best sailing yacht 2022

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Best yachts of 2022: launches and announcements

• Sam Fortescue
• May 13, 2022

While COVID-19 might have cancelled boat shows, there are plenty of new launches to desire. Sam Fortescue rounds up the best yachts of 2022 so far

The Contest 49CS is billed as an aft cockpit boat. Credit: Contest Yachts

The best yachts of 2022 so far.

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that for two years, new boat launches have been few and far between.

But now boat builders are back in force and have recently announced a range of new launches from 30ft yachts for coastal and offshore sailing to fast cruisers and catamarans which are being billed as sustainable.

Sam Fortescue picks his favourites.

Garcia Exploration 60

True to brand, the 60 is a real expedition yacht

Nearing the end of a long build in Normandy, the flagship of Garcia’s Exploration range should be in the water late in the spring.

Built in gleaming aluminium, this is a profoundly capable centreboard explorer, with a price tag to match.

Jimmy Cornell provided input and profile for the first in this range, a 45-footer.

The go-anywhere yacht is luxurious below

A raised saloon with 270º views, well protected doghouse cockpit, aft gantry and cutter rig were integral features of this go-anywhere yacht.

The Exploration 60 takes the concept to a more luxurious conclusion. Isabelle Racoupeau’s interior makes the most of the vast full-beam cabin aft, with elegant cabinetry and neutral upholstery.

There’s also an option for a forward owner cabin with walk-in dressing room. Either way, there is room for a dedicated technical space – a workshop or office, perhaps.

Specifications

Price: TBC LOA: 18.27m (59ft 11in) LWL: 16.77m (55ft) Cabins: 2-3 Beam: 5.40m (17ft 9in) Draught: 1.50-3.65m (4ft 11in-12ft) Displacement: 35,000kg (77,161Lb) Contact: Garcia Yachts Tel: +33 2 33 43 22 20 Website: www.garciaychts.com

X-Yachts X56

A reaching sail can be set from the integral bowsprit

Though first launched in 2021, we haven’t had a chance to see much of the latest design from X-Yachts.

The X56 is the brand’s flagship, designed for serious cruising.

Layup is with glass and epoxy resin, vacuum-infused and cured for 24 hours at high temperatures for optimum stiffness and minimum weight.

A light and powerful hull and rig

Rod rigging is standard, and there’s the option of a carbon mast as well as a roller-furling boom.

A fixed bowsprit provides room for a reaching sail on a second headstay and a gennaker.

The interior is all delightfully clean Scandi lines in a choice of oak or teak, as you’d hope, although there are lots of other options here for the finish.

Choose from an open or closed galley and enjoy the large chart table and flexible aft cabins.

Price: £1,063,900 ex-VAT LOA: 16.58m (54ft 5in) LWL: 14.94m (49ft) Cabins: 4 Beam: 4.89m (16 ft1in) Draught: 2.50-3.30m (8ft 2in-10ft 10in) Displacement: 18,800kg (41,446Lbs) Contact: X-Yachts GB Tel: +44 (0)23 8045 3377 Website: www.x-yachts.com

Contest 49CS

The high-quality build uses one-shot vacuum infusion. Credit: Contest Yachts

The new 49CS is only the second in the range to depart from Contest’s tried-and-tested centre cockpit design – following its entry-level 42-footer.

Billed as an aft cockpit boat, the 49CS is really more of a hybrid design, with a long aft deck but sheltered helm stations well in board and amazing height in the aft cabins below.

Contest yachts are known for their high-quality build, and the 49CS is no exception, using one-shot vacuum infusion.

At more than 20 tonnes it is not a light boat, but it would make an excellent base for a round-the-world trip, with its forward cockpit and tender garage in the transom.

There is exception headroom below deck. Credit: Contest Yachts

Being a Dutch-built yacht, headroom is generous, and the interior styling by Wetzel Brown has a sophisticated feel to it, with lots of textures, light coloured woods and neutral upholstery.

The saloon is semi-raised under the deckhouse, giving exterior views from the dining table.

A master cabin fills the forward third of the boat, and there are two double or twin cabins aft.

The galley lies down some steps on the port side.

Contest is unique in that its boats are certified by Lloyd’s Register.

Price: €1,198,000 ex-VAT LOA: 15.20m (49ft 10in) Cabins: 3 Beam: 4.90m (16 ft1in) Draught: 2.35m (7ft 9in) Displacement: 21,500kg (47,399Lbs) Contact: Contest Yachts Tel: +31 227 543 644 Website: www.contestyachts.com

Best new yachts under £500,000

The Pointer 30 has a large sailplan totalling 46m2. Credit: Pointer Yachts

Niche Dutch shipyard Jachtwerf Heeg is expanding its successful Pointer range with the launch of a new 30-footer.

It is the largest Pointer to date, and the largest for the yard, which has specialised for more than 60 years in building small open boats and race boats for local conditions in GRP . The Pointer brand launched in 2014.

The boat has modern hull lines with a plumb bow, a bowsprit and decent interior space.

It has been designed for coastal and offshore sailing, with a large sailplan totalling 46m2 upwind and a shallow draught.

The options list includes all the usual cruising kit. Credit: Pointer Yachts

There is room for eight in the cockpit, but the boat is also designed for singlehanded sailing . Choose between a tiller or a wheel on a tilting pedestal.

There is a bathing platform aft, a comfy saloon, a long bench and a ‘coffee bar’.

It has a fresh-water system, a fridge and a gas hob.

There is a separate heads and a V-berth in the focsle, plus two quarter berths off the saloon.

Price: from €150,000 inc VAT and sails LOA: 9.20m (30ft 2in) Cabins: 1 (4 berths) Beam: 2.90m (9ft 6in) Draught: 1.25m/1.75m (4ft 1in/5ft 9in) Displacement: 2,400kg (5,291Lb) Contact: Jachtwerf Heeg Tel: +31 (0) 515 44 22 37 Website: www.jachtwerf-heeg.nl

With a low displacement for her size, the E6 will be very interactive when sailing. Credit: Elan

Hull one of this new 50ft model has just been launched in the yard’s home waters of the Slovenian Adriatic.

She is the largest of the performance cruising E-line, with a new hull designed by Rob Humphreys.

His design includes an aft chine for extra volume and stability.

‘She will have a real turn of speed in comparison to the GT6, even though they share some similar initial characteristics,’ says UK dealer Tim Norris at Boatpoint.

‘The E6 will have a low displacement for her size, so will be interactive when sailing. She has been set up like all Elans for relatively easy shorthanded sailing .’

Twin rudders aft contribute to her excellent directional stability. Credit: Elan

The lay-up uses e-Glass and vinylester, vacuum-infused for strength and light weight.

There is a fixed bowsprit for launching big sails and twin rudders aft for optimum efficiency on the heel.

It all combines to reduce the tendency to broach and pitch while giving excellent directional stability.

Below deck, Pininfarina has tried to create an enticing but practical interior, which Norris describes as ‘a little more minimalist compared the GT6, with a fairly traditional layout’.

The styling is in natural oak veneer with neutral grey upholstery.

There is the choice of three or four cabins – two doubles aft and a master cabin with a semi-island bed in the focsle, or a V-berth forward and bunks instead of storage space.

There is a decent L-shaped galley amidships.

Price: £460,000 inc VAT LOA: 15.30m (50 ft 2in) LWL: 13.68m (44ft 11in) Cabins: 3-4 Beam: 4.49m (14ft 9in) Draught: 2.80m (9ft 2in) Displacement: 11,250kg (24,802Lb) Contact: Boatpoint Hamble Tel: +44 2382 120 000 Website: www.boatpoint.co.uk

The 1380 will be RM’s largest cruiser. Credit: RM

France’s RM famously builds its yachts in plywood and epoxy, and claims that the new 1380 will be the largest such cruiser ever built.

The hull is designed by Marc Lombard, with racy lines and blue-water capabilities.

She should be a fast yacht when she hits the water, with a rig that allows a downwind sail and a second headstay, thanks to the long bowsprit.

The boat has twin rudders and underwater choices including bilge keels and a high-performance lifting keel.

The transom conceals a bathing platform. Credit: RM

Below, the interior is a matter of choice, but typically minimal.

Various configurations are possible, but the Owner’s version puts a large cabin in the forepeak.

There are two heads/shower rooms and a semi-horseshoe galley to port.

The first hull is due to be built in April 2022.

Price: €357,000 ex-VAT LOA: 13.30m (43ft 8in) LWL: 12.44m (40ft 10in) Cabins: 2-4 Beam: 4.53m (14ft 10in) Draught: 1.45m-3.35m (4ft 9in/11ft) Displacement: 9,800kg (21,605Lb) Contact: Parkstone Bay Yachts Tel: +44 (0)1202 724917 Website: www.parkstonebayyachts.co.uk

Stiff, light and fast, but built for offshore rather than round the cans

J/Boats are renowned as the staple of many club racing circuits, but the latest launch is a different beast altogether – a 45ft blue-water cruiser with all the trimmings.

Built in e-Glass and vinylester sandwich construction, it is a staggeringly light hull with a high ballast ratio that promises stiff handling in heavy seas.

With a decent spread of canvas, the J/45 is reported to sail well in as little as 6 knots of breeze.

J Boats is keen to underline how the rig is set up for easy tuning and reefing , so that the same sail combination is also perfectly manageable in 20 knots, with no sail change required.

More comfort than other J-Boats

I suspect this is something most blue-water sailors would expect.

However, there is no doubt this is a capable boat, with lots of handy options, including a bathing platform.

The elegant interior is designed by Isabelle Racoupeau with three choices of joinery: white oak, teak or walnut.

You can choose to convert the third cabin aft into a technical storage space accessed through the heads and from on deck.

Price: £414,888 ex-VAT LOA: 13.85m (45ft 5in) LWL: 12.56m (41ft 2in) Cabins: 2-3 Beam: 4.25m (13ft 11in) Draught: 2.30m (7ft 7in) Displacement: 9,900kg (21,825Lb) Contact: Key Yachting Tel: +44 (0)23 8045 5669 Website: www.keyyachting.com

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Best new catamarans in 2022

The XCS 14 displays the brand’s key features such as a low boom and a forward-stepped mast. Credit: Excess Catamarans

Groupe Beneteau continues to expand its Excess catamaran venture, aimed at younger owners who want a fun connection to the water, without a sky-high price tag.

VPLP has drawn on its ocean racing experience, designing asymmetric hulls, foam-sandwich hull layup and higher bridgedeck clearance to reduce slamming.

A towering square-topped main and an overlapping genoa round out a fairly generous 118m2 of upwind sail area, although bear in mind this is a heavy boat.

Helm stations are pushed out to the quarters at deck level. Credit: Excess Catamarans

Semi-island double berths at the aft end of each hull give a touch of luxury, and the whole starboard hull can be devoted to the owner, with a walk-in dressing room in the bow.

Simple but attractive interior styling has been well executed by Nauta.

Price: TBC LOA: 13.34m (43ft 9in) Cabins: 3-4 Beam: 7.87m (25ft 10in) Draught: 1.48m (4ft 10in) Displacement: Max 18,300kg (40,344Lb) Contact: Ancasta Tel: +44 (0)2380 450 000 Website: www.ancasta.com

Lagoon’s sustainable technology uses hemp fibre instead of glass and biosourced polyester resins. Credit: Lagoon

Due to be unveiled at the Grande Motte Multihull show from 20-24 April 2022, the Lagoon 51 is still partly shrouded in secrecy.

The shipyard has billed it as a more sustainable yacht, with better on-board circulation and ‘great fluidity’, which sounds like a byword for more open spaces.

Like all recent Lagoons, it has been designed by the multihull experts at VPLP, who had this to say about the boat: ‘We designed the Lagoon 51 as a perfect synthesis of the modernity of the shapes and the sail plan, with living space on deck and inside that is unequalled on a boat this size.’

What we can already tell from early renderings is that the flybridge uses much more space on the coachroof than the previous Lagoon 50.

This includes a C-shaped lounge with a drop-down table as well as twin sunpads.

The helm station is positioned centrally behind the mast. Credit: Lagoon

A dedicated forward cockpit gives great lounging up front, with deep sofas, a table and the option of teak underfoot.

Renderings appear to show an opening saloon window for passing supplies out to those using this space.

A new-generation interior dispenses with the mast beam down the middle of the saloon, by positioning it further forward.

Acres of glass makes this a luminous space, with an L-shaped galley to port and a raised dining area forward which benefits from the views.

Lagoon is driving for sustainability, using hemp fibre, Alpi wood and offering 3.4kW of solar panels.

She is even delivered with biodegradable cleaning products!

Price: TBC LOA: 15.35m (50ft 4in) Cabins: 3-6 Beam: 8.1m (26ft 7in) Draught: 1.38m (4ft 6in) Contact: Ancasta Tel: +44 2380 450 000 Website: www.ancasta.com

60% of the aluminium for the hull comes from recycled material. Credit: Vaan

One of a crop of new catamaran brands coming through at the moment, Vaan is distinguished by its obsessive focus on combining performance with sustainability.

Its first model, the R4, was launched before Christmas and will be on show at La Grande Motte in April 2022.

The hull is made from aluminium, up to 60% of which is sourced from recycled metal obtained from old window frames and road signs.

Vaan founder Igor Kluin is absolutely clear that this is a more sustainable option than building in non-recyclable GRP.

Decking is crafted from cork, while the modern, uncluttered interior makes use of plant-based Lyocell fabric and a leather alternative made from pineapple leaves.

Plant-based materials are used in the interior. Credit: Vaan

The exterior design is different to other cats, too. Kluin calls it a ‘cabriolet’ because there is only a narrow band of solid coachroof over the cockpit, leaving the rest open.

A fabric bimini can be quickly installed if further protection is needed, but the principle is to make this space as open as possible.

Helm stations are moved to the two well-protected quarters.

Propulsion comes from two 10kW Torqeedo electric pod drives, hooked up to either 20kWh or 40kWh of lithium-ion batteries .

Vaan claims that this is equivalent to 40hp combustion engines.

Under sail, the drives regenerate power to recharge the batteries.

Price: €429,000 ex-VAT LOA: 12.80m (42ft) LWL: 12.80m (42ft) Cabins: 2-4 Beam: 7.06m (23ft 2in) Draught: 1.35m (4ft 5in) Displacement: 10,900kg (26,235Lb) Contact: Vaan Yachts Tel: +31 (0)85 071 9999 Website: www.vaanyachts.nlv

Fountaine-Pajot 51

A larger-than-average flybridge houses the helmstation. Credit: Fountaine-Pajot

A capable, well-designed catamaran from the La Rochelle-based builder, the new 51 features a deck design that makes the interior saloon and exterior cockpit work together.

The glass panels of the rear wall of the saloon slide completely to either side, while the deck is flush, connecting the galley directly with the eight-person saloon table.

The helmstation is bulkhead-mounted, with a larger-than-ever flybridge set around it.

All the control lines return to the three winches here, for easy handling.

And the coachroof is inlaid with a generous 2kW of solar panels.

The interior saloon and exterior cockpit are designed to join seamlessly. Credit: Fountaine-Pajot

There’s also a foredeck lounge, private cabin exits and a lowering aft platform.

Configuration below is flexible, with the possibility of four to six double cabins with ensuite heads.

In the Maestro version, the entire port hull can be dedicated to the owner’s accommodation, while the double Maestro puts twin VIP cabins aft in each hull.

The navigation area lies right by the aft doors of the saloon, where it’s within easy reach of the helm.

Price: €865,311 ex-VAT LOA: 15.54m (51ft) Cabins: 4-6 Beam: 8.08m (26ft 7in) Draught: 1.3m (4ft 3in) Displacement: 18,100kg (39,903Lb) Contact: MiCats Tel: +44 (0)1489 573 059 Website: www.multihull.co.uk

Privilege Signature 650

Serious multihull luxury, for serious money

Replacing the old Series 640 catamaran, Privilege’s new Signature 650 features an all-new deck moulding and interior on a tried and tested hull shape from Marc Lombard.

The boat offers greater interior volumes, with two or three guest cabins as well as a skipper’s berth and a cavernous owner’s suite filling the space in the rostrum and the port bow.

Headroom is excellent, thanks to a higher deck moulding, which also now offers forward-facing windows in the owner’s cabin.

On the outside, this also creates a teak-decked lounge area forward of the enlarged saloon windows that is sheltered and private from the outside world.

There’s a gigantic flybridge with an enlarged C-lounge and an optional second helm station to port.

A hydraulic platform can lift a large tender

The cockpit beneath offers dining, sun beds and the option of a barbecue and fridge.

A redesigned hydraulic platform aft can raise an 800kg tender.

Affording the boat with a few extra centimetres on the rig has added 6m2 to the sail area, which now accounts for 232m2.

All the control lines are led back to the helm.

Price: €2.49m ex-VAT LOA: 21.25m (69ft 9in) Cabins: 4-5 Beam: 9.20m (30ft 2in) Draught: 1.85m (6ft 1in) Displacement: 37,000kg (81,157Lb) Contact: Inspiration Marine Tel: +44 (0)2380 457 008 Website: www.inspirationmarine.co.uk

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Best family yacht: our pick of the best yachts for sailing with the family

• Toby Hodges
• March 7, 2024

Toby Hodges takes a look at all the nominees and the winner of the best family yacht category in the European Yacht of the Year Awards

There are many categories in the European Yacht of the Year awards, from the  best luxury yachts  to  performance yachts . But some of the most hotly-anticipated options come when it is time to choose the nominees and winner in the best family yacht category.

The European Yacht of the Year awards are selected by a broad panel of expert judges from across the globe. These are people who spend their professional lives sailing and comparing yachts, so you can be certain that the yachts which stand out in this field are truly the best of the best on the market for those looking to set out with the whole family in tow.

A crop of the latest 35-45ft mainstream production yachts, including the ultra spacious Dufour 41 and the smaller sister to the award-winning Hanse 460, plus a couple of less well known yachts, made for a dynamic grouping this year when it comes to picking the best family yachts 2024.

In this, the most competitive size bracket for volume production yachts, there was plenty to like, but two models stood out: the RM and the Bavaria. The former because it’s different and fills an interesting niche that crosses fast cruising with family sailing, from coastal and shoal draught to bluewater sailing ability; the Bavaria because it masters that mix of deck and interior space, performance and handling in a well finished package.

Winner of the best family yacht 2024 – Bavaria C46

The Bavaria and Cossutti Yacht Design relationship continues to flourish and produce standout results in its second generation. The C46’s modern, full shape brings vast deck and accommodation space yet manages to do so on a hull which really performs for its size, and rewards the helmsman with direct feedback.

During my trial we had a good mix of conditions and were able to push the boat, a voluminous hull which becomes reactive once the breeze threatens double figures. We were able to press it during a rain squall, hitting 12 knots in 18 under gennaker, and maintained lengthy double digit spells during some enjoyable sporty sailing. Bear in mind this is a single-rudder boat, yet it still didn’t overpower or lose its grip. It’s impressive, especially given the exceptionally low ballast ratio (20%), which shows the reliance on form stability.

“The chine is a bit higher than the C42 and we tried to make the wetted surface as small as possible,” Maurizio Cossutti told me during our trial. The keel is also comparatively lighter, slimmer and deeper for a sporty feel. It’s clear the German yard has really poured its engineering energy and might into this build – from design to engineering to finish quality, the perceived richness of the C46 stands out (although dressed with over €200,000 of options, this is still no mean feat in a mass production size and brand). So much so that other big yards may struggle to compete.

You could argue the Dufour 41 does that to some extent, but here the emphasis is slightly more skewed towards volume, while it doesn’t quite match the Bavaria for the overall engineering and finish quality. Felci somehow managed to swell the forward sections enough to allow the Dufour to be the first 40-footer to offer four cabins, including two doubles forward. We then learned in September that Dufour had signed a new contract to supply Sunsail charter yachts, which helps explain the draw of all this extra accommodation space.

The price for this is extra weight. Although equipped with a tall rig, the 41 only becomes reactive once the breeze is up to the mid teens, where it can lean onto a chine and employ its generous form stability. But for those after volume, max deck lounging space and a bright spacious interior for multiple guests, it’s a hard model to compete with at this size (full report in YW September 2023 and online).

On paper the Hanse 410 should perhaps have challenged the Bavaria more. It’s the latest in Hanse’s new collaboration with Berret-Racoupeau, follows on from the larger sister 460 which won this category in 2022, and shares that appealing modern hull shape. It showed respectable performance and figures, and proved easy to manage short-handed, thanks to the self-tacking jib and winches positioned to hand.

A halyard issue with the mainsail and a tangled sock for the kite curtailed my sail trials somewhat. We also found the cockpit quite busy, particularly the winch layout, although it is nice and deep for protecting its crew. It makes you query why you need two tables on a 40-footer – until you see them lowered to create sun beds, that is!

Stand out features from the interior were the number of stowage solutions, particularly on the two-cabin test boat. Offered as two or three cabins with one or two heads, the former provides a huge amount of stowage accessible from the cockpit or interior. There’s more in the galley and a multifunction space in the saloon, which can be a full length sofa berth, a proper chart table, or a standing desk with storage below.

Beneteau Oceanis 37.1

The Beneteau Oceanis 37.1 is also all about easy sailing and handling, and proved to be a fun, manageable sized cruiser, particularly the First Line option we tried, which increases sail area with a square-top main and flat deck furler. While certainly an accessible yacht, it perhaps comes across as a little basic. This is the last Oceanis in the new generation eight-boat range between 30ft and 60ft, so the focus is more on evolution than the revolution of its early predecessors. Hence the two- or three-cabin interior seemed a little unremarkable when viewed against the opposition.

The same could not be said for the RM 1380, particularly when you step down the companionway – which doesn’t really feel like going below decks on a conventional monohull as it’s so naturally bright in the raised saloon and helps you appreciate your surroundings. So much so it’s more like being on a multihull. The doorways are a little tight, but the double cabins are of good size thanks in part to the generous beam. The standard two-cabin layout has a practical utility space in place of the optional third cabin.

I’ve long appreciated the plywood epoxy technique RM uses for its hulls, together with the powerful form stability Lombard’s design brings. This comes with the choice of keels, including the shoal draught options of a lifting centreboard or efficient twin keels. We tried the latter and the result on the water is in keeping with the sporty looks: it’s an enjoyable mid-displacement cruiser to sail from the aft quarters. Then there’s the superb winch layout, which sees the primaries positioned inboard for use standing under the protection of the coachoof and sprayhood. For offshore sailing the open transom can be closed off with a platform. It’s not perfect, but the RM is intriguing and versatile.

Elan Impression 43

Another memorable interior is to be found on the Elan Impression 43. The rustic knotted oak finish is unique, the only option Elan offers and something the Slovenian yard wanted style gurus Pininfarina to maintain to identify it from the sportier ranges. Personally, I like the strong focus on timber as it helps showcase Elan’s heritage, but appreciate it won’t suit all tastes.

These mid size Impressions are the mainstay of Elan’s sailing range, the family and charter staples for the Med. This Humphreys-designed update has a modernised shape, but retains the older style and the hull rocker to keep a soft, smooth sailing experience. It’s rigged with a genoa or self tacker and two to four winches. Although somewhat unremarkable in terms of sailing performance, it fits its purpose, while the increased aft beam allows for larger aft cabins and a service tunnel between them.

In an age where we need to focus on making things last, my preconceptions of the Maxus 35 revolved around questioning the need for a lower budget Polish build. Why not just buy a proven second-hand yacht? That said, the Northman shipyard has done a respectable job on this, the largest Maxus yet, in terms of the build and finish for the price. It feels solid throughout, the interior is light and inviting and it is worth consideration as an entry level yacht with reasonable accommodation.

I can also see some appeal of the centreboard design for lake sailing. However there was little to take home with regards to the design or sailing experience, so my conclusions mirror my first thoughts.Best family yacht 2023

Best family yacht 2023

Best family yacht winner – linjett 39.

This is quite possibly the best boat you haven’t heard of. The 39 offers easy, fast family cruising and occasional racing in luxurious comfort and proves that classic needn’t be old fashioned.

Linjett exudes Scandi heritage: a third generation 50-year-old brand, it’s run by three brothers and has built 900 yachts from its Rosättra yard in Sweden, which dates from to the 19th Century. Its business model is based on long production runs – think evergreen rather than trendy. Linjett not only designs, engineers and builds its own boats, but services and maintains them too, with 220 in winter storage. It also now produces the high performance Shogun Yachts in carbon epoxy, which hints at the skill levels of its infusion techniques.

A telling result at sea is how quiet the yacht is. Sturdy and stable, it instils instant confidence and proved a delight to sail. We had some very pleasant upwind beats, pointing high, and some lively reaching, hitting double figures a few times while pushing it under 150m2 gennaker in waves. The Linjett is set up to easily short-hand it too, with two winches and a bank of clutches each side positioned aft in reach of the helm.

The interior is offered with two or three cabins and the latter we saw had an excellent layout, including separate shower/wet hanging compartment aft. Joiner work is first class, with traditional mahogany used as standard, or the more contemporary European Oak on the test boat.

This is a premium yacht, but you get what you pay for. It will surprise most and ensure everyone steps ashore smiling. See our full review next month.

The Dufour 37 may be shorter than the old 360, but Dufour was reluctant to brand this 37 as smaller because its modern, broadened hull shape has resulted in an enlarged deck space, cockpit and owner’s cabin. Felci has designed a clever hull that sails well with good performance for its (34ft) size. The aft quarters behind the helms feel compact to maximise cockpit size, but proved comfortable enough to sail from. The primaries are in reach of the helm and we liked the lightweight, low friction jib sheet adjusters.

The 37 is offered in Easy (two winch), Ocean (cruising), or Performance versions and with a two- or three- cabin layout. The test boat was the most popular Ocean model, although it had €100,000 worth of optional extras including sails, engine and bow thruster, resulting in an expensive yacht for its length.

For those who recognise the Bente name, we previously featured it in detail in 2015 when it burst onto the scene with an innovative and affordable new 24-footer (around 150 of which have been built in Poland). We then tested its 39 in 2019, a year before the yard then filed for bankruptcy. But it’s now back under new ownership with this really impressive and more refined Bente 28, again by Judel/Vrolijk.

It’s a fun yacht to sail, easy to short-hand, with sprightly performance, especially when reaching. The coachroof is part of the deck structure and proves crucial in providing light, space and headroom below in an ergonomic interior that has been very well thought out.

All in all it’s a great compact, entry-level cruiser, with a practical, well protected cockpit.

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2022 Boat of the Year: Best Dinghy

• By Dave Reed
• December 17, 2021

Sailing World Magazine’s annual Boat of the Year tests are conducted in Annapolis, Maryland, following the US Sailboat Show. With independent judges exhaustively inspecting the boats on land and putting them through their paces on the water, this year’s fleet of new performance-sailing boats spanned from small dinghies to high-tech bluewater catamarans. Here’s the best of the best from our 2022 Boat of the Year nominees »

Skeptics be warned: The Happy Cat Hurricane is legit. This is the unanimous assessment from our Boat of the Year judging squad after sailing the surprisingly quick and nimble 16-foot inflatable catamaran in 10 knots of breeze. While it delivers exhilarating sailing, it’s much more than a recreational rubber dinghy—it’s an adventure craft, a portable sailboat, a pontoon motorboat, a lazy-river drifter, or anything you want it to be once it’s pumped and splashed.

Grabner is an Austrian manufacturer of all types of inflatable watercraft, which the company has been building since the mid-1980s. The Happy Cat Hurricane came online in 2017, and a carbon-mast version was added in 2019. The Hurricane Carbon, which the judges tested, is the company’s flagship go-fun craft, and apparently, it can’t make them fast enough.

We racers know fiberglass better than we do rubber, but Alex Caslow, of Redbeard Sailing in Baltimore (the US importer), says Grabner’s vulcanized rubber is “tire-quality” and sourced from Continental. All of the Happy Cat’s tubes, he adds, are handmade, glued and welded in Austria, producing high-quality hulls that should last at least 20 years. There’s a seven-year warranty on the hulls, he says, but should you ever need to, $2,000 is your replacement price (per hull). The all-up price for a new boat, with everything you need to go racing or gunkholing, is currently $15,000.

The magic to keeping the Happy Cat’s tubular platform stiff is the anodized aluminum frame that holds it all together. Tension cables crisscrossed beneath the trampolines provide additional stiffness in waves. The frame also serves as attachment points for the trampolines, which are clipped on rather than laced like most catamaran tramps.

The boat, Caslow says, can be assembled in roughly 40 minutes—from taken out of the storage bags to inflated and sails hoisted. Upgrading from the standard manual pump to a 12-volt air pump accelerates the process, of course.

Bags? That’s right. The entire boat and rig fit into four bags collectively small enough to transport in the average-size car trunk. This portability is its primary selling point, especially in Europe, where hundreds of owners and devotees regularly gather to rally and raid on alpine lakes and coastal enclaves. Its second selling point is that it sails as well as most fiberglass recreational catamarans.

“It definitely caught my eye when we first walked up to it,” Chuck Allen says. “The bright-red hulls, the carbon rig, all the ropes, but especially the interesting setup with the rudder and centerboard being on centerline. I’d never sailed a catamaran with a centerboard.

“The hulls are really firm—they feel just like a RIB tube, and all the aluminum framing and wires are nice quality. I was really curious how it would sail, and believe it or not, it sailed like a champ.”

Greg Stewart says his first impression was one of skepticism as well. “It seemed like it would be one of those boats that looked cool on land but would let us down, but it didn’t at all. It sailed amazingly. It tacked well enough that I didn’t have to backwind the jib, and got up to speed again quickly.”

The ability to tack it like a dinghy, Stewart says, is because of the centerboard and because the rudder is mounted in the best place possible. “What makes it steer so well is the rudder is so far aft, which gives you a nice turning moment between it and the centerboard.”

The centerboard has up/down lines that are led to the front beam and cam cleats, but there is a breaker line in case you get into shallow waters. The centerboard casing also acts as an anchor point for the dolphin striker.

The reverse “wave-piercing” bows have a lot of buoyancy down low, Stewart adds. When he was sailing upwind through chop, they “just want to lift and rise up over the wave.” If flying a hull gets a bit too unnerving, he says, a small ease on the mainsheet or a slight bear away makes the boat settle right down with a soft and pillowy landing. Stewart forgot to conduct the obligatory capsize test, but he said afterward that the boat tended to simply slip sideways if the weather hull got too high. The optional masthead float, however, would be a good choice for peace of mind, he says.

“There’s a great sensation of speed,” Powlison reports, especially with the 91-square-foot gennaker. “The Velocitek SpeedPuck that was on the boat was reading 10 to 11 knots regularly, and it wasn’t hard at all to tack or jibe either. The spinnaker clew is pretty high, and the boomless square-top mainsail (124 square feet) makes it really easy to get across the boat.”

“This boat rips,” was Allen’s final assessment. He gave it high marks all around, but what ultimately stole his favor was a browse through Grabner’s catalog, which showcased the Happy Cat’s versatility: Leave the mast in its bag, erect the optional sun awning, and slap on the outboard motor bracket to transform it into an outboard-powered exploration craft and swimming platform. Or strap on extra fore and aft trampolines, load the boat up with camping gear in dry bags, and explore new places.

“Its biggest appeal really is its portability,” Stewart says. “If you don’t have easy access to a yacht club or storage near the water, you can easily keep this in the garage or apartment without taking up much space at all. Throw it in the car and take it wherever you want.”

Assembly, Caslow says, is simple and quick once the hulls are inflated. The tubes slide into grooves in the frame, tension cables are clipped on with carabiners, the trampoline is strapped on, and the mast can be raised by one person once it’s pinned onto the ball joint.

When it’s assembled, the Hurricane Carbon is only 175 pounds, but it is still a bit unwieldy for solo ramp launching. For this particular challenge, Grabner offers flip-up “slip wheels” that mount to the aft beam and stay on the boat while sailing. With your standard big-wheeled catamaran dolly, however, it’s easy to move around and beach-launch. And once you’re underway and zipping along, crew extended on the wire and the soft bounce of the hull on your bottom, you’ll just want to keep on sailing—happy as a cat on nip.

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Perseverance 1: On board BOAT International's Sailing Yacht of the Year 2022

A classic profile belies the immense technical innovations found on board this award-winning sailing yacht. Risa Merl peeks inside Perseverance 1

When it comes to Baltic Yachts ’ 35.8-metre Perseverance 1 , what you see is not entirely what you get. Beneath her classically inspired yet restrained exterior is a wealth of high-tech innovations aimed at maximising performance and reducing energy consumption. She epitomises a winning blend of style and substance – so much so that she has earned multiple accolades, including being crowned Sailing Yacht of the Year at the 2022 World Superyacht Awards .

The owner’s previous yacht was a Dykstra 60, an 18-metre pilot cutter designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and launched at Claasen Shipyards in 2013. The brief for this smaller Perseverance was for a comfortable performance yacht with traditional exterior lines. The yacht was made to sail easily with minimal crew, and the owner, who has a passion for technology, also wanted to be able to easily carry out maintenance on all onboard systems himself.

The new yacht levels up these aims inside a much larger envelope; the owner stepped up nearly 20 metres in length. “The brief was to upscale the previous Dykstra 60 to a more modern, lightweight, high-performance superyacht, with an in-depth focus on and attention to energy consumption on board,” says Ryan Taylor, Perseverance 1 ’s captain.

The design was very much owner-driven.  The owner is an experienced yachtsman who chartered several larger sailing yachts to gain insight into what he liked before embarking on the new build.

“The client knew exactly what he wanted to achieve – this made for a very clear design brief from day one,” says Erik Wassen, senior designer at Dykstra Naval Architects. The owner, he continues, wished for “a very functional sailing yacht that would be responsive in light [Mediterranean] conditions but suitable for passagemaking worldwide, with easily adjustable sail configurations to match changing conditions. The exterior was to be classically elegant – pilot cutter-style with restrained looks, but a bold edge.”

The owner made it clear at the time of the Dykstra 60’s launch that, if he were to build another yacht, he would use the same design team, and he was true to his word for his first foray into the superyacht sphere. Dykstra penned the exterior and provided the naval architecture, while deVosdeVries Design once again created the interior. The two teams worked in concert on the general arrangement, space planning for long-range trips and the ability to charter. The band was back together, with the addition of a new member – Finland’s Baltic Yachts was chosen as the builder.

“Dykstra had several designs of varying sizes on their drawing board from which we started our discussions, which were quite technical from the start. [The owner’s] maritime and engineering background meant there was a lot of technical interest and knowledge brought to the project,” says Henry Hawkins, executive vice president  of Baltic Yachts. “Built for a true sailor, the boat had to sail well and be easily driven. Energy efficiency was a key topic also.”

Of course, sailing yachts are already a greener option than motor yachts but Perseverance 1 ’s owner wanted to push the eco-friendly limits further and reduce engine dependency as much as possible. As a result, the yacht has a diesel-electric propulsion train with high voltage battery banks that can be charged when sailing by turning the propeller. Electricity can be regenerated while under way, and in suitable conditions – 12-plus knots of breeze – regeneration alone will meet the yacht’s entire energy demands. “It also provided proof that these types of systems can be retrofitted into existing yachts,” says Hawkins.

Perseverance 1 distinguished herself in the 2022 World Superyacht Awards, winning in her category – Sailing Yachts 30 metres to 39.9 metres – and taking the Sailing Yacht of the Year title. The judges praised her efficient diesel-electric propulsion system and well-integrated technology that takes her batteries to full charge in just  4.5 hours and permits eight to nine hours of silent running at anchor.

“We have been able to efficiently regenerate power over an average of 20 to 25 kilowatts in about 16 to 20 knots of wind while still managing 12 to 14 knots of boat speed,” says Captain Taylor, who served as build captain. He joined the team in 2020 after finishing a seven-year stint on another Baltic, the 33-metre WinWin . Taylor also completed the build as engineer/mate of WinWin , so he was well rehearsed in the way Baltic operates, which was an asset to the Perseverance 1 project.

The owner sought to reduce energy consumption in other ways. He pushed for a seawater cooling system using only one controllable, variable-speed pump as opposed to pumps for each piece of equipment, which resulted in considerable energy savings.

“The owner was very keen to minimise the yacht’s footprint in the operational conditions as well,” says Wassen. To achieve this, sensors were installed to set the interior temperature based on whether the owner’s and guest cabins are occupied. When a cabin is not in use, the temperature threshold automatically adjusts to minimise energy demand.

Perseverance 1 ’s hull is of a modern design that was optimised by computational fluid dynamics calculations to minimise drag. The hull is equipped with a high-aspect rudder and lifting keel to enhance sailing capabilities. She performs well in light air, owing in part to her carbon-fibre spars and advanced construction materials. With an oversized rig and sail inventory that can make the most out of any wind speed above eight knots, Perseverance 1 is very efficient when under sail. “The other philosophy for the design that was originally requested was that she could easily sail at full power in 10 knots with little effort,” says Captain Taylor.

Perseverance 1 sails with an exceptionally light helm feel and a fast response. “My personal favourite space on board is behind the steering wheel as it is a real joy to helm the boat and feel the response of every change you make to sail trim or course,” says Wassen. Her sailing attributes were recognised during the Boat International Design & Innovation Awards where she won the award for Best Naval Architecture in the Sailing Yachts category. She scored points for a rig geometry  that allows for quick sail adaption to match environmental conditions, enabling her to sail for long periods.

Along with high performance, she is comfortable while under way. High bulwarks and deep cockpits keep guests and crew safe and dry. Notably, the bimini top over the guest cockpit can be raised or lowered while sailing to adjust to the circumstances. The bimini can be set at a position aligned with the deckhouse, which provides a nice, sheltered area for guests when under way while, in adverse conditions, it can be lowered entirely to form a lid on the cockpit coaming and protect the seat cushions.

The challenge came in fitting all the technical achievements and modern deck equipment into a minimalist exterior design. “As always, with low-profile yachts the space in the engine room was tight, meaning everything had to be carefully planned,” says Hawkins. Perseverance 1 fits into the Baltic philosophy in terms of being a lightweight, easily driven and highly innovative sailing machine, but she stands apart from the yard’s recent launches by way of her classic lines.

Classic, however, does not mean overly fussy. Dykstra was able to distil the lines of a Bristol pilot cutter, popularised in the 19th and early 20th centuries, down to its purest form. “Uncluttered, clean with understated elegance,” is how Wassen describes Perseverance 1 . Her two low and long deckhouses are wood-clad to resemble traditional construction methods. The wood is saturated with oil to have the warm glow of the grain without the gloss of varnish. Metal parts are bead-blasted rather than high-gloss, adding to the overall feel of understated elegance. “While looking classic, the transom is larger – and more modern – than on many comparable yachts,” he adds.

The owner’s previous yacht served as the starting point for the interior decor. “The brief for the design was relatively open,” says Michiel de Vos of deVosdeVries Design. “They liked the airy feel created by the contrast between veneered areas and painted upper bulkheads. Leather had to be incorporated into the detailing, and we had to make sure that there would be no large contrast between interior and exterior spaces.”

Though the interior is more modern than classic, what the exterior and interior share is a minimalist, unfussy sensibility. The decor is understated, with sharp lines, grey tones and subtle detailing. De Vos calls the motif “industrial chic”. The main furniture and wall panelling is in a whitish-grey stained oak, while floors are in a durable dark-grey stained maple, which is also used in joinery details and wall recesses. Saddle-stitched leather is used on the bed surrounds, handrails, wall panelling, and cabinet and door handles. Hardware is in a dark matt vintage patina with knurled surfaces.

“All materials, veneers, colours and hardware were to be robust but cool,” says de Vos. “The detailing is delicate, tactile but not outspoken, with slightly angled floor margins, nicely veneered grab rails and a curved oak cornice detail, where you can really see the craftmanship of the carpenters at Baltic Yachts.”

Perseverance 1 ’s double deckhouse design helps define the divide between guest and crew areas. Guest cabins are set forward on the yacht, while the crew areas extend aft to the crew deckhouse. The main deckhouse hosts the upper saloon, with its large dining table. The custom light fixture and corresponding wall sconces were developed and built by the owners themselves. In keeping with the yacht’s traditional exterior, individual rectangular windows are found on all sides of the deckhouse rather than a swath of continuous wraparound glazing, but the sightlines are still tremendous.

All of the guest cabins are found forward of the amidships engine room. The owner’s cabin is set in the bow, with a lobby connecting it to a private starboard side en suite. A further three guest cabins include a children’s bunk bedroom and double guest cabin to port, while a twin cabin is starboard. Each have their own bathrooms with custom-shaped Corian washbasins.

Both de Vos and Hawkins name the lower saloon as a favourite spot. A few steps down from the upper saloon, towards the aft, it can be used as a lounge, dining area or cinema, and even augmented to be shared between guests and crew. A television on a lift separates the saloon from the galley to port. When lowered it opens up the space, creating a buffet-style countertop. “This area has been designed as a multifunctional space where guests can enjoy a movie at night, but also have breakfast or dinner,” says de Vos. “It’s a really practical area where guests and crew can come together, especially on the longer charter trips.”

In less than a year after delivery, Perseverance 1 had already worked her sea legs, putting them to the test in the shakedown cruise alone. “We have travelled and sailed more than 6,500 nautical miles with the delivery from Baltic Yachts in Jakobstad, Finland, down to Malta, via Norway, the Netherlands and southern Spain,” says Captain Taylor.

“The departure from Kristiansand, Norway, was certainly timed well as we departed early morning to a building easterly breeze of around 18 to 22 knots on the planned route to Amsterdam with a true wind angle of around 120 to 130TWA. One reef in the mainsail and unfurling the  Code 0, and we were off sailing at speeds well in excess of 15 knots, seeing over 20 knots quite a few times.”

Wassen refers to Perseverance 1 as wearing a “bespoke costume” – a fitting description as the yacht is dressed in an exterior that implies a historical nautical past while concealing her future-forward underpinnings.

Energy efficiency, regenerative power, high-performance sailing, long-haul capabilities and comfortable living are all encased in a classic-looking yacht. There is certainly more to Perseverance 1 than meets the eye.

First published in the September 2022 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.

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Yacht Sourcing > WHICH SAILBOAT IS THE BEST NEW BOAT FOR 2022?

WHICH SAILBOAT IS THE BEST NEW BOAT FOR 2022?

• December 14, 2021

Already the end of the year and there are only a few weeks left before the sailing lovers discover which will be the best boat of 2022.

The Annapolis Show in Maryland, as it’s known, has become an institution in the sailing community. For more than 50 years sailors have flocked to historic downtown Annapolis to see the newest boats, the latest equipment, and to meet the most knowledgeable people in the industry.

At the same time it’s during this worldwide event that “Cruising world” the famous online magazine announced its roster of nominees.

The annual awards, selected by an independent judging team, recognize the best new production cruising boats and multihulls laid out and equipment for coastal and offshore sailing and voyaging. The judges had a close look at the nominees on the dock during the U.S. Sailboat Show. The on-water testing for the awards takes place on the Chesapeake Bay.

October 20,2021. “Cruising world” announced the nominees for the best sailboat for 2022 are:

• Balance 482
• Bali Catspace
• Bavaria C38
• Beneteau First 27
• Seawind 1600
• Fountaine Pajot Isla40
• Fountaine Pajot Samana59
• Grand Soleil 44
• Hallberg-Rassy 340
• Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 380
• Jeanneau Yacht 60
• Kinetic Catamarans KC54
• Lagoon Sixty5
• Royal Cape Majestic 530
• Xquisite X5 Plus.

No less than 4 boats of which Yacht Sourcing is the representative in Indonesia are present in the list : Fountaine Pajot and Dufour. Two for each brand, which demonstrates the recognition of the marine industry, for these two jewels of the sea are represented by Yacht Sourcing, the trusted partner in Indonesia.

So let’s wait for January 2022, and wish “Bonne Chance” to Fountaine Pajot and Dufour for the award.

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New Yachts on the Market: Latest Racing & Cruising Designs

In the market for a racing or cruising yacht? It’s been another bumper year for the boatbuilding industry… Sam Jefferson casts his eye over the latest launches.

New yachts: cruising, wauquiez 55.

Wauquiez is a marque that has been much revered in cruising circles since they first started building elegant cruisers back in the 1960s. Their new 55 boat is definitely intriguing and one of the striking features is the centre cockpit with the helm offset to port under a well protected solid plexiglass sprayhood.  Another interesting feature is the option of a swing keel which gives you an almighty 4.2m of draft when lowered and 1.6m when raised. Aside from that, the boat dares to be different by supplying two Volvo D2 engines as standard.  The interior looks extremely spacious and Lombard has capitalised on full forward sections and plenty of beam to ensure that there is a huge interior space. In addition, the centre cockpit allows for a huge aft owner’s cabin.

wauquiez.com

Moody 48 DS

Moody has been under German ownership as part of the Hanse group for many years now and offers a different sort of cruiser in quality deck saloon cruisers which are designed by Judel/Vrolijk. The new 48 is the first new launch they have made since their 41 2017 and fits between the Moody 45 and 54 in their range. As you’d expect, this is a boat that is big on space and comfort, featuring a big, beamy hull with twin rudders. Performance has not been neglected, however, because she sports a generous rig to push her 21,000kg displacement through the water. 

Inspirationmarine.co.uk

Hanse Yachts broke with go to designer of many years Judel/Vrolijk a couple of years back and this was the catalyst behind the launch of a new generation of Hanses designed by the French team of Berret/Racoupeau. In addition to a marked change in styling, with inverted ‘dreadnought bow and hard chines aft giving the boats a more angular look, the main drive seemed to be to up the quality of the boats down below – which was certainly achieved. The new 590 is their biggest boat yet of this new generation and offers easy sailing on a big scale. The new boat features an optional hard top bimini, a tender garage and acres of space down below. The boat will be officially unveiled at Cannes Boat show and promises to be a head turner.

New Cruising Yacht: Maxus 35

Maxus Yachts is a Polish company that made its name. building small trailerable yachts to sail on the Masurian lakes not far from the Russian border. Now the company has moved up a size bracket and their new 35 is bigger and aimed more at offshore sailing than previous designs. The result is a spacious yacht with striking styling and a semi deck saloon arrangement that bathes the saloon with natural light. It all points to promises decent performance and accommodation at a highly competitive price. 

northman.pl

French manufacturer Dufour has really pumped up the volume with its latest generation of yachts. The new Umberto Felci designed 44 follows on from the 37 and 41 which have already drawn plaudits thanks to their remarkable ability to create internal volume without looking overly dumpy. The 44 continues in this vein boasting plentiful beam aft and full sections at the bow above the waterline. The interior is positively palatial and there is a choice of three or four cabin layouts.

dufour-yachts.com

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350 is the successor to the 349 which was actually launched way back in 2013. At 34’1” excluding the bowsprit she is the starter boat in the range and viewed by the French manufacturer as offering a gateway into sailing for young families.

The boat is designed by Marc Lombard and Piaton Yacht design and, as you’d expect the lines are bang up to date, offering plenty of internal volume via fuller forward sections. Like its predecessor the 349, the new boat is available with a swing keel – a real boon in UK waters. The interior is really quite large and there is the option of twin doubles aft plus a double forward. 

jeanneau.com

Elan GT6 Explorer

The Elan GT6 was a very stylish fast cruiser from drawing board of rob Humphreys that has been very well received since its launch. The GT6 Explorer is, as you can imagine a variation on this theme but the manufacturers have identified rthe potential of the boat as a fast blue water cruiser and built on that. As such, the boat fuel and water tankage has been boosted as has battery power. There is also the option of an all electric version utilising Oceanvolt’s pioneering technology. 

elan-yachts.com

It has been some years since Danish manufacturers X Yachts realised that if they offered a de tuned Xc cruising range alongside its out and out performance yachts, it would massively enlarge its customer base. The project was a huge success and the Xc range is now into its second generation with the launch of the Xc47. The new launch is one of the first since X Yachts divorce from founder and chief designer Niels Jeppesen and the result is a yacht that leans heavily towards the cruising market, featuring something not far from a deck saloon. The hull lines feature plenty of beam aft and there has obviously been a very conscious effort to up the cruising ante. That said, the boat retains a powerful rig and weight has been kept reasonably modest.

x-yachts.com

New Yachts: Racing

Cf 580 ran 8.

Ran 8 is one of the latest launches from the drawing board of Shaun Carkeek and is a boat that has already cut a dash by taking overall and line honours in the RORC Channel Race. This is a boat that comes from the same mould as Oystercatcher XXXV, launched to much fanfare in 2021. The new boat boasts an uprated water ballast system which is designed to reduce the number of crew required from eight to seven. In addition to this, electric propulsion has been introduced. 

The boat is not designed to one particular set of rules and the main aim is simply to design a boat that will go as fast as possible in a range of conditions. The result is a boat optimised for offshore conditions, in which she will be somewhat quicker than a TP52. 

carkeekdesignpartners.com

Jeanneau Sun Fast 30

The Sun Fast 30 is a VPLP project who have teamed up with Multiplast to produce a strict one design yacht at what Jeanneau feels is a competitive price. The new boat features full forward sections married to light (2,700kg) displacement, twin rudders and flat aft sections to provide a boat that planes easily and early. The boat is available in two versions: One Design and Club. The one design version features a carbon mast mainsheet track and uprated electronics pack. The Club version has an aluminium mast and a bridle for the mainsheet. The aim is to make it more affordable to club racers.

Clubswan 28: Racing

The Clubswan 28 is a something of a break from tradition for Nautor Swan who have never produced a yacht this small. She rounds off their ClubSwan range and is a pure one design racer set up for four crew. At 1000kg, this Juan Kouyoumdijan design is going to be fast but she appears to be much less technical than boats higher up the range, eschewing foils and keeping things as simple as possible. There is no accommodation.

nautorswan.com

Reichel/Pugh 56 Vasara

The design house of Reichel/Pugh has produced some memorable yachts over the years and  the design brief here was for a fast, competitive yacht that was also comfortable and luxuriously appointed down below. There are a number of interesting touches. Most notably, a split backstay and square topped mainsail can be switched out for a single backstay and standard main when cruising. The keel has a substantial 4.1m depth but this can be raised to 2.4m for entering port. The interior is constructed almost exclusively out of carbon but a thin veneer of wood is placed over this to soften things up. The result is a sleek and versatile racer/cruiser.

reichel-pugh.com

New Yachts: Bluewater Cruisers

Bestavaer 36.

Bestavaer Yachts is a Dutch boatbuilder specialising in steel construction. They are reputed for building handsome steel ‘go anywhere’ yachts, generally in the 50-70’ bracket. The announcement of an all new 36 footer is therefore something of a surprise and not an unwelcome one. The new boat marries a big rig with a decent displacement ot provide a boat that is both seaworthy but none too slow. As with her bigger sisters, the 36 is designed to be a very practical ctuiser and is therefore equipped with a swing keel which will allow her to take the ground when required and the draft is a mere 0.7m with the board up and a substantial 2.4m with the board down.

bestavaer.com

Boreal Yachts sit in that very French cadre of utilitarian aluminium ‘go anywhere’ yachts much loved by soul sailors who idolise Moitessier and dream of communing with the albatross. Yet these soul sailors seem to have developed a taste for a spot of luxury too and the Boreal 70 is typical of the latest iteration of these hardy swing keel boats in that she is huge and surprisingly well appointed, boating such luxuries as a dishwasher should you so wish to choose that option. Sacre bleu! Nevertheless, this is a tough go anywhere cruiser which is at home in the tropics or the high latitudes. 

boreal-yachts.com

Hallberg Rassy 69

Swedish manufacturer Hallberg Rassy is an institution in the world of blue water cruising. Yet it’s an institution that isn’t afraid to evolve and many were shocked when the boatbuilder started to introduce twin rudders and broader aft sections to its designs. The 69 is another step forward, being the largest boat ever built by the Swedes and nudging towards the cadre of pocket superyacht. The boat is designed by German Frers and features a big rig and contemporary lines familiar to those who are familiar with the most recent launches from the yard. The difference with the 69 is she is just a lot bigger and more luxurious. Far not though, the trademark Hallberg Rassy armchairs are still an option.

hallberg-rassy.com

Contest 63CS

Dutch boatbuilder Contest is famed for building high quality blue water cruisers and their all new 63CS looks straight out of that playbook. Designed by their go to nabal architects Judel/Vrolijk, this is a big, luxurious cruising yacht that will boat good performance particularly for those who love a spot of tradewind sailing. This is a centre cockpit yacht with a relatively modest 31,900kg displacement and a decent sail area pointing to a very versatile long distance cruiser.

contestyachts.com

New Yachts: Performance Cruisers

Grand soleil blue.

Italian manufacturer Grand Soleil seems to have been producing ever larger cruiser/racers so news of the launch of the Grand soleil Blue, a 30’ weekender is welcome. The boat is very interesting as it is the first fully recyclable production yacht built in Italy and features biodegradable resins in construction meaning that the boat ban be separated out and re used at the end of the boats life. The boat also features and electric motor and sails made of recycled materiels. The design is clearly performance oriented but there is pleasant and stylish weekend accommodation.

grandsoleil.net

Saffier SL 46

Dutch manufacturer Saffier Yachts has specialised in turning out fast, stylish weekend sailers with an emphasis on performance and ease of use. That is, until now. By launching the new SL 46 the boatbuilders has moved into an altogether new realm as this boat is unquestionably a cruiser/racer capable of offshore passages. This is an intriguing move, as it pitches Saffier against a plethora of established operators such as Grand Soleil, Italia Yachts, even Beneteau and Jeanneau. Anyway, the SL 46 looks the part, featuring modern aggressive styling couple to a big rig, light displacement and a deep, T-shaped keel. The interior looks stylish and luxurious and the boat is available with the option of a tender garage – something of an oddity in a 46 footer. 

saffieryachts.com

Tofinou 7.9

The new Tofinou 7.9 follows in the vein of other yachts in their range in that she is a performance oriented modern classic day sailer. As the name suggests, the boat is 7.9m making her the smallest boat in the range and she is available with a swing keel or fixed T shaped keel. The boat is available with an electric outboard or a diesel inboard and offers a blend of lustrous woods and light carbon laminates which gives the boat a classy air while also promising exhilarating sailing. There is also a small double berth forward if you do want to spend a night afloat.

tofinou.com

La Rochelle based RM Yachts has made a name for itself by being the last company standing when it comes to the mass production of epoxy/ply yachts. This is partly because it’s hideously complicated to put together an epoxy/ply yacht. The result, however, is a lightweight yacht that is stiff and strong. RM has made a name for building sporty cruiser/racers with the option of lift, fixed or bilge keels. The 1080 is a welcome mid sized addition to their range. Designed by Marc Lombard, the 1080 features plenty of beam aft, fullish forward sections and generous sail area. The looks are distinctive and the cockpit layout is innovative plus interior space is impressive.

rm-yachts.com

New Yachts on Show

• Cannes Boat Show 2024: Top Six New Boats
• Southampton Boat Show 2024: Top 6 New Boats

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2022 Boat of the Year: Best Cruising Catamaran (Under 50’)

• By Cruising World Editors
• December 15, 2021

During and in the four days immediately following the US Sailboat show in Annapolis, Maryland, the  Cruising World  judges inspected and sailed on 27 boats vying for recognition. Learn more about the boats in our  2022 Boat of the Year  »

The sweet spot for cruising catamarans, for most multihull sailors, is right there between 40 and 50 feet: manageable by a couple, not so large that finding a place to park or dock is prohibitive, and with lots more room to spread out and bring the toys and kids than a monohull of similar length. This year’s set of nominees features industry stalwarts Leopard and Fountaine Pajot—both of which have enjoyed plenty of success in previous Boat of the Year competitions—and a pair of relative upstarts from Bali, the cruising offshoot from French builder Catana. The former are all-around cats with plenty of versatility; the latter aim to cater more toward the cruising/liveaboard part of the equation. Choices, choices! It proved to be a challenging quartet of cats for the judging panel to evaluate and sort out. 

The larger sibling of the two Bali cats entered for BOTY 2022—all the Bali offerings feature an innovative “garage door” separating the saloon and cockpit, which when raised creates a seamless indoor/outdoor living space that has proven to be highly popular—was the 46-plus-foot 4.6. It’s yet another one of this year’s catamarans with the ever-popular flybridge that has become a design staple for many cat builders. Judge Tim Murphy found it a pleasure to sail. “On some of the other cats, you felt you were fighting the sail controls,” he said. “Not here. It’s laid out nicely. It has a double-ended mainsheet system with no traveler but control at both ends, so you’ve got a port and a starboard sheet, and I think that’s a fine way to control the mainsail. It’s arguably easier to jibe with that system than a standard traveler; you have good athwartships control throughout the maneuver. Bali cats are known for comfort, but this one sails well too.”

At 40 feet, the Bali Catspace—the second of two boats from the brand entered in the 2022 BOTY contest—is the smallest offering in the Bali line, but judge Murphy found the open floor plan particularly alluring: “The living experience of being able to open up the back end of these cats so you create an indoor/outdoor platform is terrific. I didn’t give it much thought until I chartered a Bali, and it was totally delightful. The sailing performance was actually fine, but it was that back porch that made the trip.”

Dream Yacht Charters has added more and more Bali cats to their fleets, and it’s easy to see why. With their vast interior space; plenty of amenities including air conditioning and multiple fridges, including ones that would not be out of place in any well-equipped household kitchen ashore; and surprisingly effective sailing prowess given their systems and accommodations, these boats are almost synonymous with the word “vacation.” Take the interior layout of the Catspace: It has four staterooms with private heads, the forward pair with berths aligned athwartships and the aft set laid out in a fore-and-aft configuration. It’s hard to imagine a better use of space for four couples or a family in 40 feet of waterline.

Yes, a 40-foot catamaran is a design challenge; it’s fairly easy to accommodate loads of features in a 50-foot multihull, but it’s quite another to include all the creature comforts and niceties in considerably less real estate. But Murphy felt that the Isla 40—another 40-footer like the Catspace, but this one from longtime cat leader Fountaine Pajot—pulled it off well. The Isla also had a tall order to fill in that it replaced a previous cat of the same size in the builder’s lineup, the highly successful Lucia 40. “The mission for this boat was described in thirds,” Murphy said. “Bareboat charter, crewed charter and private ownership. I think they’ve created a boat that accomplishes all those missions. The boat sailed well, but it was also laid out well. In fact, the owner’s cabin to starboard was superb, one of the nicest places on any boat we inspected. We toured a lot of much bigger boats that didn’t have that sort of space.”

But when all was said and done, the Bali Cats and the Isla ran into a juggernaut with the Leopard 42, which proved to be a powerhouse BOTY entrant. It’s pretty clear by now that the relationship between South African builder Robertson and Caine; their lone client, the Moorings; and naval architects Simonis and Voogd, who bring the Leopard brand to life, is strong and fruitful. And they have a wall full of BOTY award-winning plaques to prove it. It’s time to make room for another. The judges found much to like about the latest Leopard, including the offset steering station to starboard and the lounge space forward accessed via a front door in the saloon. But the Leopard sealed its victory with an awesome sea trial in which it overhauled and passed a popular new monohull that shall remain nameless. Cats can’t point? Wrong!

What put the boat over the top wasn’t just the sailing performance, which was obviously terrific, but also the tools with which to sail the boat, and its overall deck layout, all of which optimized the experience. Murphy said, “With the Leopard, you have visual eye contact from the raised helm station to starboard down into the cockpit, you’ve got a visual line of sight into the saloon, and you’ve got a pretty good visibility over the top of the cabin top everywhere. You had access to your main sheet right there where you needed it. This was one of the boats that had no traveler, but instead had a windward and leeward block on the mainsheet. I think that’s a fine system, I like the control you have. Jibing works fine and is easily controlled.”

It was one little thing in a series of them, all of which added up to a boat—the Leopard 42—that was the unanimous winner in the 2022 category of Best Cruising Catamarans (Under 50’).

• More: bali catamarans , Boat of the Year , Boat of the Year 2022 , Fountaine Pajot , leopard catamarans , Sailboats
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