Every sailors perfect boat would be big enough to accommodate the whole family in luxury, perhaps 80 feet or so, and would have a draft of one or two feet for easy gunkholing, an efficient sail plan, good stability and speed, and mechanical aids for handling lines. The mast would lower easily to get under bridges. Oh, yes. It would not cost too much, would be beautiful to
If proof were needed of the high standard of modern production boatbuilding, Jeanneaus new flagship would be high on the list of exhibits. It features a bunch of nice detail touches that not too long ago would have been the preserve of much more expensive yachts. Philippe Briand drew the lines for this express cruiser, which combines a powerful triple-spreader rig, refined
Its great to see boatbuilders investing in smaller boats again, and this new baby of Jeanneaus North American range looks like just the thing for a young family. Shes a simple boat, with double cabins fore and aft and the possibility of sleeping two people amidships on the settees. The heads/shower looks to be a good size and theres a decent galley and a small nav table.
Fountaine-Pajots new model is available in three- or four-cabin layouts, and if you want to load up the boat with friends and family, the saloon (which can seat eight) and the large cockpit can hold a few more. The saloon and galley open into the large cockpit, which features a raised helm position. LOA 39ft 2in, LWL 38.8ft, beam 22ft 1in, draft 3ft 8in, displacement 16,755
Designed by German partners Judel/Vrolijk, who have been drawing fast raceboats for a generation, the Hanse 630 is a big, brash playground bully of a boat thatll muscle right through a typical cruising fleet. Quick and easily handled thanks to its big fully battened mainsail and self-tacking jib, the 630 also bears the stamp of Hanses inhouse design and styling department, which can be relied
Hunter Marines latest boat hadnt yet been launched as this issue went to press, so details were sketchy. We can surmise that the performance edge thats crept into the line over the last few years will continue with the 39, which has short overhangs and a long sailing waterline. A new direction in styling is also evident in the swoop of the cabintop portlights. Twin wheels,
Italys Cantiere del Pardo has been producing fast, handsome yachts for many years. The Grand Soleil 54 is the work of Luca Brenta, who has emerged as one of Italys leading yacht designers. Long, low and sleek, it is a performance cruiser that will also be a satisfying racing ride. Belowdecks there are three large sleeping cabins, each with en suite heads compartments, and
The breeze was mild, but still it made an impression to see Dave Bernsten walk away from the tiller of his 14-foot trimaran, step to the bow, fiddle with an adjustment, then mosey back aft and resume his duties at the helm. The moment speaks to the value proposition of the Weta as stable and forgiving, a viable family playground that will crank out speed thrills when the
There are certain things you can count on in a Catalina. It will sail well. Not like a world beater, but like an honest boat. It will be built to a price point, but not the lowest price point. And a Catalina will incorporate scads of the value-add notions of in-house designer Gerry Douglas, who also gleans ideas from endless conversations with Catalina owners.The new
Its been quite a year for Morris Yachts. In January the yard launched the baby of its daysailer line-up, the M29, and in May the new flagship, the M52, was gently lowered into the chilly Maine water. I sailed the $1.3m yacht two weeks after her launch.Like the other M-series boats the M29, M36, and M42 – the M52 is designed by legendary naval architects Sparkman &
A summer cruise in Maine becomes a whole new adventure when island hiking leads the way.
Toward evening on a summer’s day, there’s nothing like a quick spin around the harbor.
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
The Canary Islands has been home to generations of sailors who have competed through the most demanding circuits.
44 and 41-footers are on the horizon for Fountaine Pajot.
As a midocean pit stop, Bermuda’s beauty, history, congeniality, and delectable fish sandwiches make it
a hard place for sailors to leave.
This convertible speedster performs across the wind spectrum.
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
The final installment of this year’s web series is out now.
For many years I hated drilling stainless steel. It’s hard, it requires expensive cobalt or carbide bits and it takes a long time to drill.
