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Boat Reviews

Outremer 5X

This stunning cat is the latest debutante from a French company known for its fast, sweet-sailing offshore boats. Designed by Van Peteghem Lauriot Prevost (also responsible for the AC45 catamarans), the boat displaces just 15 tons in cruising trim.

The Matrix 450

After Matrix Yachts’ president, Peter Wehrley, retired from his job as a structural engineer to operate charter boats in the Caribbean with his wife, Fiona, they soon saw the potential for a large catamaran in the charter trade. Peter’s son, Mark, also captains boats in the charter trade and has now joined the family firm. The Wehrleys’ extensive sailing experience is readily apparent in the Vision 450’s systems, layout and style.

The 2012 Dusseldorf Boat Show

Each January, boatbuilders, equipment manufacturers and just about everyone else involved with the European leisure marine industry descends on the German city of Dusseldorf, on the Rhine, for the ten-Day Boot show. So do a quarter of a million boating enthusiasts from all over the world, eager to see the latest developments in boats, gear, clothing and anything else to do with waterborne recreation. Peter Nielsen was there.

Beneteau Sense 43

This 43-foot offering doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as its big sister, the new Sense 50, but it does demonstrate that the Sense design concept can translate successfully into a significantly smaller hull.

The Seaward 46 RK

One of the most striking boats of the year has emerged from a small Florida yard. Designed by Nick Hake, president of Hake Yachts, the Seaward 46 is an innovative cruiser packed with interesting features.

Nautor Swan 66 FD

Back in 1998, when Finnish builder Nautor was acquired by Italian fashion magnate Leonardo Ferragamo, many Swan aficionados worried that the core values of this iconic breed of cruiser-racers would be lost in a blaze of Euro-finery. But the Italians have since done a superb job of injecting their own unique sense of style into the brand while also retaining Nautor’s strong

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409

Jeanneau’s Sun Odyssey 409 replaces the very successful Sun Odyssey 39i in the French builder’s fleet of performance cruising boats. With its angular styling and solid performance, the 409 won accolades as the 2011 European Yacht of the Year in the Family Cruisers category.

Hunter e36

The Hunter e36 feels right from the moment you step aboard and is somehow more than the sum of its parts. In both appearance and functionality, it works well and is a pleasure to sail. Construction The hull and deck on the e36 are standard for Hunter, with balsa coring above the waterline and solid fiberglass below. The layup includes a modified

Knysna 480

“Substantial” was my first thought when I stepped aboard the Knysna 480 at the Miami International Boat Show. This South African-built catamaran is obviously meant for serious cruising. And so confirmed owners Susan and Tim Mahoney, who chose the Knysna based on the reputation of the builder and their respect for designer Angelo Lavranos.

Arcona 460

I’ve often wished I had more time for a boat test, especially aboard a boat I liked. This wasn’t a problem, though, when I got a chance to sail the Swedish-built Arcona 460 Safir III this past summer.

Trivia

Today’s Trivia: Strike Out

Sail design has evolved over the centuries from square sails on tallships to triangular Bermuda rigs, back to the square-topped mains of today’s speedsters, and

A tropicbird visits offshore. Photo by Wendy Mitman Clarke

Cruising: Bermuda Bound

As a midocean pit stop, Bermuda’s beauty, history, congeniality, and delectable fish sandwiches make it
a hard place for sailors to leave.

Marion-Bermuda-and-glacial-Annapolis-Newport,-2048x

Light Air Blues

Between the slow Marion-Bermuda, a wind hole in the middle of the Transpac course, and glacial Annapolis-Newport, this summer has served up some real drifters

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