Boat Reviews

Jeanneau 57

by Sail Staff, Posted August 17, 2009

If proof were needed of the high standard of modern production boatbuilding, Jeanneau’s 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

Beneteau First 40

by Sail Staff, Posted August 17, 2009

The latest in Beneteau’s ever-popular First series of racer-cruisers wears its pedigree in plain sight; the same sleek profile as the earlier, large Farr-designed Firsts, the 50 and 45, the same powerful rig and deep torpedo-bulbed keel, the same family-friendly interior that keeps the good times coming even when the racing’s over. It’s all just condensed into a smaller, more

Lagoon 400

by Sail Staff, Posted August 17, 2009

The new mid-range cat from Lagoon looks like a useful cruiser. From stem to stern, it reeks of practicality, from the trademark pillbox-style windows (let in light without heat when the sun’s high) to the hardtop cockpit canopy (everyone always fits a bimini, so why not make it permanent?). The sails can be controlled from the elevated helm station and between the open-plan

EKO 6.5

by Peter Nielsen, Posted August 17, 2009

The Mini 6.5 solo racing class is well established in Europe, and is now slowly gaining a toehold in the U.S.A. The EKO 6.5 is built by Third Coast Composites in Texas and the first example has already completed the Bermuda One-Two race. There are plans to break into series production if the class catches on. LOA 21ft 4in, beam 9ft 10in, draft 6ft 6in, displacement 2,040 lbs,

Oyster 655

by Sail Staff, Posted August 17, 2009

You can’t talk about dream yachts without someone dropping the Oyster name in the first few minutes. Designer Rob Humphreys’s brief for the new 655 was for a boat that combined luxurious amenities with first-class performance. The latter was achieved not only by clever hull design, but by the extensive use of carbon fiber and Kevlar throughout the boat. If you didn’t think

Prout 45S

by Sail Staff, Posted August 17, 2009

Originally a British company, Prout catamarans are now built in China. The 45S is a good-looking boat, opulently fitted out and with some customizable interior options. There’s more wood than we’ve become accustomed to seeing in catamarans and the factory has done its best to keep weight down with extensive use of cored moldings. There are four staterooms, and a heads compartment in each hull.

Sensei 9M

by Sail Staff, Posted August 17, 2009

Here’s an unusual import from Turkey, a country famed more for its beautiful coastline than for boat building. The Sensei is as up-to-the-minute in design and construction as it’s possible to be; the hull is a vacuum-bagged sandwich of vinylester resin and Corecell reinforced with carbon fiber, the T-keel will reward good helming, and the styling is delightfully Italian.

Summit 35

by Sail Staff, Posted August 17, 2009

This handsome racer-cruiser from the board of Mark Mills is designed to the IRC rule. It promises sizzling performance with family-friendly accommodations. A retracting pole for an A-sail is optional, or you can fly symmetrical spinnakers from the tall double-spread aluminum mast. Down below, there are three double berths, standing headroom, and a functional galley. LOA 35ft

Sunsail 384

by Sail Staff, Posted August 17, 2009

The charter company commissioned this good-looking cat from South African company Robertson & Caine. Designed by Morelli & Melvin, the boat should sail nicely as well as providing plenty of room for both charter parties and family cruisers. It’s a galley-up design, geared towards outdoor living, and offer all the usual catamaran advantages – plenty of lounging space, a level

Hunter Edge

by Tom Dove, Posted August 17, 2009

Every sailor’s 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