Sail Magazine

by Andrew Burton

From Mono to Multi

by Andrew Burton, Posted May 6, 2013

Once you've sailed a cat, you may never go back. Here's what to expect when you go from one hull to two.

Sporting a plumb stem and a slightly raked reverse transom, the Dufour 36P (“P” for performance) seems at first glance to be designed solely for speed: a notion that chines just above the waterline aft and a tall nine-tenths rig with swept-back spreaders do little to dispel.

Sparkman & Stephens 30

by Andrew Burton, Posted December 14, 2012

Harking back to one of Olin Stephens’s well-known designs from 1935, the pretty S&S 30 is nevertheless a very modern boat. Like the original, a 30-footer named Babe, it was built for coastal racing and daysailing.

VX One Design

by Andrew Burton, Posted June 25, 2012

On a crisp early-fall day, designer and builder Brian Bennett unfurled the self-tacking jib on the VX One Design prototype and we moved to the weather side, feet under the hiking straps, pulling the boat upright and effortlessly accelerating in the puffy northerly. Feedback from the mainsheet and the tiller told me to ease the main a bit. My first thought was, “Brian’s got it right with this design!”

Maximize Your Performance on a Cruising Catamaran

by Andrew Burton, Posted May 1, 2012

Perhaps you’re looking at a cat as an option for an extended cruise, or you’ve chartered a catamaran for a week in the British Virgin Islands. You’re expecting some thrilling multihull speed, but once on the water you find you are disappointed.

Lagoon 560

by Andrew Burton, Posted March 14, 2012

As his two boys cavorted around its decks, I asked David, a potential buyer, why he was considering the 560 for a world cruise. “It’s the biggest boat my family and I can sail without a professional crew,” he said.

The Matrix 450

by Andrew Burton, Posted February 8, 2012

After Matrix Yachts’ president, Peter Wehrley, retired from his job as a structural engineer to operate charter boats in the Caribbean with his wife, Fiona, they soon saw the potential for a large catamaran in the charter trade. Peter’s son, Mark, also captains boats in the charter trade and has now joined the family firm. The Wehrleys’ extensive sailing experience is readily apparent in the Vision 450’s systems, layout and style.

Cruising Criteria: How to Pick the Best Cruiser

by Andrew Burton, Posted February 1, 2012

The eternally fascinating mental exercise of choosing, equipping and organizing priorities on my ideal cruising boat has kept me awake on countless night watches over the last 30 years and 300,000 miles of bluewater sailing and coastal cruising. No matter where I sail or how ambitious my plans, there are a few things on my dream boat that are not negotiable.

Knysna 480

by Andrew Burton, Posted May 21, 2011

"Substantial" was my first thought when I stepped aboard the Knysna 480 at the Miami International Boat Show. This South African-built catamaran is obviously meant for serious cruising. And so confirmed owners Susan and Tim Mahoney, who chose the Knysna based on the reputation of the builder and their respect for designer Angelo Lavranos.

Leopard 44

by Andrew Burton, Posted May 21, 2011

The latest collaboration bet-ween builder Robertson and Caine and designers Morrelli & Melvin has upped the high standards set by the rest of the Leopard fleet. This new 44-footer should be popular with private owners. I suspect it will be equally popular with charterers as the Sunsail 444.