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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’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.
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
“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.
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.
The final night of a Bermuda passage is marked by fog and a restless imagination.
Spinnakers are too fun—and useful—to not take full advantage of, even when sailing shorthanded.
Newport’s 24-hour distance race hit a milestone anniversary this year, and with it a full range of conditions and challenges for the 35-boat strong fleet.
These spotlights can help sailors safely navigate at night.
The term “feeling blue” is commonly used to mean feeling melancholy or sad, but the phrase actually originates from which nautical usage?A) Homesickness felt by
Left for dead after a horrific shooting, a sailor defies all odds to return to the water.
On August 18, 1838, Lieutenant Charles Wilkes embarked on what became known as the U.S. Exploring Expedition—a major global voyage that significantly expanded scientific and
There are few boat projects more satisfying than repainting the topsides of a pretty boat. I did exactly that with my 1969 Cape Cod Knockabout
Growing up sailing a Shannon 38 with his family, a sailor and his dream boat are reunited after 27 years.
There’s nothing more beautiful than a sunset on the water, but unless you’re doing an overnight passage, you’ve got to pay the price for it
