Germanys Bavaria Yachts, not long ago the 800-pound gorilla of European boatbuilding, took a pummeling during the recession. For years its philosophy of strict engineering practices and budget control had seen its value-priced cruising boats flying off the factory floor. By 2007 the factory was cranking out nearly 3,500 boats a year to feed a seemingly insatiable, mainly
According to designer Alan Johnstone, the brief for the new 36ft 6in J/111 one-design was for a boat that he and the rest of the J/Boats crew would want to sail—and it shows. During a recent daysail off Newport, Rhode Island, hull #1 reveled in picture perfect sailing conditions, with winds out of the east in the mid to high teens. Sailing to windward, the boat was balanced and easy to
Swedish builder Najad is known for combining sweet-sailing hulls with meticulously fitted-out interiors, and its new flagship continues that tradition. It is a powerful world cruiser that can easily be handled by a crew of two. <object
Established in 1993 on the Baltic coast of the former East Germany, Hanse Yachts has gone from strength to strength by building performance-oriented yachts at affordable prices. Having recently extended its production facilities, Hanse is now Germanys second largest boat builder after Bavaria. All its boats are designed by Judel and Vrolijk, a renowned team of naval architects that has had input
This design from Beneteau marks a new approach to accommodations and deck layout in a boat that’ll make an excellent coastal cruiser with offshore capability. Among the innovative features is a catamaran-like cockpit layout with a dinette opposite a conventional bench seat. SPECS: LOA: 49ft 15in BEAM: 15ft 9in DRAFT: 5ft 5in (std) 6ft 9in (shoal)
The second model in Jeanneau’s new Yacht range to reach these shores–the 57 made its debut last fall–this 53-footer is a spacious, well-appointed cruiser. A choice of four interior layouts with up to five cabins should suit just about any sailing preference, and a large rig and easily-driven hull form promise good performance.
Discovery Yachts’s first boat, the Discovery 55, was originally conceived as a one-off dreamboat for Sunsail Charters founder and single-handed transatlantic sailor John Charnley and his wife, Caroline. In creating the design, naval architect Ron Holland distilled all of the Charnleys’ experience and requirements into a world cruiser that could be easily handled by a couple.
Hanse’s new flagship ushers in a new look for the company’s big boats. A large, uncluttered foredeck and low-profile cabintop give it a purposeful air; the self-tacking job, big mainsail, roomy cockpit and bold interior styling are all Hanse trademarks.
The first thing you notice about this new 50-footer is its sleek styling, like a scaled-down version of the 58. The second is the fixed arch upon which the mainsheet is secured, thus keeping it out of the cockpit. The third is the open, inviting interior. A choice of layouts makes this boat equally at home cruising along a coastline or making long ocean
“Have you ever sailed on Lake Erie before?” Fred Hunger asks as he maneuvers his new Tartan 455 deckhouse sloop from the slip at the
This year’s Hospice Cup off Annapolis on September 19 saw 94 racing boats competing on three different courses, a record turnout of participants, and record
Next to sailing on a lovely beam reach or watching a sunset across an anchorage at happy hour, stories are the best things about time
Last year, we reviewed the new Hallberg-Rassy 400 and deemed it one of SAIL’s Top 10 Best Boats for 2023. Interestingly, it came to the
Editor’s Note: At 5 a.m. on September 19, 29-year-old Cole Brauer set off alone across the Atlantic. She is completing her final qualifying sail before
The new Italia Yachts 12.98 fits neatly between its big sister, the 14.98, and smaller sibling, the 11.98, in size, design, and purpose. While the
There are times when you need to ease sheets smartly, but on most self-tailing winches that means removing a winch handle, taking the line from
There are times when you need to ease sheets smartly, but on most self-tailing winches that means removing a winch handle, taking the line from
The Cruising Club of America (CCA) is a collection of 1,400 ocean sailors with extensive offshore seamanship, command experience, and a shared passion for making
Sahula rests at anchor just offshore of a deserted sandy islet and a comfortable swimming distance inshore of a fish-laden coral reef. Not another soul
