Classic on the Outside, Cutting-Edge Underneath | Inside DONA FRANCISCA

View the yacht listing: https://go.nandj.com/mneh5h Contact the broker: Sean McCarter https://go.nandj.com/kceyu7 DONA FRANCISCA Yacht for sale Length – 52m / 172' Built – 2014 Refit – 2024 Gross Tonnage – 206 GT Hull & Superstructure – Carbon fibre Top Speed – 14 knots Cruising Speed – 10 knots Crew – 5 Price – €13,500,000 Today, Katia takes us on board DONA FRANCISCA, a 52-metre sailing yacht that may look like something straight from the golden era of yachting, but is in fact a thoroughly modern masterpiece. Delivered in 2014 and most recently refitted in 2024, when she received an all-new sail wardrobe, DONA FRANCISCA was built in Uruguay by JCLM Astillero Buquebus for an experienced Uruguayan owner. Some of the world's leading composite specialists were brought in from Europe and the US for the project, which even received government support because of its scale, complexity and technical ambition. The whole project began with one very simple question from the owner: if I could build my perfect schooner, what would it look like? The result is remarkable. DONA FRANCISCA combines the appearance and romance of a classic schooner with highly advanced construction. Both her hull and superstructure are built in carbon fibre, making her one of the largest sailing yachts of her kind built using this material. The benefits go beyond weight. The carbon-fibre construction contributes to efficiency and performance while reducing corrosion concerns. Her sail handling is hydraulically assisted, she has powerful bow and stern thrusters, and despite her 52-metre length, she is handled by a crew of just five. Her exterior design by Javier Soto Acebal beautifully balances traditional sailing-yacht character with modern materials and engineering. Old-school-looking brass cowls, carbon stays and a slender profile preserve the spirit of a classic schooner without compromising the advantages of modern construction. Inside, the yacht continues that philosophy. The interior is described as Edwardian in style, with inspiration drawn from the traditional British social clubs that once existed in Buenos Aires. Polished mahogany, bronze detailing, glass lamps and painted white ceilings create an atmosphere that feels authentic rather than theatrical. The owner's accommodation continues the same design language, combining rich timber and traditional details with the headroom, integrated storage and practicality expected from a modern yacht. An additional office provides useful flexibility and could serve as a study, dressing room or potentially be converted for another purpose. Three further guest cabins continue the warm, traditional character of the yacht, while the generous galley reflects the kind of serious cruising DONA FRANCISCA was designed to undertake. When crossing oceans rather than simply moving between marinas, storage, refrigeration and practical workspace become particularly important. Her low engine hours tell another part of the story. Powered by a single Caterpillar engine, she has logged only around 1,700 hours, despite having crossed from South America to the Mediterranean under her own power. As Katia explains, those numbers suggest a yacht that has genuinely been sailed rather than simply motored from one anchorage to another. Ultimately, DONA FRANCISCA isn't trying to recreate history. She captures the essence and romance of traditional sailing without asking her owner to compromise on performance, comfort or practicality. For someone looking for a modern schooner with genuine character and a proven legacy of adventure and exploration, DONA FRANCISCA offers something very different. Follow Katia on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theyachtwriter Follow Yachts For Sale Blog: https://www.instagram.com/yachtsforsaleblog/ Watch our YouTube channels: @YachtsForSaleBlog https://www.youtube.com/@YachtsForSaleBlog @YachtsForCharter https://www.youtube.com/@YachtsForCharter @YachtBuilders https://www.youtube.com/@YachtBuilders Partner channels: @MarineMaxOnline @FraserYachtsSuperyachtSales @NorthropJohnson Yacht Broker Masterclass: https://www.yachtbrokermasterclass.com/ Inside Info newsletter: https://www.yachtsforsaleblog.com/inside-info