The Vanquish 54 brings together two things that rarely sit so easily side by side, performance and calm. Along the coast around St Tropez she comes into her own, quick enough to make the most of an open run and comfortable enough to make you forget the clock. She is a day cruiser with real pace, built to a standard you feel in every surface, from the finish of the deck to the way she settles at speed. The layout is arranged for the way a day at sea actually unfolds, with space to lounge in the sun, gather for a drink and step down to the water when the anchor drops. Up to eleven guests share the day, looked after by a single crew member who keeps everything running quietly in the background. At just under seventeen metres she has genuine presence on the water while staying nimble enough to tuck into a smaller cove, and a top speed of forty-four knots keeps the whole coastline within easy reach. Jet skis and snorkelling gear are aboard for anyone who wants to explore beyond the swim platform. Sleek in profile and quietly confident under way, she is the kind of boat that looks the part and then delivers on it, without ever needing to say so. The distance between one anchorage and the next has rarely felt so short. The only real decision is where to begin.
