Sasga Menorquin 55 FB, The tradition of the Trawler revisited

Built on the foundations of the old Sasga 54 FB discontinued last year (2023), the Menorcan shipyard is launching a new model that is more ambitious in terms of comfort and more contemporary, thanks in particular to a thoroughly revised wheelhouse layout. Text Antoine Gatin – Photos Jérôme Kelagopian, Boris Rejou and V. Pelagalli

Summary :

♦ to see again ♦♦ AVERAGE ♦♦♦ GOOD ♦♦♦♦ Alright ♦♦♦♦♦ exceptional

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We like:

• Carpentry work, exemplary finishes
• The new fly-bridge and its floor space
• The layout of the cockpit and the distribution of spaces
• Comfortable and economical navigation
• Well equipped for extended stays

We like less:

• The absence of a side door to the cockpit
• Lack of natural light on lower deck

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Some edges on board

Formerly 54, the new Menorquin 55 FB was built on the same basis as its predecessor, but in reality, it is no longer quite the same boat, because the layout has been fundamentally changed. The very first model produced, called 101, is that of José Luis Sastre, the owner of the shipyard founded by his family in 1978. He wanted to verify for himself that everything lived up to his expectations for this new remastered opus. It is precisely this number one that we were able to try as part of the Cannes Yachting Festival 2023. If a novice eye might have difficulty perceiving the external differences between the models, one thing is certain, in both cases, it is It really is a Sasga!

Friendly kitchen in the cockpit

Easily recognizable by its traditional capian at the bow inspired by the Mahon points, its raw wooden mast at the rear of the flybridge as well as its half-moon stern, the Sasga 55 displays only a small foot of difference, i.e. 30 cm more than the 54 FB.

The new fly-bridge has nevertheless been restyled and now stretches almost to the stern. This revisited relaxation space offers more comfort, that’s for sure. The new U-shaped bench seat adjoining a fully equipped steering position can accommodate up to six people, while the folding bimini, in the same sand color code as the seats, has been redesigned to be better integrated into the new configuration.

We reach the cockpit via a staircase combining counter-molded steps and a ladder at the bottom: it’s a little too steep in our opinion, especially when sailing for people who don’t really have their sea legs.

In the cockpit, the spaces are arranged differently. The elegant teak balustrade and stainless steel stanchions now completely surround the curved transom.

The biggest change occurs at the entrance to the wheelhouse, with the adoption of the principle of a corner kitchen directly linked to the cockpit after opening the bay window. This is a real small revolution at Sasga, which until now offered a kitchen below (always an option) or a linear kitchenette opposite the wheelhouse lounge.

This better interaction between living areas reinforces conviviality on board. It also requires some layout solutions in the kitchen to optimize the volumes. A refrigerated container that opens from the worktop serves as a refrigerator. The installation can be completed with a device housed in the chest of drawers on the port side.

The U-shaped square is now inserted between the galley and the windshield buttress. The new cockpit, with its impeccable joinery, clearly reflects the luxury trawler spirit. The old school bar, in varnished oak, is stamped with the Sasga logo.

Two giant state-of-the-art Raymarine Axiom 2 screens bring together all the information necessary for navigation and life on board. All veneer furniture now has slightly rounded corners.

Facing the living room, the long storage console is now accompanied by a retractable TV screen.

Smooth driving

On the lower deck, the master cabin is located at the level of the master beam in order to benefit from the entire available width. It is decorated with an island bed, plenty of storage space and a pretty sofa.

But this space is divisible into two double cabins: the bow cabin then becomes the one reserved for the owner, although its floor space is reduced.

The two double cabins have their own bathroom, as does the side cabin. The sand tones combined with the warm nuances of oak create a warm atmosphere. The woodwork is of high quality and the attention to detail is pushed to the maximum, like the interior of the dressing rooms, always very neat.

The only regret which corresponds to the traditional style of the boat is that the portholes are small and do not allow much natural light into the cabins.

In terms of performance, the two Volvo Penta D6-480 shaft-line blocks allow the 55 FB to cruise at 15 knots in fast cruising, but it is also possible to sail economically by going below the 10 knot mark.

The yield can then drop to less than 3 L per mile. In terms of top speed, we reached 20 knots, a little less than the 22 knots achieved aboard the 54 FB.

The strongly keeled in-house hull is stabilized by standard Zip Wake trim correctors, which ensure the most serene navigation up to 15-17 knots. The boat turns flat and can be steered smoothly. The shallow draft of 1.30 m remains reasonable for a 55 foot model, which allows it to venture where other trawlers cannot go.

In the end, the new 55 was able to take on all the characteristics of the 54 while adding a little pep of modernity. Sasga offers the model under the “Signature” label, which benefits from a superior finish and certain features that can be customized with the customer.

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The Menorcan Sasga 55 FB in four points

1. The engine room is large and easily accessible. No need to bend over backwards to carry out a possible revision.
2. The new fly-bridge, much larger than on the 54, benefits from a good amount of floor space. This was a negative point that the brand has perfectly corrected.
3. On the lower deck, the layout, guaranteed by the Signature label, is left to the customer: two or three cabins according to their wishes.
4. The foredeck benefits from a protective canvas above the sunbathing area, one of the many new features of the 55 FB

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By the numbers

Overall length 16,88 m Width 5,00 m Draft 1,30 m Weights 24 t Transmission tree line Maximum powere 2 x 480 ch Fuel 2 800 L Eau 970 L Cabins 3 Berths 6 CCE category A/8 pers. Prix €895,000 excluding tax (€1,074,000 including tax) with 2 x 480 hp Volvo D6 Standard equipment antifouling, cold-hot exterior rear shower, U-shaped table and bench seat with storage boxes, convertible into additional bedding, 3-burner electric gas cooker (with holders), 235 L refrigerator with freezer (220 V), wooden cupboards with cedar interior … Options Pack premium Raymarine hard-top : Axiom 16” RVX GPS plotter + depth sounder + nautical chart + EV400 autopilot + VHF 90 radio + pneumatic horn + digital radome radar + AIS 700 + deck searchlight; Pack premium Raymarine fly-bridge : Raymarine Pack + Axiom 12” RV GPS plotter + EV400 autopilot + VHF radio Construction site Sasga Yachts

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The Test by Neptune Yachting Engine

Volvo D6 – 2 x480 hp @ 3,700 rpm – 6 cylinders – 5.5 L Test conditions: 4 people on board, 80% fuel, 50% water, wind force 2

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By the way : Choice of layout

Kitchen upstairs or downstairs? This is the whole dilemma that customers of the Sasga 55 FB. The kitchen configuration in contact with the cockpit has clearly been on the rise for a good ten years in the classic flybridge motorboat segment.

Sasga has the merit of offering both solutions.

The kitchen on the upper deck is synonymous with conviviality due to its proximity to the cockpit lounge and the interior saloon. The storage space is, however, smaller than the version below, larger and perhaps more suitable for navigation with one or two couples over long periods of time.

In one case, the interior saloon contracts, in the other, the side cabin is removed.

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