Continuing the trend begun by last year’s Hanse 545, the Hanse 495 combines comfort below with performance underway, while a retractable bow-thruster—part of the boat’s SMS (Smart Mooring System)—makes tying up at the end of the day a snap. The boat’s twin helm stations and low cabin trunk create excellent sight lines, while the drop-down swim step provides a great platform for cooling off in an
Light weight and good performance are hallmarks of the Catana line. This sporty new 50-footer benefits from the liberal use of carbon fiber, which allows laminates to be made thinner yet stronger. catana.com SPECS LOA: 49ft, 11.6in Beam: 26ft Displacement: 27,400lbs. Draft: 9ft, 8in Sail area: 1076sq ft,
Angelo Lavranos designed this South African-built catamaran for serious cruising, but kept performance in mind too. Construction is strong but light and the boat has already proven to be a fast, comfortable passagemaker. knysnayachtco.com SPECS LOA: 48ft LWL: 45ft, 2in Beam: 27ft Draft: 3ft, 11.5in
Built in Florida by Hake Yachts, the Seaward 46 is a fast variable-draft boat that can dry out on its twin rudders and retracting keel. It’s mainly intended for express cruising in thin water, but also has ocean-crossing capability. seawardyachts.com SPECS LOA: 48ft LWL: 44ft, 10in Beam: 13ft, 3in Displacement:
The Tartan 4700 combines a deck saloon configuration with a traditionally raked transom and handsome bow overhang to create a cruiser with good looks and comfortable accommodations belowdecks. The mast and boom are carbon fiber, and the hull is vacuum-infused with epoxy resin—both Tartan trademarks. tartanyachts.com SPECS LOA:
One of two new aft-cockpit designs from the venerable Moody yard on England’s River Hamble, the 45AC is a classic-looking cruiser that combines a traditional raked transom with a nearly plumb bow and a long, low cabintrunk. A tall fractional rig, fin keel and large, partially balanced spade rudder should ensure sprightly performance under sail.
The new-look Oceanis line has now expanded to four boats, with more to come. Designers Finot-Conq have focused on making the 45 user-friendly, with a small, easy-to-tack jib, a helm seat that lifts to reveal a wide-open transom, and voluminous accommodations in a hull designed to be well-mannered under sail.
This boat’s 50ft big sister was the star of the show at Annapolis last October. The Sense 43 shares the same sharp styling and daring interior treatment. Size apart, the main difference from the bigger Sense is that it can’t be specified with the optional Dock & Go joystick control. beneteauusa.com SPECS LOA: 43ft, 4in LWL:
With its modern lines and dramatic deck saloon configuration, which puts the cabin sole at the same level as the cockpit— la the typical cruising multihull—the Moody 45DS has been turning heads for a couple of years over in Europe. Now it’s headed for U.S. waters, where its nearly plumb stem and transom, dual rudders, twin wheels, spacious accommodations and unique approach to cruising are sure
Designed by Judel/Vrolijk, the Hanse 445 features the same aggressively angular look that is a hallmark of the current Hanse line. A plethora of hatches and a pair of large hull ports let plenty of light into the saloon. A self-tacking jib makes the boat easy to handle, while more than 1,000ft2 of working sail provides lots of horsepower on passage.
Log the Glass These days with weather forecasts available wherever there is WiFi, it doesn’t do to forget the old ways. Last season I was
This weekend saw the fourth annual Northeast Ocean Racing Symposium (NORS), held at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. The day of technical lectures and networking
Contributing Editor Christopher Birch’s much anticipated book The Four Seasons of Boat Maintenance is out now. Billed as “the maintenance manual that should have come
On March 1, the U.S. SailGP Team shook up the Grand Prix series and won the Sydney Sail Grand Prix, marking their first victory since
Lessons learned by others are a great guide when putting together a vacation to remember.
After being the Chief Designer at Tartan Yachts for 48 years, Tim Jackett has found a new home with Niche Watercraft. The company has announced
A trans-oceanic performance catamaran loads up on practical features and comforts of home.
A classic racing yacht, three weeks at sea, and eight crewmates you’ve never met. What could go wrong?
Editor’s Note: This story is excerpted from SAIL Contributing Editor Christopher Birch’s upcoming book The Four Seasons of Boat Maintenance(available for order soon)—a compendium of
Ever notice how sea stories just get better with the passage of time? The more years that disappear in the wake and the more times
