WHIMSY – Where Racing Heritage Meets Family Adventure The sailing yacht WHIMSY represents something rare – a deeply personal 23.98-meter Performance Cruising Sloop born from a lifetime of competitive sailing and refined over fifteen years. Her owner, with two Admiral's Cups for France and multiple World Championships alongside Americas Cup Helmsman Bruno Troublé, brought unmatched credentials when he approached Philippe Briand in 2001 with a simple brief: "a fast sloop that looked like a racing boat but could sail comfortably worldwide". What emerged from this five-year collaboration with Briand and interior designer Franck Darnet was a one-off masterpiece built by Vaudrey Miller in Auckland.
The owner's design philosophy "less is more" permeates every detail, from the practical 3.2-meter draft and lightweight fiberglass hull to the ingenious foredeck tender garage that allows launching even in fair swells. Three equal-sized en-suite cabins reflect the owner's democratic hospitality philosophy, while the spacious cockpit with centralized systems balances racing efficiency with guest safety. The bright salon and independent crew quarters make WHIMSY genuinely practical for extended passages.
WHIMSY has proven herself in demanding conditions – surviving 35-50 knot winds from Tonga to New Zealand and riding over extraordinary 10-meter waves in the Gulf Stream. Her owner recalls: "Nobody on the deck will ever forget this extraordinary situation… thank WHIMSY".
Over fifteen years, she's been meticulously maintained with upgraded electronics, replaced engine and generator twice, and a new 3.40-meter AB tender with Yamaha 25 HP (2023). Her logbook includes the Pacific Islands, Baltic Sea, and major ports from New York to Venice – always arriving under sail. Amenities include BOSE audio system, NEFF oven, MIELE washer/dryer, NESPRESSO machine, swim platform, paddleboard, and TIWAL 2 sailing dinghy.
At under 24 meters, she enjoys anchoring freedom in the Balearics and Corsica without heavy restrictions. Painted Matterhorn white with yellow "bouton d'or," WHIMSY awaits her next chapter -ready for the playful, fanciful adventures her name promises. Contact Laurent – 36 Degrees Brokers for details.
