launched in 2002. Incorporating the best of what has come before with experienced boatbuilding and valuable industry partnerships, the Gunboat 68 is a step-change in the evolution of the brand.
As the Highland Fling program shifts full attention to the completion of their Gunboat 80, they offer a rare opportunity to take immediate ownership of a Gunboat 68! The next owner will step onto a turnkey, highly upgraded and optimized 68, for immediate entry into the exciting and fast-growing world of multihull sailing.
The ultimate performance cruising catamaran
OVERVIEW
Gunboat 6801 was built with extensive upgrades across the spectrum of performance to cruising by an owner who spared no expense. The first owner valued quality, technology and engineering and was intrigued by the boatbuilding process, forming a partnership with Gunboat to see that boat #1 of the VPLP-designed Gunboats would be a refined showstopper. 6801 featured all the performance upgrades, and a jaw dropping silver metallic finish. They enjoyed a once in a lifetime family cruising experience sailing in the Med, Caribbean and New England.
It was a year ago that the renowned Highland Fling program, highly decorated in the monohull racing scene, scouted Gunboat 6801 to be their first-ever multihull. The platform would test out their vision for inshore racing in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, proving its worth as well as the potential of a new style and class of racing for the owner after a lifetime of monohull racing. The first experience sailing Gunboat 68 Highland Fling – the Loro Piana Superyacht Regatta in June 2021 – exceeded expectations: They went all-in and commissioned the first Gunboat 80!
ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE
The next owner will benefit from a significant investment in performance optimization. As Highland Fling 17, the yacht received specialized attention in all aspects by top professionals. Upgrades included dual exterior helm stations, B&G Nemesis screens, remote mainsheet trim, and a new suit of North Sails.
RACE MODE
Over 700kg of gear was removed for racing, with all equipment retained in storage to accommodate the preferences of future owners. The boat currently sits in race-ready mode for their next event – with a simple process to go back into its cruising configuration.
I love speed, and the GB68 gives me that. I love the new challenge of helming a multihull, the feeling of keeping the boat with the windward hull flying – and the ability to have some time off in comfort.
Loïc Perron – Former Owner
distinctive characteristic
The next owner will benefit from a significant investment in performance optimization. As Highland Fling 17, the yacht received specialized attention in all aspects by top professionals. Upgrades included dual exterior helm stations, B&G Nemesis screens, remote mainsheet trim, and a new suit of North Sails. Over 700kg of gear was removed for racing, with all equipment retained in storage to accommodate the preferences of future owners. The boat currently sits in race-ready mode for their next event – with a simple process to go back into its cruising configuration.
The Gunboat 68 was designed and engineered with aesthetics, performance, and utmost safety in mind – applying Grand Prix technology to what is at its core a highly capable world cruising yacht. Lightweight, all-carbon composite construction is the foundation of this robust platform, designed to handle the wide variety of conditions encountered when offshore sailing, and deliver an elevated sailing experience in the entire range of conditions.
Whether you plan to sail over the horizon on a global cruise or take line honors at regattas, the Gunboat 68 will get you there in speed, comfort and style.
The design parameters were achieved under a no-compromise collaboration to refine performance, quality, equipment, and comfort on a platform conceived for safe, fast world-cruising. The stunning exterior lines exude speed. The inviting interior delivers comfort and refined style, driven by clean, modern, and purposeful design.
Systems were engineered to be accessible and require minimal maintenance. Semi-customizable layouts and well-thought-out options deliver versatility and personalize each Gunboat 68 to reflect the individuality of her owner. The evolutions seen in the 68 design merely enhance the core Gunboat DNA: high-functioning, lightweight, high-performance, and ready to sail the globe.
Evolutions in Gunboat Design
The Gunboat 68 is the product of a close design loop between Gunboat, VPLP, Patrick Le Quément, and Christophe Chedal Anglay – collaborating with owners and crew, industry experts, and with unique contributions from the French offshore racing and aviation communities.
Lifestyle
Beautiful and inviting, open and airy interior
Open and airy interior features excellent visibility and clean functional spaces while delivering exceptional comfort. The open bridgedeck salon offers magnificent 360-degree visibility and air flow. Balance the indoor/outdoor feel with the large doors and windows to the forward and aft cockpits, as well as the retractable moonroof overtop of the helm station – and enclose them all for climate control. The salon features the galley with a countertop island located to port, dining/lounging area to starboard, and the nav station/interior helm forward.
Accommodations include a total of 5 cabins: Four ensuite VIP staterooms from the queen-sized berths outward to the horizon, and one double bunk crew cabin with a wet head in port bow.
The disciplined focus on weight and performance design continued throughout the interior, and new technologies came into play to raise the bar in ultra-lightweight construction, refinement and style.
Interior design
The feel of light and space, with ergonomics and practicality at the forefront. Space was maximized for usable storage and comfortable headroom. Recessed lighting, air conditioning that surrounds the bed in slow-moving cool air, upholstery panels that absorb sound. Optimized sightlines and natural light, an ocean view from every cabin. Comforts you will feel and organically enjoy were thoughtfully designed, to the detail.
Lightness
The custom Regatta Rig package (29m mast, 4m daggerboards) increases sail area and further minimizes weight.
Performance
A new suit of sails (2021) optimized by North Sails also gives performance that extra edge.
Enjoyment
Interior and exterior aft helm positions further encourage the sailing state of mind and enjoyment of the sailing machine and lifestyle in equal measure.
Designed to the detail, the Gunboat 68 incorporates strong, reliable, and beautiful components into every inch of the boat. Designers integrated intuitive conveniences from the way you naturally utilize features of the boat to systems access, and even in the layout. Demountable furniture in the salon and aft cockpit can be moved, linked and locked in place to allow you to modify the bridgedeck interior layout quickly and easily for cruise, race, cocktail party, or lounge modes. The designers also kept future-proofing in mind, to allow for evolution and meet the changing desires of owners over time.
Highland Fling boasts an impressive spec with an extensive list of upgrades for that extra edge. The custom Regatta Rig package (29m mast, 4m daggerboards) increases sail area and further minimizes weight. A new suit of sails (2021) optimized by North Sails also gives performance that extra edge. Interior and exterior aft helm positions further encourage the sailing state of mind and enjoyment of the sailing machine and lifestyle in equal measure.
LOA 20.75 M 68.0 FT
LWL 20.75 M 68.0 FT
BOA 9.1 M 29.9 FT
DRAFT BOARD DOWN 4.3 M 14.2 FT
DRAFT BOARD UP 1.2 M 3.8 FT
MAST CLEARANCE 31.5 M 103.4 FT
MAST LENGTH 29 M 95 FT
DISPLACEMENT 19.500 KG 42.990 LBS
DISPLACEMENT MAX LOAD 23.800 KG 52.470 LBS
BRIDGE DECK CLEARANCE (MID LOAD) 1.0 M 3.3 FT
FUEL CAPACITY 2 X 378 L 2 x 100 GAL
WATER CAPACITY 2 X 378 L 2 x 100 GAL
• Remote control for Mainsail handling – allowing main sheet, cunningham, and mast rotation trim from any location on the boat allowing better driver tactician communication
