Match a spicy, aesthetics-led brand with a gifted designer and the result is this sensationally cool Black Pepper Code 2 60-footer. Although she may not offer the minimalist, go-anywhere prospect of a Django or Pogo, Black Pepper’s latest creation is still a fast lift-keel cruiser. And she has more than her fair share of sheer panache.

Like the smaller yachts in the Black Pepper range, the Code 2 uses a traditional-style doghouse and teak decks juxtaposed with a very modern, beamy hull shape to arresting effect.

The slight reverse sheer appeals particularly – this is fast becoming a signature look for designer Marc Lombard.

Twelve of the original Black Pepper Code 0 daysailers are now sailing and racing, and the all-carbon Code 1 weekender launched last year. This new flagship Code 2 is a 60ft racer-cruiser, “influenced by IMOCA 60 designs,” says Black Pepper’s founder Michel Douville de Fanssu.

Despite her high-end luxury daysailer appearance, Douville de Fanssu thinks clients will be most interested in offshore racing. Presumably their pockets will also be deep enough to include top foulweather kit.

Black Pepper’s range is built in Nantes. The Code 2 is made in carbon epoxy sandwich and will weigh around 10 tonnes. Her 4.6m lifting keel helps provide the deep draught needed to support 410m² of downwind sail area – plus there is 1,500lt of water ballast each side (the equivalent of having a rugby team on the rail).

Like the other French designs shown here, sheets are led to inboard winches, abaft the cockpit benches. So beamy is the Code 2 in the after sections that the central area between the rudder stocks lifts like the boot of a car to reveal a tender garage below.

Below decks she looks every bit the luxury weekend cruiser, including, notably, three heads.

Price on application. www.blackpepper.fr

Dimensions

LOA 17.50m/57ft 5in

Beam 5.30m/17ft 5in

Displacement 10,000kg/22,046lb

Draught 1.76-4.6m/5ft 9in-15ft 1in

This is an extract from the June 2015 issue of Yachting World