Sail Magazine

by Duncan Kent

Update Your Reefing

by Duncan Kent, Posted January 30, 2013

Traditionally, all sailboat mainsails were reefed by simply pulling down the reefing lines through cringles in the luff and leech of the mainsail, then securing the reefing pennants—often permanently attached to the mainsail—to the boom to tidy the sail up.

Mystery 35

by Duncan Kent, Posted April 26, 2012

The Mystery 35 from UK-based Cornish Crabber Boats is a traditional, hand-built fast cruiser that hails from an era when seaworthiness, handling and ride comfort were more important than interior volume and cockpit space. The design brief given to renowned designer Stephen Jones was to create a boat that had the looks of a classic, the performance of a racer and adequate accommodations to enable her to be cruised extensively.

Hanse 355

by Duncan Kent, Posted May 18, 2011

Launched in late 2010, the Hanse 355 sports a T-keel that makes her stiff, stable and impressively quick. There are a number of interior choices available that allow you to customize the layout, with either two or three cabins and numerous upholstery options.

Hanse 375 Cruiser

by Duncan Kent, Posted August 10, 2010

Established in 1993 on the Baltic coast of the former East Germany, Hanse Yachts has gone from strength to strength by building performance-oriented yachts at affordable prices. Having recently extended its production facilities, Hanse is now Germany’s second largest boat builder after Bavaria. All its boats are designed by Judel and Vrolijk, a renowned team of naval architects that has had input

Discovery 50

by Duncan Kent, Posted August 10, 2010

Discovery Yachts’s first boat, the Discovery 55, was originally conceived as a one-off dreamboat for Sunsail Charters founder and single-handed transatlantic sailor John Charnley and his wife, Caroline. In creating the design, naval architect Ron Holland distilled all of the Charnleys’ experience and requirements into a world cruiser that could be easily handled by a couple.

Delphia 40.3

by Duncan Kent, Posted August 4, 2010

This versatile midrange boat from Poland can be ordered with single or dual wheels, deep or shallow-draft keels, or with a swing keel. There are three layout options, one of which has four sleeping cabins.

Hanse 531

by Duncan Kent, Posted October 8, 2004

Hanse Yachts in Greifswald, in eastern Germany, was little heard of until the 1990s, when reunification allowed the yard to break into the worldwide production-boat market. Hanse has built fast cruising boats from 31 to 41 feet and recently launched its largest model, the 53-foot 531 that I tested off Cannes, France, this summer.On DeckThe 531's deck layout is