In its original incarnation Nautitech was a captive catamaran brand belonging to Dufour Yachts. For over a decade now, Nautitech has operated independently and has steadily shifted its production focus away from the bareboat charter market and toward private owners and active family cruisers.
On a crisp early-fall day, designer and builder Brian Bennett unfurled the self-tacking jib on the VX One Design prototype and we moved to the weather side, feet under the hiking straps, pulling the boat upright and effortlessly accelerating in the puffy northerly. Feedback from the mainsheet and the tiller told me to ease the main a bit. My first thought was, “Brian’s got it right with this design!”
In his famous novella Typhoon, sailor and author Joseph Conrad pokes fun at a character named Capt. MacWhirr who is obsessed with the quality of the door handles on the steamer Nan-Shan.
The Southerly range of beachable swing-keel cruisers from Britain’s Northshore Yachts has been consistently represented in the United States now for a number of years, which is a good thing, as there are many cruising grounds here where shoal-draft capability is a great advantage. Every time I sail a Southerly, I come away impressed by the utility offered by their ballasted swing keels and by the high quality of their design and construction
I have always admired Passport yachts for their beauty, performance and detailing, but stepping aboard the new Passport Vista 545 CC, SAIL’s 2012 Best Boat in the Flagship Monohull category, I felt an especially strong sense of déja vu. The boat not only shares a family resemblance to other Passports, but has the same hull and rig as the Passport 515 I sailed in 2008
Weaving through the throngs of boats anchored off Annapolis, Maryland, on the 14ft Topaz CX14, I felt like a kid again—a really giddy kid who had just scored a ride on a the coolest boat in the harbor.
Shot from the largest and latest in Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey line, the 509, we bring you a stem-to-stern look at how the editors of SAIL complete a boat review. Follow Charles Doane on the 509 as you learn how we measure and make sense of a brand new sailboat.
It’s funny how quickly things that once seemed revolutionary can become the norm. Created by Farr Yacht Design and BMW Group DesignworksUSA, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 comes standard with an in-mast furling main, fixed hull ports to help light the interior and a sturdy drop-down swim transom.
Nacra is a transatlantic brand, combining the design expertise of Morelli & Melvin in the United States with the cat racing expertise of Gunnar Larsen and Peter Vink at Nacra Europe and Performance Sails in Holland.
The last iteration of the Hunter 33, introduced in 2005, was a big hit for the Alachua, Florida company. Its balance of value, volume and performance struck a chord with sailors
The shortlist for Young Journalist of the Year has been released. Among them is SAIL’s Editor in Chief, Lydia Mullan.
Two industry giants are celebrating five decades this year. Here’s a look back at half a century on the water with Gori and Gill.
The Excess 13 is a true cruiser’s cruiser, designed for maximum comfort and enjoyment on the water. Pivoting away from VPLP and Patrick Le Quément
The latest from Dufour should help achieve the French builder’s goal of encouraging people to get on the water and sail, sail, sail.
SPONSORED: The First 30, Oceanis 47, and Oceanis 52 are all making their U.S. debuts this weekend. Join Beneteau’s Kevin Duchesne for a preview of
Breaking Down The Art of Breaking Down.
October 10, 1845 The U.S. Naval Academy was established in Annapolis, Maryland.
America’s largest all-sailing boat show starts today. The SAIL team is looking forward to a busy weekend full of new boats and old friends.
The Annapolis Sailboat Show starts tomorrow. SAIL is at F7, and we hope you’ll stop by for a visit!
An easy, friendly club boat with great potential.
