There is nothing quite like a sailing vacation. Whether you’re after sunshine and beam reaches, rum drinks and reggae, or quiet anchorages and adventures ashore, a charter with The Moorings can deliver exactly what you have in mind.

“The British Virgin Islands is our flagship operation and the most popular charter destination in the world”, says Josie Tucci, VP of Marketing for The Moorings. “Over the past few years we have made unprecedented investments in the marina facility and fleet in the BVI, which have all recently been completed. Whether it is your first time visiting us, or you are revisiting The Moorings for the first time in a while, we are confident guests will be pleased with the improvements welcoming them upon arrival.”

From a new watersports shop, to newly-built docks, a new on-site supermarket and remodeled hotel, there is no shortage of upgrades to experience. Also new is the option for a skipper-only charter aboard a dedicated catamaran, in addition to traditional bareboat and fully crewed options. A skipper-only charter is a great choice for anyone who wants a skipper on board to handle all the safety, operation and navigation needs—not to mention bringing in-depth local knowledge along for the ride. With a skipper-only charter, guests are in charge of their own meals. If you enjoy dining ashore at the BVI’s restaurants and bars, then a skipper-only charter can be a great choice.

“The beauty of a charter with The Moorings is that you can enjoy your vacation your way,” Tucci says. “If you want to be fully in command as a bareboater, you can do that. If you want a skipper to handle the boat for you, that’s an option too. And if you want a fully crewed package with a chef to take care of meals, we have wonderful, professional Crews on staff ready to pamper you. However you envision the perfect cruising vacation, The Moorings can make it happen.”

The Moorings flagship base at Road Town, Tortola, had to be completely rebuilt after Hurricane Irma. They took the opportunity to reimagine the base with everything you need to equip your yacht for your itinerary around the BVI. From thenew Moorings Market for provisioning food and beverages (with an online-shopping option), to the water toy rental and watersports shop run by Sail Caribbean Divers, you’ll have everything you need without having to endure an off-base excursion. Just enjoy your first night with dinner and drinks at Charlies Restaurant, featuring  a revamped menu.. There’s also a rejuvenated fleet of sailing catamarans such as the Moorings 4200, the larger Moorings 4500 and the flagship Moorings 5000, each of which won Boat of the Year honors upon launch. The power catamaran fleet now includes the three-cabin Moorings 403PC, the four-cabin 464PC and and the larger 534PC. Prefer a monohull? No problem. As many as 12 brand-new monohull yachts arrive this fall.

And, in great news for anyone traveling from the United States to the British Virgin Islands, American Airlines is now offering seasonal nonstop flights from Miami to Beef Island, Tortola. These flights will operate during the summer and winter months.

Once aboard the boat, the rest of the BVI is yours to discover—explore the magical Baths on Virgin Gorda; sip a Painkiller at the Soggy Dollar on Jost Van Dyke; and check out the Indians, one of the best snorkeling spots in the area. 

In the U.S. Virgin Islands, from The Moorings base at the Marina at Yacht Haven Grande, you can explore all that St. Thomas offers, including abundant shopping and nightlife. Then head out to explore beautiful and laid-back St. John, where you can experience the pristine beaches of Cinnamon Bay, excellent snorkeling at Leinster Bay, and even some hiking trails at Virgin Islands National Park.

Abacos, Bahamas

The Moorings base at the Abaco Beach Resort is located in Marsh Harbour, Bahamas, a central location that makes it the perfect place to start your exploration of the Abacos—a longtime favorite destination for cruising sailors. Enjoy sailing in the protected waters of the Sea of Abaco to destinations that include quaint villages such as Hope Town and Green Turtle Cay, and abundant secluded anchorages.

Exumas, Bahamas

If you’re looking for an out-islands experience, an Exumas charter might be for you. Departing from The Moorings base at Palm Cay Marina in Nassau, Bahamas, visitors can then cruise down to the Exuma Cays, a string of 365 islands and cays that stretch for 120 miles. Many sailors who have traveled the world agree that the Exumas are their favorite cruising grounds. Once you go, you will understand. From exploring the mangrove creeks of Shroud Cay and the incredible Thunderball Grotto to the friendly settlement of Black Point and colorful Staniel Cay, the Exumas offer a wide variety of experiences—and unforgettable sunsets on the Great Bahama Bank.

The Magical Med

If your dream sailing vacation includes exploring ancient ruins, villages steeped in history, and a variety of sailing conditions, a sailing vacation in the Mediterranean might be just what you’re looking for. From The Moorings bases in Italy, Greece and Croatia, you can choose the Med experience that suits you best. Looking for sun-soaked beaches, quaint tavernas and excellent scuba diving? Try a charter from Corfu in Greece. Does visiting an abundance of islands offering everything from wild, barren landscapes to historic towns and lively nightlife sound ideal? A Croatia and Dalmatian Islands charter is for you. How about a view of mountain peaks, incredible cuisine, and soaking in hot springs? Check out a sailing vacation from Sicily.

Whichever location you choose, a charter in the Med is an incredible experience. If you are looking to do a bareboat charter in one of these destinations, you will need to have an approved sailing license, such as an International Proficiency Certificate, or have passed ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) or US Sailing Bareboat Cruising courses. No certifications? No worries. Crewed charters are available with a captain and a chef.

And don’t worry if you can’t make up your mind about which destination you want to visit next. With so many fantastic options, it sometimes takes several charters to enjoy them all.

“Some of our guests return to The Moorings year after year, exploring new destinations, trying out new boats, and further improving their own sailing skills,” Tucci says. “The fun can be endless if you’re cruising with family and friends. These are the kinds of memories that will last a lifetime.”

For more information and to start booking your charter vacation, visit The Moorings or speak to a vacation planner directly by calling 800-416-0247.

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Did you know that one of the most popular ways to go on a sailing vacation in the Med is to join a flotilla? It’s a relatively novel concept in the North America and Caribbean charter markets, but if you want to expand your sailing horizons, it might be just what you’re looking for—whether you’re a newcomer to sailing or an old salt.

Curious? Let’s look at what a Sunsail flotilla is and what the experience is like by debunking some misconceptions.

What is a Flotilla?

Sunsail pioneered the flotilla charter concept in the 70’s and has since welcomed tens of thousands of sailors from all over the world to this unique social-sailing experience. Celebrating 50 years in business in 2024, Sunsail is the go-to charter provider for bareboat sailing and flotilla vacations. The company’s mantra is that it is run “by Sailors, for Sailors”, and this passion for sailing shines through every part of the customer journey.

 In its most basic form, a flotilla is a group of yachts chartering together with some extra support and a structured itinerary. What does this look like in practice? A Sunsail flotilla typically lasts one or two weeks, and has about eight to 10 participating boats along with a lead boat, which has a skipper, technician (to help with any mechanical issues on the boats) and host. Depending on the route and timing, there might even be an activity coordinator just for kids.

What makes the experience special is all the details—such as sailing routes, moorings and marina stays—are worked out ahead of time, and there is a variety of optional planned activities. Each morning, the flotilla skipper hosts a chart briefing to go over the day’s journey and any weather updates, as well as places of interest to visit. As the boats arrive at the destination, the lead boat crew is there for assistance with tying up at the night’s mooring or dock. The flotilla host plans events, including beach barbecues, punch parties and group dinners, so you can get to know your sailing group. The host can also direct you to the best restaurants, beaches and local attractions.

Sunsail flotillas are primarily available in the Mediterranean at bases in Croatia, Greece and Italy. Each flotilla destination has a unique itinerary, so you can choose something that interests you. Want some action? Try kitesurfing on a Lefkas, Greece, flotilla. Is history your thing? You’ll find an abundance of historical sites to visit on Sunsail’s flotilla route from Dubrovnik, Croatia. For something a little different, Sunsail also offers themed food-and-wine flotillas in Italy.

“Our food-and-wine flotillas have proved incredibly popular,” says Josie Tucci, Sunsail’s vice president of sales and marketing. “We’ve redone our Croatia itineraries to capture even more of the coastline’s natural beauty and architecture, and we recently added another food-and-wine flotilla option in Italy. Our goal is to help Sunsail guests experience the very best of the region, as well as authentic local cuisine, at every stop along these itineraries.”

Still have some questions? Let’s bust some myths about flotilla charters!

Myth 1: I’ll be sharing the boat with strangers

Not true! Each boat on a Sunsail flotilla is booked and sailed individually, just like it would be if you were doing a bareboat charter. Just pick your crew and choose your boat! Alternatively, if you’re new to sailing (or just want to relax more), you can hire a skipper for the duration of the flotilla. Or you can turn the adventure into a real learning experience through the Sunsail Flotilla Hero program, which provides Royal Yachting Association instruction, allowing you to earn certification while on vacation.

Myth 2: We will have to sail in a line from place to place and won’t have any freedom to do what we want.

This is a common misconception about flotilla charters, but nothing could be further from the truth! While there is a set flotilla itinerary, charterers are free to sail as they wish between destinations many itineraries include a free day, allowing crews to set their own agenda. Any planned activities, meals or excursions are optional.

Myth 3: Flotillas are only for beginner sailors.

Flotillas are for sailors of all experience levels. Just like a bareboat charter, however, the skipper of the boat needs to be qualified. If you’re planning on a Sunsail flotilla in the Med, you will need to have certifications through ASA 104 (Bareboat Cruising) or US Sailing Bareboat Cruising. After that, you can apply for an International Proficiency Certificate, which is the US equivalent to the International Certificate of Competence typically issued by the RYA.

Many recently certified sailors enjoy the structure and additional support flotillas offer, which allows them to get a bit steadier on their sea legs before doing a solo bareboat charter. Are you an old salt but new to chartering in the Med? A flotilla is an excellent way to get familiar with a new cruising ground. Cruising with kids? Sunsail flotillas are great for families and provide opportunities for the kids to make some new friends.

Ian Pedersen, Sunsail’s senior marketing manager, offers one piece of advice for someone looking to try their first flotilla: “Keep an open mind, and embrace the social aspect of the flotilla concept,” he says. “People from all over the world and all walks of life come together to celebrate a week on the water, and that is where lifelong acquaintances and friendships can be made. You begin the week as complete strangers, but shared experiences like this really have a way of bringing people together.”

Start booking by visiting sunsail.com or speak to a Sunsail vacation planner directly by calling 800-734-5254.

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Two new entries in Dufour Yachts’ Grand Large range will make their official North American debuts alongside all the other new sailboats on display at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, this October 10-14. But unlike many boats that arrive so new that threads fly off the sails the first time they’re unfurled for sea trials after the all-sail annual coming out party, this pair of Dufours should be well sorted, having arrived from France this past spring.

Just about the time cherry blossoms were in full bloom, I got to hop aboard the new 390 and its larger sibling, the 430, on a sunny, though not too windy day on Chesapeake Bay. I’ll be right up front about saying that I stepped off each with a smile plastered on my face. These boats were fun to sail.

The two new cruising sailboats are part of an Umberto Felci-designed range that stretches from 31 to 63 feet, with 11 models to choose from. As you might imagine, there are common traits found throughout, with the abundance of creature comforts increasing apace with length and beam.

What remains relatively constant, though, are the sailing capabilities, thanks to battened mainsails that are flaked in boom pouches when not in use; slippery chined hulls; sprits for off-wind code zeros and the like; and choices between self-tacking jibs or slightly overlapped genoas, and shoal and performance keels and masts.

Both the boats I boarded in Annapolis featured fold-down swim platforms, twin wheels, cockpit tables with drop-down leaves, and outdoor galleys sporting a grill and sink built into the transom seats.

Below, both boats benefited from three ports in either side of their hulls that, by day, brightened up sleeping cabins and the saloon, and both featured overhead hatches near the mast, whose glass stretched nearly the width of the cabin top.

The 390 we sailed was configured with a genoa and adjustable fairleads; the 430 with a foredeck track and a self-tending jib. The latter made for easy sailing when tacking hard on the wind, though the genoa provided a little more oomph, I thought, when cracked off on a reach. I think if I were buying either boat, I’d opt for the sprit and an off-wind sail just to keep things lively.

The 390 in Annapolis, priced at $303,000 and change, featured a pair of aft cabins and two heads, one at the foot of the companionway to port and the other forward in the owner’s stateroom. In this version, there’s an L-shaped galley opposite the aft head and a large dining table with seating to either side forward in the saloon. Other possible layouts include a sleeping cabin fore and aft (with an athwartships double in the latter), a large storage area aft to port and a larger aft head compartment. It’s also possible to have three cabins and three heads, with an inline galley filling the port side of the saloon.

The 430 has options too, and as sailed carried a $425,000 price tag. The model I jumped on came with the galley forward, with cooking spaces on either side of the centerline. In this configuration, there are two aft cabins, a large head at the foot of the companionway to port, and another forward in the owner’s stateroom. The saloon has a dining area to starboard with a pair of seats opposite. The boat is also available with a fourth cabin with bunks, located opposite the aft head; in this version, there’s an inline galley to port in the saloon, with a dining table to starboard.

We sailed the 430 first. As I said, the breeze was light, about 6 knots. Still we cruised along, making about 3 knots, and added a couple more when the wind gusted to a rousing 8. Conditions were better in the afternoon for our sail on the 390, with the breeze closer to 10 and boat speed in the 6-plus-knot range.

It’s easy to get any boat moving when it’s blowing, but both Dufours demonstrated they could put the lighter conditions to good use too. What more could you ask from a couple of debutantes in waiting?

The post The Dufour 390 and 430 Are Ready for Showtime appeared first on Cruising World.

Cruising, racing, daysailing, chartering: Every sailboat is built to meet a need. But in the course of inspecting and sailing some 20-odd vessels during and after the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, each fall, CW’s Boat of the Year judges sometimes have to rely on the builder to make that intent clear.

Not so with the new Hylas 48. From its solid stainless-steel stem fitting and double anchor rollers to a versatile cutter rig, hip-high life lines and robust emergency- steering system, not one of the judges doubted that this was intended to be a long-legged, bluewater voyager.

They were so certain, in fact, they named the Hylas 48 the Best Full-Size Cruiser Under 48 Feet. In being so recognized, the newest yacht from Taiwan’s Queen Long Marine joins a number of its siblings that have received similar accolades over the three generations the family-owned yard has been in operation.

“I’ve always been amazed at how well this boatyard does,” said veteran BOTY technical judge Ed Sherman. “This is a situation where we’ve got an experienced Taiwanese workforce, and they’re artisans. They take what they do seriously, and they do a very good job.”

Sherman’s colleague, judge Alvah Simon, ticked off the reasons he thought the 48 rose to the top of the fleet: “The flow on deck was good, the nonskid was good, the pushpit and pulpit were just excellent. The stanchions were outboard of the toe rail. The vents and hatches were just incredible. I can’t imagine the cost in the stainless-steel work. Lots of good ventilation. Cleats were good. Lifelines were very good.” Simon even praised the size and location of the manual bilge pumps, in close proximity to the helm.

Though the Bill Dixon-designed H48 is somewhat a departure from the builder’s longtime collaboration with Germán Frers, the boat still has the look and feel of a Hylas, with its center-cockpit deck layout and sugar-scoop transom with steps for boarding from the dinghy.

There is a long traveler just aft of the cockpit, mounted on the aft cabin’s roof. And forward, the cutter rig provides a self-tacking jib for upwind work and a genoa that’s mounted forward of it for light-air conditions or when off the wind. Headsail furlers and the in-mast furler for the main are all electric and operated by switches at the wheel.

Underway on Chesapeake Bay, the Hylas definitely had the feel of a heavier displacement cruiser. In 8 or so knots of breeze, we tacked upwind at a not-too-shabby 5.7 knots — I should mention that the Mamba rod steering delighted the fingertips. Bearing off, the speed dipped slightly with just the jib set but bounced back when we rolled out the genny.

It was the boat’s motion, though, that really caught everyone’s attention. “It felt very stiff — in a good way,” noted judge Tim Murphy. “When we were coming down the Severn River, there were powerboats loading in for the next boat show, doing testing and whatnot, and this was kind of an old-school cruising boat feeling when you’d come through those wakes. She just really powered through.”

The H48’s hull is hand-laid, solid fiberglass, with vinylester resin and Isophthalic gelcoat. Below the water line, there are two layers of epoxy barrier coat to prevent blisters. The deck, also hand-laid, is balsa cored. Watertight bulkheads are located at both the bow and stern to enclose the interior in case of a collision.

The boat’s deck-saloon interior is stunning. Wraparound windows in the coachroof provide lots of daylight and a panoramic view. The white composite cabin top and ceiling sits atop rich teak cabinetry, bulkheads and furniture, and the teak-and-holly sole radiates warmth. Deep fiddles line the counters, and all edges and corners are rounded — as they should be.

The boat’s layout is fairly traditional for a center cockpit. A large dining table dominates the saloon, with U-shaped seating to port and a cushioned bench on the centerline. A curved settee is opposite, flanked by a cabinet forward and the nav station and electrical panel aft, near the foot of the companionway. The sole is raised, which both helps the view when seated and allows for tankage and machinery down low in the hull, where it belongs.

To port of the steps, the galley takes up both sides of the passageway leading to the aft cabin. Counter space abounds, as does storage, both under and outboard. The fridge and freezer are top and front opening, and they are located adjacent to the three-burner propane stove and oven.

To port, a walk-through head and shower also leads to the aft cabin, a cozy compartment that any owner should be pleased to call home. An island queen berth sits on a slightly raised sole. In the daytime, light pours in through overhead opening hatches and ports located to either side and behind the bed.

There are two more cabins forward of the saloon, plus a second generously sized head and shower to starboard. To port, there are double bunks for kids or crew; forward, the guest cabin also has an island queen berth.

On deck, the step in and out of the cockpit is a big one, but the Bimini top’s robust frame provides a good handhold, and once inside, there’s not a pressing need to leave.

Sail controls all lead to electric Antal winches adjacent to the wheel, and as mentioned earlier, reefing of sails is a push-button affair, as is operation of the bow thruster. Thick seat and back cushions line the seating area, and the tall coamings provide plenty of support for any crew intent on sitting back and enjoying the ride.

All the comfort and convenience has a cost, of course. The price tag for the H48 starts at right around $730,000; the boat we sailed runs closer to $850,000. Still, I’ll let Simon put that into perspective: “I see real value in this boat because it’s solidly put together. It’s a very elegant-looking boat, and for a couple that wants that kind of bluewater cruiser, I think they’re in for a sweet ride.”

Me too.

Mark Pillsbury is CW‘s editor.

Hylas 48 Specifications

Hylas Yachts
786-497-1882
hylasyachts.com

The post Boat Review: Hylas 48 appeared first on Cruising World.

For a venue to introduce the Beneteau 46.1, the latest model in the long-running Oceanis line, as well as a few other new sailboats to North America, the French builder chose Fort Adams, in Newport, Rhode Island, hosting two days of press and dealer sea trials just prior to the opening of the Newport International Boat Show last September. This was not your usual dog-and-pony presentation. Think instead Westminster Dog Show meets Kentucky Derby. And needless to say, the Pascal Conq-designed 46-footer was dressed to the nines for her debut.

While mainstream builders once used demo boats and long lists of factory-installed or aftermarket options to draw in customers, ­nowadays, new models arrive packed with extras in order to make a splash. In the case of the 46.1, the lengthy list of upgrades included Nordac cruising sails from North; electric Harken winches; a sporty bowsprit/anchor roller for the furling code zero; an in-mast furling mainsail; a cockpit arch to keep the mainsheet up and out of the way; and a full suite of B&G instruments. Oh, and I almost forgot: a swing-out barbecue and sink, built into the transom and adjacent to the fold-down swim platform.

To put it all in perspective, the base price of the 46.1 is right around $320,000. The boat we got to sail in Newport, and which CW‘s Boat of the Year judges inspected a few weeks later at the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, carried a price tag of $520,000. That, if nothing else, demonstrates the wide range of factory customization that is now possible with a production boat.

I got to jump aboard the 46.1 in both locations, and up front, I’ll admit our test sails did not involve a hands-on inspection of the open-air galley described above. But what they did include were chances to experience a couple of quite enjoyable spells at the helm. On Chesapeake Bay, in about 10 knots of breeze with the 107 percent genoa unfurled, we tacked upwind at 7.6 knots. Cracked off to a reach, with the code zero set, our speed hovered right around 9 knots. On and off the wind, the twin wheels felt silky smooth, sheets were close at hand and there was plenty of room in the back of the cockpit to move from side to side. “On this boat, they’ve got twin rudders, and they certainly answered adequately,” noted judge Tim Murphy.

In the 46.1 for instance, the added volume is most evident in the forward owner’s cabin, where to either side of the island queen berth there is room at the foot of the bed to stand, and outboard of that, there’s still more room for two sets of shelves by the in-hull ports. The cabin also features two hanging lockers and separate shower and head compartments, one to port, the other to starboard.

The boat we visited had a three-cabin, two-head layout, which I thought would be quite usable for a couple who sails occasionally with friends or family aboard. A well-equipped and roomy L-shaped galley was to port at the foot of the companionway; opposite was the second head with an attached stall shower.

Forward to starboard was a large dining table with U-shaped seating, and opposite, a couch. In a nod to the manner in which many navigate these days, the interior design team at Nauta chose to forego the traditional nav station. Instead, just forward of the couch up against the bulkhead, there was a small desk sized for a laptop computer, and above it, a flat screen display.

For those with more frequent guests, there is also a three-cabin, three-head version of the 46.1, in which the galley is pushed farther forward into the saloon, replacing the couch to port. Charter owners, meanwhile, have the option of splitting the forward cabin into two en suite doubles, or even having five cabins and three heads. In this layout, double bunks replace the starboard head aft.

Topside, there are numerous options, too. First, consider the rig. The standard is a 66-foot-8-inch aluminum mast. A performance spar that’s 3-foot taller is available in aluminum or carbon fiber, and there is an Intracoastal Waterway-friendly 63-foot-6-inch stick as well.

Underwater, there are three possible keels: shoal (5 feet, 9 inches), deep (7 feet, 9 inches), both cast iron, or a cast iron and lead performance foil (8-foot-8-inch draft).

Other choices include a 57 hp (standard) or 80 hp Yanmar diesel; additional water or fuel tankage; a self-tacking jib or 107 percent genoa; and the aforementioned cockpit arch. And then there is a range of finish choices below and several possible equipment packages. Honestly, it’s a bit overwhelming to ponder.

To my mind, though, whoever checked off the boxes for the boat we sailed got it right. I found the cockpit to be both roomy and functional. I liked the wide sunbeds to either side of the companionway and the stout stainless-steel poles between the arch and cabin top that provided really good handholds when going below. A centerline drop-leaf table that can accommodate eight crew was set up with a refrigerator compartment forward and life-raft storage aft and under, a detail that caught the eye of ever-safety-conscious BOTY judge Alvah Simon. He noted it’s right where you’d want it to be, down low in the cockpit, where you could pull it out and deploy it overboard from the transom.

The wide side decks were easy to navigate — though the judges did wonder about the midship cleats being placed well aft — and we all liked the idea of raised bulwarks for better footing when heeled. Mostly though, it was a rewarding boat to sail, and that’s the whole point. Right?

Mark Pillsbury is CW’s editor.

Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 specifications

Beneteau
410-990-0270
beneteau.com

Sea Trial

The post Boat Review: Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 appeared first on Cruising World.

Jeanneau Yachts has been in operation for over 50 years, and they’ve been building models in their popular Sun Odyssey line for over two decades. Like all production boatbuilders, and especially the older, long-­established ones, they refresh yachts in various size ranges at fairly regular intervals in time to reflect changes in taste and technology, and to keep attracting new buyers. Over the years, Jeanneau has built at least seven or eight iterations of their 40-foot offering, so it’s only fair to ask, how different can each successive version be?

The answer, stated emphatically with their new Sun Odyssey 410, is that an evolved, inspired design can be incredibly unique and atypical of everything that preceded it.

The 410 is the third in a trio of new models — the 440 and the 490 are the others — in what the company is calling its Walk-Around series, with easy access from the cockpit to the coach roof via a sloping, outboard side deck that bridges the two. It’s an ingenious arrangement that we’ve fully endorsed, naming the 490 our 2019 Import Boat of the Year and the 410 the year’s Best Midsize Cruiser Over 38 Feet. However, the 410 is the first to be designed by Marc Lombard, with assistance from Jean-Marc Platon (the other pair is from the board of Philippe Briand).

Lombard was clearly obliged to incorporate the side-deck arrangement, but otherwise was free to put his own stamp on the yacht.

Aesthetically, and also from a performance perspective, the most obvious departure from its sister-ships is the 410’s wave-piercing bow that rakes aft from the waterline ever so subtly and even clears the drink by a few inches at its leading edge. The idea is to reduce drag, and coupled with a hard chine that runs nearly the length of the yacht, to promote stability and speed. Lombard wants you to sail fast but not at the cost of excessive heeling. Yes, sailing is meant to be quick and spirited, but it’s not supposed to terrify your family or friends. We can relate.

The 410, which has a base price of $275,000, boasts a no-nonsense profile. The integrated bowsprit looks sporty and is also functional, housing the ground tackle and serving as the tack point for a code-­zero furler or an asymmetric kite. The gooseneck for the boom, part of the high-aspect rig, is lower than you’d expect in the style of the shorthanded Open 60 race boats where Lombard made his name. Three hull windows to each side break up the relatively tall expanse of the hull’s topsides and even the proportions with the low-slung coach roof — as well as providing cool visuals from down below. A boarding station and swim platform is integrated into the drop-down transom when in the lowered position. While there’s nothing traditional about its mien, I find it quite interesting and fetching.

Down below, there’s been a concerted effort to keep the weight low and centered, with regards to tankage, manifolds, storage and so forth; they’re not kidding about the stability thing. You can order a boat with two or three cabins, or opt for a large technical room aft to port like the layout on our test boat, which I felt was a strong feature. The generous galley to port is just aft of a central daybed that is basically the signature element of the saloon, and another one I liked. Counting the long settee opposite, it’s nice that there’s room for a couple to have their own comfy space to stretch out with a good book when the hook’s down.

We tested the boat on a windy Chesapeake Bay afternoon, with northerly winds gusting into the low 20s, and the retractable bow thruster was very useful leaving the tight slip. A performance package with taller rig, better sails, a folding prop and so on is available, but we sailed the standard package and it was just fine. Upwind, with a reefed main and a couple turns on the furling jib, we managed just under 7 knots hard on the breeze and just over that number when we cracked off on a reach. There are twin wheels and dual rudders, and the steering could not have been sweeter. You just wanted to drive and drive some more.

So, yes, thumbs-up on the 410. For Jeanneau, this Sun Odyssey suggests there is something new under their sun.

Herb McCormick is CW’s executive editor.

The post Boat Review: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410 appeared first on Cruising World.

There are two clear schools of thought when it comes to getting from here to there. For some, it’s all about the journey, preferably made on a seakindly vessel that can stoutly shoulder its way through anything Mother Nature might toss in the way. The happy and rested crew measures progress not by miles per day, but by number of books read, videos watched and sunsets savored.

And then there are the crews that want to get there. Fast. Among the many choices they have is a whole line of good-looking, contemporary performance cruisers from the Danish builder X-Yachts.

Last fall, the company brought a pair of new offerings to the U.S. Sailboat show in Annapolis, Maryland — their flagship rocket-yacht, the Xp 55, and a smaller but equally impressive sistership, the X49 — where they made quite an elegant splash tied up along the outermost row of docks. In fact, the X49 had a most impressive stateside arrival, as it was ultimately named our Best Full-Size Cruiser for 2019 in our annual Boat of the Year contest. More about that boat in a moment.

But first, let’s take a close look at the Xp 55, which was first launched in 2013; in 2017, the boat’s exterior was restyled and a new interior was introduced. It was the updated model that made its debut in North America.

OK, right up front, let me admit to having a thing for X-Yachts. Across the ranges, including the “Xc” series of straight-on cruising boats and this “Xp” line of high-performance racer/cruisers, the workmanship and building materials are top notch, the various designs are both eye-catching and quite practical. There are good sea berths for the crew underway. Counters have fiddles. Handholds abound. Hardware is well-placed. Sail control lines are led so that trimmers or the singlehanded skipper can reach them.

Like its siblings, the Xp 55 is the product of X-Yachts’ in-house design team under the direction of Niels Jeppesen. The hull is foam cored and vacuum-infused using epoxy resin, with carbon-fiber reinforcements in high-load areas. For the Xp line, the builder has replaced a steel grid system with a similarly strong but lighter carbon-fiber and epoxy structure to absorb rig and engine loads.

Notes CW‘s Boat of the Year judge Tim Murphy, “They’re really making efforts to get the weight out of this boat.” The result is a very sporty displacement-to-length ratio of 143. Meanwhile, the builder opted for a cast-iron foil with a lead bulb down deep where pounds benefit rather than hinder ­performance. Three keels are available: deep (10-foot-6-inch), standard (9-foot-4-inch) and shallow (8-foot-2-inch).

The Xp55 comes with a couple of rig options, both with standard rod rigging. An aluminum mast and boom are also standard, but the boat we saw in Annapolis sported a carbon-fiber spar and boom with in-boom furling. Those, along with a few other options, brought the sticker price of the boat to $1.4 ­million, up from a base price of about $870,000. Among the add-ons were teak side decks and cabin top; a carbon-fiber bowsprit and anchor roller; North 3Di racing sails; bow and stern thrusters and B&G electronics. With stays anchored on the sheer line, the wide deck and low-profile coach roof were easy to navigate noted BOTY judge Alvah Simon. He cited positive safety features, including the design of the companionway, easily handled weatherboard and a bridge deck height of 7 inches to prevent down flooding. Visibility from the twin wheels was good, he thought, though the seats at either wheel were somewhat low.

Under way, the cockpit forward of the twin helms was open and roomy for lounging guests or a working crew. At ­anchor, a teak table that’s stored in the cockpit sole could be raised for entertaining. A pair of adequately sized Harken Performance winches were located well within reach of either helm. The skipper could also quickly adjust jib-sheet leads using the line-­controlled cars on the fairlead tracks mounted inboard by the cabin sides. At the bow, a belowdecks Harken furler kept the pointy end clutter free; its drum could be easily reached by opening the hatch of the deep chain locker.

Down below, the accommodations were quite spacious. Rich teak furniture and a teak-and-holly sole — both standard — glowed in the natural light that poured in through overhead hatches, ports in the cabin top and windows in the hull. A Nordic oak and walnut sole interior is also available.

The boat we visited had the standard layout: twin aft cabins and an en suite owners’ cabin with an island queen berth far forward, behind a watertight bulkhead. To port, amidships in the saloon, a U-shaped couch outboard and an upholstered bench on the centerline surrounded a large folding teak table; a long settee (and good sea berth) was opposite. At the foot of the companionway, a large and well-equipped L-shaped galley was to port. To starboard sat a sizable head and stall shower, with a full-size nav station just forward of it.

The 55 comes with a large dinghy locker across the stern, closed off by an electrically operated swim platform. Because of the location of the garage, the double-ended mainsheet is anchored to a single block just forward of the helms. Under sail in 12 knot breeze and with little chop, the boat seemed a bit tender when hard on the wind, and there was a fair amount of weather helm that couldn’t be easily reduced by adjusting a traveler. Also, a new set of racing sails had just been bent on and a sailmaker was aboard and still playing with tuning. Still, the boat showed its get-up-and-go. Closehauled, the speed over the ground was 8.1 knots; cracked off to a reach (and with the strain on the wheel lessened considerably) the speedo jumped to 8.6 knots, a joyous thing.

For the sailor who enjoys immediate rewards for pulling on this and easing off that, the Xp55 delivers in spades. And fast sailing is fun sailing, no?

Mark Pillsbury is CW’s editor.

X-Yachts Xp 55 specifications

X-Yachts
860-536-7776
x-yachtsusa.com

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The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 319 had me at hello. Well, more accurately, it won me over soon after we’d hoisted sail last October off Annapolis, Maryland, during our Boat of the Year sea trials in a gusty 15- to 20-knot northerly on Chesapeake Bay. With a couple of reefs in the mainsail and a turn or two on the 85 percent self-tacking furling jib, the 32-footer put on a peppy display of get-up-and-go, easily knocking off a solid 6 knots hard on the wind. The 319 has a single wheel (a Lewmar number that folds inward when dockside to open up the cockpit) but twin rudders, and the helm was buttery smooth yet totally precise. What a joy it is to drive an extremely capable, compact little sloop in a fresh breeze.

Created by Jeanneau’s in-house design team and built in Poland at a new facility for the company, the 319 is a model of simplicity. That said, there are options galore, and you can really trick the boat out to your own liking depending on where and how you sail. For example, our test boat was equipped with an in-mast furling main, a swing keel and the aforementioned blade headsail. But you can also get one with a traditional stack-pack main, a fixed keel, an overlapping 110 percent jib and a dedicated, fixed ­bowsprit off which can be flown code-zero-style reaching sails. That’s a lot of choices!

RELATED: Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 410: Best Midsize Cruiser Over 38 Feet

“In recent years, we’ve watched a lot of production and semicustom builders go up and up in size,” said BOTY judge Tim Murphy. “I think they’ve been addressing the rising age and wealth of the sailors who buy their boats. One of the goals of this boat was to bring younger sailors into the market. But the Jeanneau representatives said they were surprised to find that there were also other longtime ­sailors, older sailors, downsizing to this boat. And I think that makes perfect sense.”

Down below, there is only one layout available, but it’s a fine, time-tested one (although the interior space will be slightly altered and opened up if you go with the fixed keel instead of the swing version, the trunk of which is ­incorporated into the central dining table). There are two double cabins in the opposite ends of the boat, with a particularly roomy berth aft to starboard. Given the size of the boat, an impressively large head is opposite, to port. A good-size galley and a real navigation desk are flanked to either side of the companionway, and just forward of those features is a pair of long settees with the folding dining table ­sandwiched between them.

It’s funny, you step aboard a lot of boats a good 10 feet longer and are hard-pressed to find a decent sea berth on any of them, but on the 319, there are three good ones (make that four if you don’t mind sleeping in the bow). And while you probably don’t want to take six folks on a cruise of any duration on the boat, you certainly can.

The team at Jeanneau is having a very good year, having earned multiple prizes in the 2019 BOTY contest (see “Hail to the Chiefs,” January/February 2019). Of their three new models, the 319 — the only one not honored — sort of slid under the radar. But perhaps that was an oversight. This is a neat little yacht, clearly envisioned and ­assembled by sailors who love sailing and kicking around on boats. It’s hard to lavish any more praise than that.

Herb McCormick is CW’s executive editor.

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There are certain matters in life that are just sure things, where you go in realizing that professionals are involved and you’re in good hands. You walk into a theater for a Meryl Streep film, and you know the acting’s covered. You board a Qantas flight understanding there is zero chance it will fall from the skies. You cut into a steak at a Ruth’s Chris knowing that it is about to melt in your mouth. If only everything was this way.

In sailing, thankfully, there are lots of givens: Harken hardware, Edson steering, Raymarine electronics, LeisureFurl in-boom furling mainsails. Boats equipped with these brands have those items all figured out. And here’s one more nautical surety, as reliable as the sun rising in the east: When you step aboard a yacht designed by seasoned naval architect Tim Jackett, you do so with the realization that it’s been extremely well thought out, that there has been a reassuring attention to detail, that it will sail like a bloody witch, that it will do precisely what it was created to do.

Which brings us to the latest ­example of Jackett’s vision, the Tartan 395 (which, not coincidentally, is fitted out with all the gear previously mentioned).

Like many American builders, Tartan Yachts, which is based in Ohio, has had its share of ups and downs in recent times. But Jackett is now one of the principal owners, and judging from the introduction of its new 39-footer at last fall’s U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, the company has again found its footing.

As Boat of the Year judge Tim Murphy said after inspecting the yacht, “It’s really nice to see Tartan back again. This is an interesting boat. It really brings together some nice elements of craftsmanship. You step below, and the big deck cowls are bringing lots of good air through there, and it’s just very comfortable. And you sit down in the cabin with that light maple finish (cherry and teak are also available), and it just looks and feels good. You feel like some real craftsmen have put this interior together.”

One thing Jackett is loath to do is fix things that aren’t broken, and so the 395 boasts features that have proved tried and true on previous appealing designs. Chief among these is Tartan’s elegant and versatile CCR (cruise control rig) sail plan, composed of double headsails (a self-tacking jib on an inner stay, a code zero reacher on the outer), set off a light double-spreader carbon-fiber spar. This configuration is an effective, efficient way to shift gears quickly depending on changes in the breeze or on the point of sail.

Nor has Jackett fussed much with the lines of the boat; it has a handsome, traditional-looking profile, with a very gentle sheer line, a relatively long coachroof, and stout coamings framing a deep and cozy ­cockpit. If your taste slants more toward slab-sided, expansive Euro topsides and contemporary razor-sharp hull chines, look elsewhere. This right here is a homegrown product of ’Merica, son.

It’s also a well-constructed one. Several generations of Tartans have now been built in an infusion process employing modified epoxy resin (not polyester like so many of its competitors) in a laminate that is sandwiched around closed-cell foam coring in the hull and balsa core in the deck. Tartan eschews the iron ballast many builders use in favor of good old lead (there are three underbodies available, including an optional deep fin, the standard “beaver tail” fixed keel or a keel/centerboard). Thanks to the company owning its own autoclave, not only is the rig carbon, but so is the rudderstock. Bottom line? There’s no squelching on materials.

“The anchoring system was beautiful, with polished stainless-steel chain, a stainless-steel anchor and a big, beautiful windlass,” said BOTY judge Alvah Simon. “It’s a good old-fashioned interior layout that just works. The pushpit, pulpit, stanchions, lifelines and gates are all terrific. The deck hardware is of high quality and well-installed. The little things really add up on this boat.”

Moving on, there’s a whole lot happening in the cockpit. In addition to the two pedestals for the twin steering wheels, there’s a third pedestal of sorts just forward of and between the helms, where the engine and lights controls are housed, as well as the Raymarine chart plotter. Built into the transom is a fold-down step to access a modest swim and boarding platform. The idea with the dual wheels and the transom door is to create a natural ergonomic flow from the companionway to the stern, but to be honest, it’s pretty busy terrain.

During our sailing trials, I absolutely loved driving the boat — it sailed great, like all Jackett’s boats, especially when we eased sheets in a nice Chesapeake Bay norther and the boat trucked along at an effortless 7 knots. However, the seats at the wheel seemed low, and I never could get totally comfortable. That said, I quite liked the German-style mainsheet that was ­double-ended port and ­starboard to big winches ­within easy reach of the driver.

Down below, there’s a tidy double cabin aft to starboard; a generous shower stall and head is to port. The forward-facing navigation station and a good-size galley are stationed to port and starboard, respectively, of the companionway. Comfortable settees flank a central dining table in the main saloon; there’s a second double cabin all the way forward. Eight opening ports overhead in the cabin emit plenty of welcoming fresh air. The Tartan 395 is not quite as beamy as the competing boats in its size range in the 2019 BOTY fleet, but resting there and taking in the surroundings, things felt snug and secure. Two words, ultimately, came to mind.

Proper. Yachting.

Herb McCormick is CW’s executive editor.

Tartan 395 Specifications

Tartan Yachts
440-392-2628
tartanyachts.com

Sea Trial

For a complete guide to ­Cruising World’s extensive online boat ­reviews and to request reprints from our older print archives of reviews, go to cruisingworld.com/sailboat-reviews.

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Old or new? Either one could be used to describe the British-built Discovery 58. On the one hand, it’s a design that’s been around awhile, one that evolved from the Ron Holland Discovery 57 that was launched in 2012. On the other, the revamped and updated model just made its debut here in the States at last fall’s U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland. And its current builder, the Discovery Yachts Group, is a new company that incorporates a couple of England’s venerable sailing brands — Discovery and Southerly Yachts — as well as Bluewater Yachts’ cruising catamaran and Britannia Yachts, a line of “modern classics” that is still on the drawing boards.

Either way you choose to look at it, though, the Discovery 58 we visited last fall during our Boat of the Year testing is intended for bluewater sailing, with solid bulwarks from stem to sugar-scoop stern, a versatile solent rig, a deep and accessible chain locker and a stylish and comfortable liveaboard deck-saloon interior. In other words, if you’ve got a rough patch of water to cross, this boat would be a worthy contender for the journey.

Let’s start on deck, where a dodger on the boat we sailed protects the forward end of the center cockpit, companionway and a portion of the two long settees that flank a sturdy drop-leaf teak table equipped with stainless-steel handholds at either end. Aft of the lounging space, an owner has a choice of either a single wheel or twin helms, which we found on the boat we visited. Besides composite wheels, both pedestals sported chart plotters. To port were sailing instruments and switches to control electrical equipment on deck, while engine and thruster controls were located to starboard.

Solid stainless-steel rails, 30 inches high, surrounded the transom up to the wheels; from there forward, double lifelines ran to the bow pulpit and impressed BOTY judge Bill Bolin, who noted the security they offer, and also their rarity on other offshore-capable boats we visited. “We didn’t see enough of those, in my opinion,” he told his colleagues. Bolin approved too of the Discovery’s wide teak side decks and split stays (uppers led outboard; lowers to the side of the cabin house), which kept the pathway forward clear.

On the foredeck, a Seldén sprit was mounted in one of the two beefy anchor rollers, awaiting downwind sails. Just aft were Reckmann hydraulic furlers for the genoa and self-tacking jib. A traveler spanning the width of the aft cabin top, Andersen electric winches and an electric in-mast furling Seldén spar (a conventional main with slab reefing is an option) completed the sailhandling systems. Sails were from North.

At its yard in Southampton, Discovery infuses its Divinycell-cored fiberglass hulls and decks using vinylester resin, adding Kevlar cloth in high-stress areas, such as around the keel. Bulkheads, including two watertight forward ones, are bonded in place. An owner can choose either a deep (7-foot-8-inch) lead keel or a shoal-draft (6-foot-5-inch) foil.

The boat is powered by a 150 hp Yanmar diesel, with shaft drive. Underway, even at full throttle, BOTY judge Ed Sherman found the 50 db sound level down below to be among the lowest of the boats we tested. By comparison, some of the 2018 fleet had ratings approaching 70 db. Sherman attributed the quiet down below to thick sound insulation in the engine room (yes, the boat has a walk-in engine room below the center cockpit). But BOTY judge Tim Murphy noted the engine was set up with a split exhaust system that sent exhaust gas off in one hose and cooling water in another, eliminating splashing and typical exhaust noise.

The 58’s deck-saloon design provides a lot of interior living space — and great views thanks to the saloon’s raised sole and large ports to either side and forward. An added benefit is space below for tankage, keeping weight low and in the center of the vessel.

Stepping down from the companionway, there’s a raised table surrounded by a U-shaped couch outboard and bench on the centerline. A raised navigation desk sits opposite, giving the skipper clean sight lines both forward and athwartships. The desk includes space for a pop-up plotter and other instrumentation, along with radio gear. Adding engine and autopilot controls would transform the area into a true pilothouse.

The builder allows for considerable customization. On the boat we visited, the owner chose to forgo a settee forward of the nav station, opting instead for a large flat area where charts could be spread out, with storage behind. There is also a layout available that moves the nav station forward so another cabin with bunks can be added by the foot of the companionway.

Forward of the main ­bulkhead and three steps down, there was a cabin with bunks to port and a head and shower opposite. The forward cabin sported a queen-size island berth and a couple of hanging lockers.

A well-executed galley and pass-through to the owners cabin was on port, aft of the saloon and another three steps down. A sink and ample counter space was located on the centerline, and a five-burner gimballed propane stove and oven flanked by more counter and storage space was outboard. A fridge, freezer, dishwasher and microwave promised to keep the chef in the crew happy.

The 58’s aft cabin was stunning. Light poured in through large ports in the hull and hatches overhead. A forward-facing island queen berth was on the centerline; in its own sizable compartment to starboard and forward were the head and shower.

To keep the lights on, the boat we visited had a 7 kW Cummins Onan generator aboard, as well as a bank of three solar panels mounted on a rack over the stainless-steel dinghy davits on the stern.

Other nice touches included a pair of teak seats on either side of the bow and stern pulpits, and life-raft storage incorporated into the lifeline railing. All told, the boat, fitted out with a slew of options, carried a price tag of $1.8 million.

Unfortunately, the fickle Chesapeake Bay breeze took the day off when it came time for a test sail aboard the 58. It was disappointing to miss the chance to experiment with the sail combinations made possible by the twin-headsail rig, not to mention the ease of handling the big Discovery with winches and furlers controlled by the touch of a button. After all, that’s what the boat was built for.

Mark Pillsbury is CW’s editor.

Discovery 58 Specifications

Discovery Yachts Group
410-639-2777
discoveryyachtsgroup.com

SEA TRIAL

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