You can always count on seeing some cool daysailers at European boat shows. Here’s the Dinamica 940, built in Italy.
Racers will appreciate the full-width Harken traveler, recessed into the cockpit sole to eliminate the tripping hazard. Passengers will enjoy the comfortable bench seats…
…while environmentalists will applaud the emission-free electric drive system. According to the builder, a single charge is good for eight hours of motoring.
Italian style also emanates from the Grand Soleil 50, a low, sleek beauty of a boat. Hopefully we’ll see one at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis this coming October.
Down below, the Grand Soleil 50’s forward galley is unusual but opens up the saloon. The interior on this boat is finished in white oak.
The pretty Saffier Sc10m is a Dutch-built gentlemen’s weekender. Belowdecks there are three bunks, a small galley and an enclosed head.
Dufour’s new 36e performance cruiser has a cozy, well-appointed layout—the double door to the forecabin opens up the interior nicely.
On deck, the Dufour 36e is all business. The rear winches are for the German mainsheet, the forward ones handle jib sheets, and halyards are dealt with on the cabintop.
I don’t know what it is, but I want one! Actually, it’s the prototype for a new class of foil-assisted catamaran designed to achieve speeds of over 40 knots.
Taking the elegant daysailer concept to a greater length, the Eagle 44 is beautifully built in ther Netherlands to a design by Dykstra & Partners, who have also drawn some of the latest generation of J-Class yachts.
There’s minimal but comfortable accommodations belowdecks, and you can imagine taking your ease in this well-appointed cockpit.
Hanse’s brand new 415 made its debut at Dusseldorf. It shares the styling of its Judel/Vrolijk-designed siblings.
Belowdecks, the Hanse 415 displays styling that’s more restrained than some we’ve seen from this German builder.
Bavaria’s latest boat from the Farr design office is the Vision 46, the first of a new line.
The companionway and transom gate are both offset on the Vision 46…
…to allow for a comfortable double bed in the cockpit. There are plenty of other good ideas on this cruiser. With one large owner’s cabin and smaller guest cabin, and one heads/shower, it’s aimed at couples who sail by themselves most of the time.
Every country has its idiosyncratic boats. This is the Casa 33 motorsailer from Poland, which can motor at 12 knots and take the ground on its twin keels. The cockpit arch is the backbone of a full enclosure.
The Pacer 310 Sprint is from a South African company that’s making inroads in Europe. But has yet to reach the U.S. It’s a good-looking racer-cruiser, complete with retracting carbon sprit.
Yet another sexy sportboat—the Ventoux Six, built in France. The aggressive, curved chine is an interesting feature.
Salona Yachts is making a big push, and introduced two new models at Dusseldorf. The 35, designed by J&J Design, has twin wheels and a torpedo keel. With a new North American importer, the popular Croatian brand is poised to re-enter the U.S. market.
Jeanneau’s latest is the Sun Odyssey 509, a sleek cruiser that continues the theme of the 379, 409 and 439 introduced over the last two years.
A plethora of recessed hatches and built-in solar panels mark the Jeanneau 509’s deck.
Here is Beneteau’s new Oceanis 48, which illustrates just how user-friendly modern design is making the cockpit/transom transition. This is a great play area/boarding platform.
Belowdecks on the Oceanis 48, generous use of white trim makes for a bright and inviting saloon.
The new Sense 55 dominated the Beneteau line-up at Dusseldorf. The cockpit is vast.
You won’t see one of these Faurby 424s on this side of the pond—a pity, because there’s much to like about these Danish-buiilt boats.
Also new from Grand Soleil, the GS 39 is an extremely handsome boat.
She is solidly fitted out in a choice of woods that include teak and mahogany.
And at Chicago, Catalina debuted its latest “5 Series” boat, the 315.
The layout makes the most of the volume in this Gerry Douglas-designed hull.
