In the expansive world of performance cruising boats from top European production boatyards, perhaps not surprisingly, the Italians play the game differently. In the cruiser-racer segment, when it comes to a consistent blend of refined style and ­serious sailing chops, the following brands leap immediately to mind: Grand Soleil, Italia and Solaris. Speed and grace—and racing, to various ­degrees—are clearly ­important ­attributes to Italian sailors. (And a shout-out to X-Yachts of Denmark, whose­ lineup in looks and feel is a comparable match.)

Still, I have to admit, before serving as a judge in the 2024 Boat of the Year contest, Solaris was a company that wasn’t on my personal radar. That changed soon after I sailed the Solaris 44 on an ­ideal Chesapeake Bay afternoon in a sweet 10- to 12-knot southerly. After a memorable stint driving the sleek 44-footer upwind and down, I jotted this in my notebook: “Beautiful helm. A Ferrari.”

The Solaris 44 is one among 11 models that the builder offers from 40 to 111 feet. This is a boat with an all-business profile that looks quick even parked in a slip. With its plumb bow and straight-edge walk-through transom, the long waterline is completely stretched out. A flat sheerline and low, sloped coachroof—paired with a couple of rectangular hull windows and a fixed, extended bowsprit, which accommodates a code-zero headsail that bolsters the off-wind sail area—add to the contemporary styling. 

The cockpit, with a pair of outboard helm stations coupled to a set of twin rudders, is spacious and accommodating. A full crew of racing sailors won’t worry about tripping over one another when tacking or flying a kite. The running rigging is stashed mostly below the deck, and leads to a pair of winches and clutches to port and starboard. Even the wide traveler is recessed under the cockpit sole to keep lines and clutter to a minimum. The real teak decks are awesome, though a faux composite deck is optional.

Back to that sweet sailing, which is the 44’s clear raison d’être. All of those sailhandling elements came together nicely on our test ride. Off the wind on a deep reach with the big headsail, the boat tracked along well at 8 knots, and the speedo leapt accordingly to a solid 10 knots as we headed up a few degrees and brought the breeze abeam. We then swapped the code zero for the self-tacking jib and made an easy and respectable 7.6 knots closehauled. The wheels were as light and responsive as can be, and those two rudders offered complete control. 

The inventory of 3Di North Sails was impressive. And our test boat was loaded with options: bow thruster, air conditioner, generator, and full B&G instrumentation. The standard double-spreader Seldén rig is aluminum, but owners can specify a carbon stick. The 60 hp Volvo Penta diesel (30 hp is standard, and 75 hp is available) with sail drive performed well, making better than 8 knots when ticking over at 2,400 rpm.

Vacuum-bagged construction is a straightforward laminate that employs vinylester resin matched with Airex foam core in the hull and deck. Likewise, the tabbed forward and main bulkheads are a composite sandwich. The T-shaped keel (available in deep and shallow versions of 8 feet, 5 inches and 7 feet, 10 inches, respectively) pair a cast-iron steel foil with a substantial lead ballast bulb. Obviously, this is not a boat destined to gunkhole through the Bahamas.

The floor plan belowdecks, with three staterooms and two heads, is clearly laid out to accommodate an offshore racing crew or, in cruising mode, an owner and several guests. On a distance race with a crew of 10 who are on five-person watches, there’s plenty of room for the off-watch team to crash. Cushions in the double-berth staterooms aft are split to provide a lee cloth, and two settees in the main stateroom will serve as comfortable berths. 

There’s an L-shaped galley to port at the foot of the companionway and a real navigation station (a must, in my eyes) to starboard. The owner’s stateroom, with a centerline double berth and en suite head, is forward. The light-oak furniture we saw was quite handsome. There’s nothing revolutionary in this layout, but it’s all addressed to high standards. 

Having the opportunity to trial the Solaris 44 provided one happy surprise after another. I have a soft spot for dual-purpose yachts that will serve the racing and cruising modes more than adequately. The Italians have an adjective that I believe works well here: bellissima.

 Herb McCormick is a CW editor-at-large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge.

Solaris 44 Specifications

Take the Next Step

Price: $700,000
Contact: solarisyachts.com

The post Sailboat Review: Solaris 44 appeared first on Cruising World.

Fifty years ago this month, the first issue of Cruising World magazine debuted at the US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland. It was an ideal time to launch a cruising and sailing periodical, as a revolution in production fiberglass boatbuilding was underway. Huge numbers of sailors were eager to purchase new boats, and the choices in size, price and purpose were plentiful. 

Sure, there were lots of imports on the market, especially from France and the Far East, but there were plenty of great boats born in the USA. The builders and their brands were practically synonymous: Hunter (Warren Luhrs), Catalina (Frank Butler), Morgan Yachts (Charley Morgan), Irwin Yachts (Ted Irwin), Pearson (Bill Shaw), Sabre (Roger Hewson), Shannon Yachts (Walter Schulz), and on and on.

Why bring all this up? Well, of all those companies, only Catalina still builds sailboats, and in limited sizes and numbers. All those other former household maritime names are little more than fond memories. The once-powerful US production-sailboat industry has basically ceased to exist. 

But cruising remains as ­alluring as ever—nature abhors a vacuum—and several of the production-boat builders that have filled it are conglomerates aimed at serving the nautical masses. 

One of the most notable, with a trio of popular lines (Hanse, Dehler and Moody), is Hanse Yachts AG, the German manufacturing colossus based on the Baltic Sea. This past fall, in our annual Boat of the Year competition, we tested their latest offering to the US market, the Hanse 510. It’s a rangy, state-of-the-art marvel that on many levels will never be confused with your basic Catalina 30. 

In contemporary cruising boats, some five decades down the track, the names aren’t the only things that have changed. One huge difference? The relative cost. Of the 19 nominees in the 2024 Boat of the Year fleet, over a third sported price tags at over a million bucks, including the Hanse 510.

From a design perspective, the 510 represents a new direction for Hanse. For many years, the Judel/Vrolijk design office was the firm’s principal naval architecture firm. But in 2021, Hanse handed the keys to the French team of Berret-Racoupeau. They delivered the critically acclaimed and commercially successful Hanse 460, with more than 230 boats sold.  

“The next logical step,” says US Hanse importer Doug Brophy, “was to replace our 508 with the 510. The 508 originated with the Hanse 490 and then went through a series of facelifts. We decided not to do facelifts anymore, but to develop a new boat with a new launch. And I think it would be harder to find a larger cockpit on a 50-foot boat than this one.”

Berret-Racoupeau has become a major force in the industry, with a client list that includes most of the top French and European catamaran and monohull builders. In a way, they’ve become a 21st-century Gallic version of Nathanael Herreshoff. However, where Capt. Nat generally reveled in rounded curves, low freeboard and overhanging sterns, the Frenchmen opt for hard angles, maximized beam and length, and voluminous interiors. Metaphorically speaking, comparing the Herreshoff school (or, for that matter, any of the designs of the 1960s and 1970s inspired by the Cruising Club of America’s CCA Rule) with contemporary production boats is like bringing a knife to a gunfight. 

Want proof? Check out the profile of the 510. The waterline is completely maxed out, with a reverse wave-piercing bow forward and a straight, razor-sharp transom astern (a drop-down transom gate serves as a swim platform and opens to a dinghy garage to stash a nearly 9-foot fully inflated tender). There’s not one but two sets of chines, forward and aft, an element that considerably opens up the interior floor plan. There are three windows in the hull, and, with 14 opening hatches on deck, the belowdecks staterooms are flooded with natural light and fresh air. 

Our test boat was adorned with a hardtop Bimini, which covered the entire cockpit with shade and had a sliding panel on Ronstan cars to open things up; a forward glass windshield linked to a fiberglass arch via an acrylic panel that shielded the cockpit from the breeze; and a barbecue and sink. All of which are options (as is a solar array), but these are such worthy, well-executed features that I couldn’t really imagine going without them. There are split cockpit tables, but you can also specify a high/low adjustable table that converts into a lounge, which would go along well with the foredeck sun pad. For the decks, there’s a choice between real teak and synthetic Flexiteek; for the hull colors, the choices in gelcoats are white and gray.  

The freeboard is as tall and considerable as the coachroof is low and sleek; aesthetically, it’s almost an afterthought. Bow and stern thrusters are practically a must because that freeboard represents considerable windage in tight quarters with the breeze on the beam. A forward sprit does double duty as the tack for a reaching sail and home to the ground tackle (a hefty Delta anchor). The single rudder is a deep blade (there are twin helms with Jefa steering), and a significant ballast bulb is attached to the keels (both the shoal and deep versions). Even dockside, the 510 looks raring to go. 

Construction is robust and straightforward. The hull and deck are balsa-cored, while the laminate is solid glass below the waterline. There’s a significant interior fiberglass grid to which the keel is anchored. The hull and deck are bonded and integrated with the toe-rail bulwarks. Additional fasteners are beneath each stanchion. The bulkheads are taped and bonded to the hull, and there are aluminum backing plates beneath each deck fitting. The main bulkhead is a reinforced composite laminate that serves as a compression post for the deck-stepped Seldén rig.

Our test ride sported a 12-volt electrical system with AGM batteries, but a lithium package is available. This boat was loaded with an air conditioner, a Fischer Panda generator, and a 110 hp Yanmar diesel with sail drive that trucked along at almost 8 knots with the throttle down to 2,500 rpm. The smooth emergency-­steering setup was as good as or better than anything we tested for the 2024 contest. 

Accommodations are equal to or roomier than a comfy shoreside condo. Our test boat was set up with the owner’s stateroom forward and a pair of good double-berth staterooms aft. The straight-line galley is to starboard, forward of the navigation desk, AC/DC panels and so on. There are a trio of fridges along with a freezer. (You will never want for a cold beverage on the 510.) To port, there’s a long settee with a high/low table that drops and converts to a berth. There’s a central island down the middle of the main cabin that includes, among other things, a pop-up television set. 

A four-stateroom, four-head layout is aimed at the charter trade. It includes a taut skipper’s cabin forward, which is a sail locker in the three-­staterooms configuration.  

Topsides, that aforementioned bowsprit opens up a foretriangle that accommodates a double-headsail rig: an outer stay with a genoa and an inner stay with a self-tacking jib, both easily controlled with Furlex furling drums. On our test boat, an in-mast furling mainsail was set off the tall spar (77 feet), though a traditional main is another option. The German-style double-ended mainsheet is a midboom arrangement. All the running rigging is led through belowdecks channels to winches and clutches well aft in the cockpit, and then to the dual steering pedestals. It’s a clean and tidy assemblage. 

In 10 to 12 knots of autumn breeze on Chesapeake Bay, the 510 acquitted itself very well. With the big headsail unfurled, it made close to 6 knots on a deep reach and scooted up to more than 8 knots coming up with the wind on the beam. Swapping over to the jib, the boatspeeds were equally favorable, making anywhere between 6 and 8 knots closehauled as the pressure fluctuated in the lulls and puffs. That deep rudder provided a lot of bite, and for pure performance, you can’t beat a long waterline. It was a very pleasant sail.

From soup to nuts, the yacht did everything you’d expect it to, with speed and dispatch—and it’s stylish to boot. There are good reasons that the big yards have come to dominate the big-boat marketplace. The Hanse 510 is a solid example why.

Herb McCormick is a CW editor-at-large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge.

Hanse 510 Specifications

Take the next step

Price: $1,050,000
Contact: hanseyachtsag.com

The post Sailboat Review: Hanse 510 appeared first on Cruising World.

KM Yachtbuilders in the Netherlands has announced the delivery of the Pelagic 77 Amundsen, with plans for the boat to head to the Falkland Islands sometime before 2025.

Amundsen is the second hull in a series that began with Vinson of Antarctica, which launched in 2021. The name Amundsen is a tribute to polar explorer Roald Amundsen of Norway, who explored the north and south poles more than a century ago.

Peter Wilson of MCM Newport, who acted as the owner’s representative on the project, says aluminum was chosen for the hull and superstructure because it “offers great strength, ease of repair, and better weight performance as compared to steel. With Tony Castro’s design and Skip Novak’s racing background, good sailing performance is fundamental. A well-designed yacht is always more fun to sail.”

The team collaborated on the project for two years. Amundsen has two carbon masts for sail distribution and redundancy, supplemented by a manual sailing system with winches and jib furlers.

There’s also eco-friendly Volvo Penta engines. That propulsion system is a change from Vinson, as is the keel configuration on Amundsen, whose centerboard was eliminated in favor of a fixed keel with a fin and bulb. The idea was to eliminate moving parts and enhance reliability during long expeditions.

Interior adjustments were also made. The engine room’s capacity was expanded to make equipment access and maintenance easier, and the wheelhouse has increased headroom.

For times of relaxation, there’s a lounge, dining area and galley. Accommodations are for a maximum of eight guests.

“In her relatively short life, Vinson has been a great success, traveling thousands of miles in some of the world’s toughest conditions in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean,” Wilson stated in a press release. “For Amundsen, we updated the autopilot and steering gear and improved many details in the rig, rigging, deck and interior to enhance her performance and reliability.”Nicolás Ibáñez Scott, who was also involved with the project, added that the team had a clear vision from the start: “In an era where much of the world has been mapped and explored, Amundsen’s journeys remind us that the true essence of adventure lies not just in discovering new places but in the courage to dream, to dare and to embark on journeys that test our limits and expand our horizons.”

Key specs for Amundsen: Length overall is 77 feet, 2 inches; waterline length is 67 feet, 5 inches; beam is 20 feet, 4 inches; and draft is 7 feet, 1 inch.

Where to learn more: go to kmyachtbuilders.com.

The post The Pelagic 77 <i>Amundsen</i> is Delivered appeared first on Cruising World.

Boat-show season is back, and manufacturers are bringing their A game. With the pandemic slowdown now a fading memory, the industry has a fresh lineup of sailboats. Whether you’re in the market for a weekend cruiser, an island-hopper or a bluewater passagemaker, there’s plenty to explore on the docks this fall. 

This year’s new models include a fusion of tried-and-true designs and technological innovations. Expect to find improvements in safety, performance and layout as well.

The following pages offer a preview of significant launches you’re likely to see on the docks this fall and in the coming year. Several of these vessels are scheduled to be included in the judging for Cruising World’s 2025 Boat of the Year contest. You can follow the URLs for a deeper dive into boats that pique your interest, and inspect them in person at some of this season’s major boat shows. 

Allures 51.9

A powerful 52-footer that begs for bluewater cruising, this aluminum monohull is designed for families or couples. Its hull, penned by the team at Berret-Racoupeau, is defined by lightweight construction, twin rudders, and a centerboard for easy handling. Below, the interior sports a modern vibe with lots of natural light, a well-appointed galley, and a full-beam owners’ stateroom aft. Safety features include a watertight bulkhead and protected rudders, making the Allures 51.9 worth a look for oceangoing cruisers, with points awarded for style. allures.com

Bali 5.8 Open Space

Catana Group is touting the feeling of spaciousness aboard the Bali 5.8. It’s a 59-footer­ with nearly 20 percent more room than its peers, according to the builder. The master stateroom’s shower is a size more typically found in landside homes, and the guest staterooms are spacious enough to rival the master’s on some competing boats. The boat’s layout includes a galley big enough to feed owners and plenty of guests, a salon that’s a social hub, and outdoor spaces to spread out and relax. Sailhandling is intended to make life on deck easy and efficient. bali-catamarans.com

Bavaria C46

Bavaria’s C46 builds on the strong foundation of the C Line. Penned by Cossutti Yacht Design, which is known for fast regatta and racing yachts, the 46 has a revamped rig-sail concept. Don’t be fooled by the size; it’s reportedly friendly to handle, whether singlehanding or with crew. Belowdecks, the C46 has clever layout options with a focus on privacy. There’s an owners’ stateroom, a utility room and a salon filled with natural light. Notable details on this model include an integrated bowsprit and thoughtfully placed instrument displays. bavariayachts.com

Catalina 6 Series 

Catalina has introduced the 6 Series, an evolution in its line of sailboats derived from both in-house R&D and direct owner feedback. Applicable to Catalina models from the 276 to the 446, features of the 6 Series include upgraded keel designs for improved performance and stability, a new Seldén mast and rigging for enhanced control and efficiency, a new mainsheet system, and modern comforts such as upgraded ports, steering pedestals, a monitoring system, diesel heating system options and more. catalinayachts.com

Current Marine 46

Light, fast and agile, the CM46 is a performance-oriented catamaran designed for cruising and racing. Conceived from a groundwork of more than 40 multihull projects, the 46 is an example of the Knysna, South Africa-based builder’s expertise in lightweight construction. Its efficient hull and balanced sail plan are tuned for speed and responsiveness, even in light winds. Twin outboard helms provide good visibility and ease of handling. Inside, accommodations are for eight people in three or four double-berth staterooms, with enough stowage for liveaboard cruising. currentmarine.com

Dufour 44

In a collaborative effort with Felci Yacht Design, Dufour Yachts has unveiled its latest model, the Dufour 44. The idea is to provide a balanced cruising experience of equal parts performance and onboard living. Sleek hull and responsive handling? Check. Loads of interior space? Check. Inviting cockpit for line handling and entertaining? Check. Versatile layout options to accommodate the whole family? Check. Luca Ardizio’s interior emphasizes natural light. The owners’ stateroom is plush, with social spaces throughout to share with guests. dufour-yachts.com 

Elan GT6 Explorer

The GT6 Explorer builds on the platform of the award-­winning Elan GT6, a shorthanded Mediterranean midrange fast cruiser. In collaboration with Studio F.A. Porsche and Humphreys Yacht Design, the builder made key enhancements, including a 3D Vail hull; increased stiffness and enhanced hull mechanics; watertight bulkheads; a staysail forestay; and a sturdy cockpit arch, allowing better protection from the elements. Interior modifications for long-range living include lee cloth installation mounts, a washing machine and dishwasher, and integrated grab rails. The Explorer can also be equipped with a ­1,187-watt-peak solar array. elan-yachts.com

Fountaine Pajot Thira 80

Anyone in the market for a private island should first have a look at Fountaine Pajot’s Thira 80. This French builder’s new flagship has innovative side deck lounges with retractable balconies that create a superyacht ambience. Customizable interiors allow owners to personalize the space with premium materials such as Pierre Frey upholstery. The owners’ stateroom has the option for a sauna, hammam or whirlpool. And the boat still sticks the landing under sail, as a Fountaine Pajot should. fountaine-pajot.com

Grand Soleil 52 Performance  

Penned in a collaboration with Matteo Polli and Nauta Design, the Grand Soleil 52 Performance line is available in two versions: Performance and Race. On the Performance version, owners get an “easy-sailing” deck and sail plan with four aft winches, mainsail sheet with fixed point, self-tacking jib and carbon bowsprit as standard. The Race version gets 6 winches, longitudinal rails for the jib, recessed mainsail traveler, larger sail plan and a longer carbon bowsprit. Recessed rigging means a more comfortable cockpit. The plush interior features a large dinette, loads of storage, an ergonomic and fully equipped C-shaped galley, and three staterooms including a master suite forward. grandsoleil.net

Hanse 360

If you’ve ever been to a boat show, you’ve likely heard a salesman say, “It has space comparable to a much larger boat.” Here, a builder lives up to it. The interior of the Hanse 360 is intended to impress shoppers looking at 40-footers. From the cockpit to the staterooms, the 360 strikes a nice balance between form and functionality. Handling should be a breeze for solo sailors or families thanks to a self-tacking jib, twin helms and an advanced control system. The naval architects at Berret-Racoupeau have designed an able performer, with a hydrodynamic hull and efficient sail plan. The option for electric propulsion and sustainable sailcloth is a plus for environmentally conscious cruisers. hanseyachts.com

Island Packet 42 Motor Sailer

After years of hinting about a bold new tack, Largo, Florida-based Island Packet has unveiled its Motor Sailer 42. A cruiser’s cruiser that honors the brand’s heritage, the 42MS blends the comforts of a stout trawler with the cruising characteristics of a pedigreed sailing yacht. Light and livability reign supreme on the dual-level design. Up top, an open-­concept plan marries the salon and galley into a social space. On the lower level, privacy awaits with a variety of accommodation configurations, stowage solutions and easy engine-room access. ipy.com

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350

The Sun Odyssey 350 is a user-­friendly cruiser that carries forward from the Sun Odyssey 349. A new hull enhances performance and maneuverability, while walk-around side decks and twin steering wheels improve safety and control. The spacious, light-filled interior creates a welcoming atmosphere for family cruising. With a focus on practicality, the 350 is a nice package for coastal cruisers. jeanneau.com

J/40

Designed for speed and stability, the J/40 from the Newport, Rhode Island-based builder excels in both light- and heavy-wind conditions. Its user-friendly sail plan and balanced helm make it an option for experienced sailors and novices alike. The spacious cockpit, with 360-­degree visibility, is intended for entertaining as much as sailing. Belowdecks, the J/40 has modern interiors with loads of natural light and thoughtful layouts perfect for cruising or racing. Built with J/Composites’ infusion technology, the J/40 is as durable as it is enjoyable to sail. jboats.com

Lagoon 43

VPLP Design, Patrick Le Quement and Nauta Design have proved a winning combination on previous Lagoon models, and the Lagoon 43 has a similar pedigree. Intended for cruising couples or young families, the 43 can be ordered in a three- or four-stateroom version that’s outfitted with six to 13 berths—and the staterooms are larger than on previous models. (In the three-stateroom version, the entire starboard hull is an owners’ suite.) Redesigned access via an extra aft entryway for each hull makes movement around the boat easier. catamarans-lagoon.com

Leopard 46

The Leopard 46 is an evolution from its predecessor, the 45, blending bluewater capability with cutting-edge design. While maintaining Leopard’s signature seaworthiness and easy handling, the 46 introduces a refined interior and enhanced performance through stepped hulls and a powerful rig. A standout feature is the integration of the aft cockpit and salon, creating a vast, versatile living space when needed. Four spacious double cabins are standard, with an optional fifth cabin or a utility room. Optional electric drives offer eco-conscious cruising and silent running. leopardcatamarans.com

Moody DS48

The Moody DS48 follows in the footsteps of its award-winning predecessor, the DS41, combining the spaciousness of a catamaran with the handling of a monohull. Its rigid hull, chines, and 1,680-square-foot sail area deliver speed and stability. The Decksaloon concept includes an open living space that integrates the galley, salon and cockpit on a single level with panoramic views. Belowdecks, the DS48 has accommodations options, including a private owners’ stateroom. With a focus on customization, this yacht is designed for extended cruising and leisurely exploration. moody-yachts.com

Nautitech 48 Open

The final design from naval architect Marc Lombard, the Nautitech 48 Open is a performance-oriented catamaran with light displacement and nimble handling thanks to long, slim keels. Its reverse bow and chine hull yield the brand’s trademark low profile and impressive performance. The 48 Open has nearly 1,400 square feet of sail area, easily managed by electric winches and well-placed controls. A standout feature is the twin outboard helms, providing excellent visibility. The interior is spacious, with a living area that focuses on functionality. nautitechcatamarans.com

Neel 52

Also penned by naval architect Marc Lombard, the Neel 52 is a high-performance trimaran designed for fast cruising. With an average cruising speed of 10 knots—capable of reaching up to 18 knots in favorable conditions—and its ability to cover 200 nautical miles in a day, this boat is intended for serious sailors. Constructed with a composite sandwich core, the Neel 52 prioritizes strength and water resistance perfect for serious offshore passages. Yet, this trimaran also caters to leisure cruising, with a spacious cockpit, a “cockloon” living ­area, and panoramic salon views. neel-trimarans.com

Outremer 52

Long before winning Multihull of the Year at the European Yacht of the Year Awards for its 52-footer, Outremer had grown a serious fan base, and its boats are often crowd-pleasers. The 52 blends the best of its predecessors—the award-winning 51 and 55—into a stylish, seaworthy package. There is carbon-fiber construction for strength and lightness, roomy interiors with customizable options, and a layout that’s as practical as it is pretty. With features such as adjustable helm positions and a cockpit bar, this boat is built for comfort and adventure. catamaran-outremer.com

Pegasus 50

The Slovenian-built Pegasus 50 offers fast, capable bluewater cruising with livability in mind. It has a lightweight carbon-­fiber hull and a double wing keel, which helps to reduce leeway and improve upwind performance. Its layout, including a convertible cockpit roof and open-plan living areas, makes it feel larger than its LOA suggests. The Pegasus 50 also has a powerful sail plan, paired with electric winches, making shorthanding a breeze. The watermaker, generator and solar panels prime this yacht for extended offshore passages. pegasus-yachts.com

St Francis 460 Hybrid Sailing Catamaran

The St Francis 46 is a bluewater catamaran designed for comfort cruising. In a collaboration with designers Anton Du Toit of Du Toit Yacht Design and Angelo Lavranos, the 460 focuses on performance and handling. Its interior has large windows and a versatile galley/salon area, and options are a three- or four-stateroom layout. The 460 is built with an epoxy-based hull and deck, and is equipped with premium brands, including Yanmar engines, Sparcraft masts and North sails. stfranciscatamarans.com 

Tartan 335

Catering to the experienced sailor and the weekend cruiser, the Tartan 335 blends traditional aesthetics with modern technology. This couples cruiser has all the true Tartan contours: just the right amount of spring to the sheerline, a purposeful bow profile, and a classic transom, complemented by a deckhouse and cockpit coamings with sweet, sweeping lines. The 335 has an ­open-layout interior with stowage and amenities for real cruising. Advanced composite construction, including a carbon mast and rudder, contributes to the 335’s speed and responsiveness, while the well-balanced sail plan and low center of gravity enhance the sailing experience. tartanyachts.com

Vision 444 ES

Many big cruising cats are a compromise by design: Some go to private owners, while the rest go into charter. The Vision 444 is different. This is a pure cruising cat, and a fine one at that. The Vision 444 that won Best Cruising Catamaran Under 50 Feet in last year’s Boat of the Year competition was designed and built for bluewater challenges and self-reliant cruising couples. So is the next-gen 444 ES. It brings hull-design tweaks enabling positive buoyancy aft, along with a longer waterline and a better platform. It also removes a step in the transom, and allows for five carbon-fiber struts abaft the coachroof for better solar-panel placement. visionyachts.com

Windelo 50

The Windelo 50 is a French-built catamaran that blends performance with sustainability. It has a sleek new look, upgraded features, and a focus on eco-friendliness. The centerline helm amidships provides great visibility and control for easier maneuvering. There’s also an electric-propulsion concept, combined with solar and hydro power, allowing for autonomy and a reduced carbon footprint. The powerful rig and daggerboards create a catamaran that’s as fun to sail as it is friendly to the planet. windelo-catamaran.com

Xquisite Yachts Sixty Solar Sail

Xquisite’s Sixty Solar Sail is an eco-friendly, sun-powered sailing machine. With its solar panels and battery bank, owners can kiss diesel generators goodbye. Sail controls are laid out for singlehanding, and there’s a carbon-fiber boom and furling mainsail, along with an electric traveler. Homey amenities include a multizone Fusion Apollo sound system, a full-height double-door fridge/freezer, a dishwasher and a vented washer/dryer. Up top, a drawer-style drink fridge means nobody has to go below to grab a cold beverage. xquisiteyachts.com

The post New Boats on Deck appeared first on Cruising World.

Gig Harbor Boat Works, which was founded in 1986, says the 17’ Salish Voyager it is premiering this month at the Annapolis Sailboat Show has quickly become its most sought-after model.

“It rows and sails equally well, and can be rowed while the sail rig is up, so it’s super easy to switch modes as conditions change,” says Katie Malik, general manager of Gig Harbor Boat Works. “The balanced lug rig is quick to rig, simple to learn, and forgiving to sail. It rows like a dream with the included sliding rowing seat, and has an optional tandem slider so you can share the journey with a partner. With that kind of versatility, and low cost of ownership, there’s a lot of appeal in a small trailerable boat in this day and age.”

The boat is intended for long-distance rowing and sailing, with tandem sliding rowing seats. Gig Harbor Boat Works’ team used its Jersey Skiff and Melonseed models as inspiration to blend top features into one craft.

More specifically, the 17’ Salish Voyager has the Jersey Skiff hull with a new interior that supports the lug rig, along with features of the Melonseed for ease of assembly and forgiving sail attributes. The boat has enclosed storage and a self-bailing sole in case of rough seas or heavy rain.

“The Salish Voyager can be launched, rigged, and under sail in a matter of minutes, so you can take advantage of a nice breeze whenever the mood strikes,” says Falk Bock, production manager at Gig Harbor Boat Works. “She’s well-suited to both daysailing and overnight beach camping due to the  enclosed flotation, a self-bailing floor, and ample dry storage. With shallow draft and a hull designed for beach landings, the Salish Voyager lets you go where a lot of larger vessels can’t.”

Nancy Pfeiffer, who with her partner, Fredrik, rowed and sailed a 17’ Salish Voyager for a little over a year and 1,500 nautical miles in Southeast Alaska, said the boat “occupied a unique niche between the kayakers we were previously and the world of ‘big boats.’ She was far easier to fish from than a kayak, and made a great photography platform. We loved being right at eye level with the wildlife.”

Pfeiffer said she and her partner would have one person on the oars, and the other on the tiller.

“We could generate our own wind and really move along while having a light feeling on the oars,” she said. “We often sailed when bigger boats were motoring. It felt good to not be consuming fossil fuel.”

Where to learn more: go to ghboats.com.

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The Allures 51.9 is a third-generation aluminum centerboard cruising sailboat from the French builder, coming after the Allures 51 and Allures 52—along with the 15 years of design and owner feedback the yard collected and analyzed.

On the exterior, the Allures 51.9 has a cockpit and sunbathing area that’s nearly 20 feet long. It has easy passage to the side decks for the owners and guests to move around the boat. A rigid Bimini top gives protection from the elements while still allowing good visibility forward. The sugar scoop transforms into a swim platform and can stow a tender.

Inside, natural light streams through glazed areas and hatches, backed up by discreet LED lighting. The chart table is a proper desk with stowage space, and the U-shaped galley is laid out to be practical underway. There’s also a companionway aft, leading to the owner’s stateroom, where a Pullman berth can serve as a pilot berth or accommodate an extra crew member.

That owner’s stateroom spans the full beam of the Allures 51.9 with enough stowage to make longer-range cruising an option.

Construction is an aluminum hull with a composite deck, and a watertight aluminum forward bulkhead for added safety. The rudders also are designed for protection against impact, for bluewater cruising.

Allures 51.9 Specifications

The post Introducing the Allures 51.9 appeared first on Cruising World.

Beneteau has launched a new model, the First 30, that it also sees as the first in a new category of sailboats: the planing cruiser.

The builder’s thinking is that until the turn of the century, small racer-cruisers matched sailors’ needs. Today, the racer-cruiser is outdated, since people want to spend more time connecting with nature and having fun with family and friends.

“We realized that sailors needed more than a traditional racer-cruiser,” says Andraz Mihelin, the CEO of Seascape, which worked with Beneteau on the project. “We have decided to create a new, groundbreaking category of sailboats: the planing cruiser.”

According to Beneteau, the First 30 planes quickly and easily while being easy to handle, including at double-digit speeds.

“With low loads, a simple rig and an uncluttered cockpit, it doesn’t need a large crew or intense training sessions to make sailing it fun and safe in all conditions—both shorthanded and as a family,” according to Beneteau.

The First 30 has headroom of 6 feet in the saloon, a galley with a gimbaled stove and fridge, a marine head and two staterooms (forward and aft).

Sustainable materials used in the boat’s construction include cork flooring, and there are innovations such as magnetic doors and ambient lighting.

Owners can choose Beneteau’s “premium pack,” which adds high-quality upholstery, a cutting board, a choice of inner liner colors and materials, and atmospheric lighting.

Two deck layout options are available: one for day sailors and cruisers, and one for racers. Both layouts include features such as backrests and toe rails. In the cruising layout, the main and jib sheets are controlled through what Beneteau calls “generously sized winches,” so sail trim doesn’t require undue physical strength. Control lines are within reach, even when the boat is heeled, and the cockpit sole remains uncluttered.

The racing layout adds a mainsail traveler and additional trim controls.

Where will the Beneteau First 30 make its debut? At Boot Dusseldorf in January 2025. The base price is expected to be about $112,000.

How to learn more: visit beneteau.com.

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Built in Orust, Sweden, to withstand the harsh conditions of the North Sea, Hallberg-Rassy yachts over the years have tended to pull at the heartstrings of Cruising World’s Boat of the Year judges, mine included. So it came as no surprise that when I stepped aboard the HR 40C at last year’s Annapolis Sailboat Show, I was instantly smitten.

So too was my fellow judge Tim Murphy, who in numerous notes used the word “best” to describe such attributes as construction, equipment access, electrical system, soundproofing, and the like.

On some new boats, one can’t help but ponder what they might look like after a few thousand miles. With the Hallberg-Rassy 40C, there was no wondering, because the boat had already sailed 10,000 miles across the Atlantic, through the Caribbean, and up the East Coast. How did it look upon arrival on the dock in Annapolis? Perfect.

Even in the pouring rain, the 40C’s teak decks appeared elegant when we arrived for our dockside inspection. The deep cockpit was inviting, and the glass windshield and dodger offered protection from the drizzle. Below, the glow of the mahogany interior woodwork and plush upholstery promised equal measures of comfort and practicality to keep a crew rested and safe no matter the passage.

Thanks to a longtime collaboration with the Germán Frers design team, Hallberg-Rassy’s range has a consistent look and feel. But that hasn’t precluded the introduction of modern design elements such as wider beam carried aft to provide increased interior volume, twin rudders for better handling, and a plumb bow that increases the 40C’s waterline.

HR hulls are hand-laid and cored with Divinycell foam, except around where the lead keel is attached. There the laminate is solid, as it is where hardware is mounted on the Divinycell-cored deck, cockpit and coachroof.

Topsides, there are three options for decking: nonslip gelcoat, PU teak (polyurethane substitute) or real Burmese teak, which was on the boat we got to sail. The latter two materials are glued down to avoid fasteners that can allow water to penetrate.

A buyer has several choices when it comes to interior layouts. The boat we visited had an optional centerline queen berth in the aft stateroom rather than the standard two separate berths. In the salon, an L-shaped settee to port surrounds a wood drop-leaf table. Opposite, the starboard settee can be replaced by a pair of armchairs and a cocktail table. A head and shower, and a double berth, are forward.

The 40C also has two cruising-friendly galley designs. The larger option provides more counter and stowage space at the cost of less room in the starboard cockpit locker. That’s how the boat in Annapolis was laid out, and I think it’s the option I’d go with. 

In recent aft-stateroom models, including the 40C, HR has employed a nifty design trick that involves a slightly wider cockpit coaming topsides to allow for more headroom in the belowdecks passageway aft. It works well, as does the engine placement in the 40C. The 60 hp Volvo Penta diesel is installed abaft the boat’s saildrive, which opens up room under the companionway steps for a genset. Access to both motors is excellent when checking fluids or changing filters, and the space is well-insulated, so sound levels are quiet underway.

Judging colleague Herb McCormick had this to say about accommodations: “The HR 40C is a flat-out great sailboat, with all the care and attention to detail you’d find in the brand’s larger offerings in a sweet, compact package. I was a bit skeptical that HR could pull off their signature center-cockpit configuration in a 40-foot yacht, but the layout is crisp and well-executed above deck and below. In fact, that cockpit was as comfy and efficient as just about any boat we sailed in the 2024 fleet—the great sight lines and visibility were icing on the cake.”

For his part, Murphy noted that the boat’s battery bank—6-volt, wet-cell Trojan truck batteries, run in series to create a 12-volt system—has the advantage of being able to drain to 40 percent rather than the customary 50 percent discharge common with AGM batteries. This setup gives the system greater usable capacity. (Lithium batteries are an option.) The 40C’s stern and bow thrusters run on 24 volts.

The standard rig for the boat is a three-spreader Seldén spar with a full-batten main. The boat in Annapolis had an electric in-mast furling main and an electric jib furler, allowing sails to be set and doused with the touch of a couple of buttons. Electric winches also ensured that sails—main, 110 percent genoa and code zero—could be easily tamed.

Conditions were light for our test sail. The breeze was only 6 knots, and I was afraid at first that we wouldn’t be able to learn much about the boat’s performance. Instead, my colleagues and I were blown away when we took off at 5 knots and change. Sitting to the side of the boat’s single, large steering wheel, I found the visibility forward to be excellent, and the telltales on the jib and code zero were easy to keep an eye on.

And the feel of the Lewmar rod steering? Well, I wrote, “smooth as butter” in my notebook. But on this attribute, I’ll give Murphy the last word. “Steering is absolutely divine,” he wrote in his.

Mark Pillsbury is a CW editor-at-large and was a 2024 Boat of the Year judge.

Hallberg-Rassy 40C Specifications

Take the next step

Price: $800,000
Contact: 410-867-9022 
hallberg-rassy.com

The post Sailboat Review: Hallberg-Rassy 40C appeared first on Cruising World.

Balance Catamarans has announced two models that are expected to launch in 2025 and 2026: the 502 Carbon Core and 464 Carbon Core, both of which are available with standard diesel engines or the new VersaDrive diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system.

The yard designed these models to accommodate the Integrel E- Drive hybrid propulsion system, to produce better after-end weight distribution, add battery and solar payload capacity, and increase power and speed with larger sail plans and carbon composite construction.

The Integrel E-Drive has dual 45 hp Yanmar diesel engines, and up to 30 kW of power charging and 40 hp of electric drive.

“While the hull window lines have changed a bit, the new models retain the same du Toit- styling DNA of our original models,” Phil Berman, president of Balance Catamarans, stated in a press release. “Classic, clean, bling-free and sleek. All the best features of our boats have been retained in these new designs, but we’ve supercharged performance voyaging by building these new models longer, leaner, faster and capable of carrying additional payloads without penalty.”

The boats also have a new carbon core framework, which is 100 percent carbon fiber. Bulkheads, partition boards, primary beams, chain plates, cabin soles, daggerboards and trunks, along with rudders, are full carbon construction. Real wood is used for the handmade cabinetry.

In terms of sailing components, these models have a high-performance-oriented forebeam, crossbeam and longeron, combined with a taller mast. All of that is intended to supercharge light-air and top-end sailing performance.

The VersaStern lets boaters fully secure the cockpit in a matter of seconds by lifting and attaching a door. To dock or simply leave the stern steps open, boaters drop the door over the engine hatch. This feature eliminates the need for washboards or stern screens to stop waves from coming into the cockpit, and helps to keep kids and animals safe.

A newly designed coach top carries molded airflow solar cavities and built-in handholds, while the stern ladder now deploys inside the transoms. The models also have Balance’s version of galley dish storage and a drying rack, while the master head’s vanity and toilet spaces have been expanded and improved. The salon entrance door is wider for increased ventilation, and the builder increased the forward stateroom’s ventilation with custom opening ports that can stay open at anchor, even when it’s raining.

For better visibility, Balance removed the central mullion post in the salon, and designed larger ventilation hatches and a bigger wind-catching salon roof hatch.

The interior décor has an Italian inspiration with frameless cabinets, a lounge-style salon with a convertible table, and a nav station that can double as an office with a hideaway charging station.

“At Balance, we have always valued innovation in design, seeing it as critical to driving change in an industry that tends to look backward,” Berman added. “The award-winning and widely copied VersaHelm is just one example. But of course, all the great things sailors love about Balance designs remain: the VersaHelm, all-glass windows, handmade cabinets, striking interior design, and the superb ergonomics of moving about Balance catamarans, outside and inside, and the smart ease of sailing hallmarks throughout the vessel.”

Take the next step: Click over to balancecatamarans.com.

The post 2 New Models from Balance Catamarans appeared first on Cruising World.

Following the U.S. premiere of the Windelo 50 Yachting in Miami earlier this year, Windelo Catamaran made its first-ever appearance at the 2024 Annapolis Sailboat Show as a Boat of the Year nominee with its Windelo 54 Yachting. The Windelo 54 Second Star arrived at the Annapolis show fresh off a transatlantic journey on its own hull along the north route.

Designed by architects Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman, and conceived with sustainability and performance as paramount, the Windelo 54 Yachting builds on lessons learned from the Windelo 50, such as sailing at 3 to 4 knots on true wind speed for minimal energy use, and has cutting-edge features that offer comfort and performance while significantly reducing the environmental impact of cruising.

Key features include:

• Eco-Friendly Structure: Constructed with an environmentally-friendly composite sandwich of basalt fiber and PET foam, which reduces the boat’s carbon footprint by 47 percent.
• Solar and Electric Propulsion: Equipped with 5,880 W solar panels, electric motors, and an under-sail hydro-generation system, offering zero-emission sailing and up to four hours of autonomy using purely green energies.
• Unique Interior/Exterior Design: The Windelo 54 offers enhanced interior/exterior modularity with a spacious nacelle and a forward cockpit at the foot of the mast, centralizing vessel operation for a safer and more comfortable sailing experience.

The Windelo 54, which earlier this year was named Multihull of the Year in the Premiere category at the International Multihull Show in France, has electric motors for more sustainable cruising and is built with an eco-responsible composite that reportedly reduces the environmental footprint of the production process by 47 percent. The composite is made of basalt fiber (volcanic rock) and PET foam (from recycled plastic bottles). Windelo architects Christophe Barreau and Frédéric Neuman developed this composite in collaboration with researchers from the École des Mines d’Alès in France. 

Windelo’s Electric Drive System & Green Energy Explained

Windelo’s team also reorganized the onboard space for additional guest comfort, with a forward cockpit and full-length nacelle that is open 360 degrees. Essentially, according to Windelo, the sailing experience has become more comfortable and social while entirely connected with the surrounding environment.

The Windelo 54 can use renewable energy, including solar and hydrogeneration, for up to four hours of engine range per day at 6 knots. That’s with all the navigation and “home comforts” being used, according to the builder. Windelo also used natural, eco-friendly or bio-based materials in the boat’s interior design. Examples include wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council along with recycled and organic textiles. Like the Windelo 50, the Windelo 54 can be ordered in three versions: Sport, Yachting and Adventure.

The Sport version is a high-performance boat built with carbon and technical fabrics to reduce weight, along with equipment and deck gear options to optimize performance under sail.

On the Yachting version of the Windelo 54, owners can choose the widest range of customizations, such as materials and detailed trims. 

The Adventure version—which is ideal for owners who want to offer their boats for charter—has upgraded hull protections with robust, easy-maintenance materials for exploration cruising.

Windelo 54 Specifications

About Windelo Catamaran

Windelo Catamaran, founded in Canet-en-Roussillon, is a shipyard dedicated to building eco-friendly, innovative, comfortable and high-performance catamarans. The family-owned company is driven by a passion for boating and a commitment to protecting the environment. For more information, visit Windelo’s website.

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