Baltic 80 Café Racer Brings Maxi-Yacht Thinking to Weekend Sailing

Baltic Yachts has expanded its Café Racer series with a new megayacht model preserving the spirit of her smaller sister. The Baltic 80 Café Racer yacht provides more volume and more flexibility, yet remains a size for simpler operations, including spontaneous daysailing.

The Café Racer concept inaugurated with the Baltic 68 Café Racer, a large luxury daysailer with strong performance, striking styling, and uncomplicated handling. With the 80, the yard is scaling the same principles into maxi-yacht territory. Since LOA is 78’8” (23.98 meters), however, the project isn’t subjected to the somewhat complex regulations governing bigger boats.

Both the 68 and the Baltic 80 Café Racer have the same design team as the Baltic 108 Win Win. Specifically, styling and naval architecture comes from Javier Jaudenes of Surge Projects, while interiors are by Design Unlimited. Well known on the regatta circuit, Win Win won the overall title at the recent Superyacht Cup Palma Richard Mille regatta. She additionally won the same event in 2016 and 2019, and is therefore the second yacht to have topped the podium three times.

Because some buyers may want to race while others may want to cruise, Baltic Yachts is offering two rig configurations. One arrangement is for relaxed downwind sailing with family and friends. The other choice, meanwhile, is for more competitive racing with a full crew. Should racing appeal to you, note that the Baltic 80 Café Racer is especially optimized for coastal racing. In fact, Baltic Yachts expects her to compete near the upper end of Maxi Class 3, with a projected IRC rating of 1.480. The project should have low resistance in light air.

Regardless, the below-decks areas offer plenty of choices as well. Design Unlimited and the builder have a handful of different arrangements to get conversations started. Hull number one has an open, loft-style layout, in which the galley, dining area, and lounge are one social space (above). This therefore is for those who want a laid-back atmosphere, where the yacht is somewhere to gather as much as sail. “It just shows how confident and expressive this concept can be,” says Mark Tucker of Design Unlimited. So, too, do the possibilities for other hulls, including a semi-enclosed galley (below). In this arrangement, the cooking area still has a connection to the saloon, while having some separation. Full separation is available, too, in an entirely closed-off galley. Saloon arrangements are flexible, too, from individual armchairs to a long settee. “Ultimately, it’s all about making it easier and more enjoyable to just go sailing,” Tucker says.

Construction on hull number one is underway, using carbon fiber construction. Lamination should start next month, with delivery next summer. Considering a multitude of color choices are available for the hull, too, customers can be as bold in expressing their personality as they wish.

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