2011 BOAT SHOW PREVIEW • BAVARIA CRUISER 32 •

The 32 has an in-mast furling mainsail and a small roller furling jib. The jib is only 108 percent of the fore-triangle and sheets inside the shrouds. With tight sheeting angles, the boat sails to windward like a dream and tacks inside 80 degrees. Off the wind, the 32 is very easily driven and offers excellent speeds when broad reaching.

Down below, the 32 is huge for a boat of this size. The master cabin has a large double berth tucked aft under the cockpit and a smaller double cabin forward for kids or guests. The benches in the saloon can double as berths, too. The galley is aft at the foot of the companionway ladder with the aft-facing chart table next to it. The L-shaped dinette will seat four for dinner.

A great starter cruiser for a young family or a perfect downsize for an older couple who want to simplify their sailing life, the Bavaria Cruiser 32 offers great sailing qualities and a lot of living space below.

Specifications: LOA 32’9”; LWL 29’0”; Beam 11’3”; Draft 4’11”; Displ. 11,464 lbs.; Sail area 549 sq. ft. For more information, call 855-222-1120 or visit www.bavariayachts.com.

BAVARIA CRUISER 36 • Like its little sister, the Bavaria Cruiser 36 feels much larger than its length might imply. In fact, this boat feels bigger when stepped aboard, when it is hit by a puff of wind, and when you go below into the cabin.

The 36 has the same style rig as the 32, with an in-mast furling mainsail and a small jib that sheets inside the shrouds. Because the headsail is small, the boat is easy for a couple to tack and the sail can often be trimmed without having to grind the sheet winch.

The cockpit has long bench seats and the backs are ergonomically shaped to give lumbar support for comfort. Like all of the Bavaria Cruiser fleet, the 36’s transom folds down to create a large platform aft for sunning, swimming, donning SCUBA gear or climbing into the dinghy.

The 36 comes in either a two-cabin, one-head layout or a three-cabin, one-head plan. The first will probably appeal to couples who sail with friends, while the latter will be a good layout for a family. The boat has only one head, but the compartment is large and has a partition that converts it into a shower.

The interesting thing about the new Bavaria line is that owners have a lot of options when they spec out their new boats. You can choose from three different wood styles, floor patterns and numerous fabrics and colors. Bavaria has the capacity to build 3,000 boats a year, but they build each to its owner’s own personal requirements.

The Cruiser 36 will make a great family cruising boat that is small enough to be affordable but large enough to really be a floating home away from home.

Specifications: LOA 37’1”; LWL 32’5”; Beam 12’0”; Draft 5’4”; Displ. 15,432 lbs.; Sail area 742 sq. ft. For more information, call 855-222-1120 or visit www.bavariayachts.com.

The BAVARIA CRUISER 40 takes the company’s theme of large interiors in boats that sail very well and really puts it to great use. The 40 comes with only one accommodation plan—a three-cabin, two-head layout that emphasizes comfort.

The 40’s rig is proportionally slightly taller and larger than that of the 36 and thus the boat has a bit more sail power. This boat will sail at 8 knots in 12 knots of wind, so you get the idea.

The cockpit is large and laid out for easy sailing and outdoor living. With twin wheels, you always have a good view forward while steering or maneuvering around a marina. Plus, twin wheels open the aft end of the cockpit so you have direct access to the huge aft platform that is formed when the transom is folded down.

The interior has the galley along the port side of the saloon with a dinette that seats six to starboard. There is a good-sized chart table aft of the dinette. With almost seven feet of headroom throughout the interior and plenty of overhead hatches and ports in the cabin sides and hull sides, the interior is flooded with natural light and extremely well-ventilated.

The 40 will be plenty of boat for many couples or families since the sleeping cabins are so large, the heads so roomy, and the dinette and cockpit table well-designed for meals in all weather. Plus, the 40 sails very well indeed.

Specifications: LOA 4’6”; LWL 35’3”; Beam 13’0”; Draft 5’5”; Displacement 19,135 lbs.; Sail area 883 sq. ft. For more information, call 855-222-1120 or visit www.bavariayachts.com.

Bavaria builds three larger Cruisers—the 45, 50 and 55—but of these, only the CRUISER 45 will be in the U.S. this year.

The 45 is a big boat for a 45-footer. In fact the transom and after sections of the hull are so wide that Farr Yacht Designs equipped the boat with twin rudders to go with the twin wheels in the cockpit. This configuration means that one rudder is always in the water and fully functioning even when the boat is heeled over and clawing to windward. Twin rudders also make the 45 sail as if it were on rails, with fingertip control at all times.

The 45 has the same simple and efficient rig as the smaller boats, which drives it well even in light breezes. The cockpit is huge and has a drop-leaf table that will seat eight adults for a meal. The chartplotter can be installed neatly on the after end of the table, so it can be seen from both helms. The transom on the 45 has an electric motor to raise and lower it so you don’t throw out your back hoisting it into place. The platform is large enough for several people to sunbathe.

Down below, the 45 can be arranged with either a three-cabin, three-head plan or a four-cabin, three-head layout. The galley runs along the saloon’s port side and offers an acre of counter space. To starboard, the dinette wraps around a handsome dining table that will also accommodate eight for dinner. The chart table just aft of the dinette faces aft and has a nifty folding seatback that is part of the dinette.

The 45 will be a good family cruiser or will fit very nicely into a charter fleet. The cabins are large and comfortable, the living spaces huge and airy, and the eating arrangements great for crowds. The Cruiser 45 is a true liveaboard yacht.

Specifications: LOA 46’10”; LWL 41’8”; Beam 14’3”; Draft 5’8”; Displ. 27,777 lbs.; Sail area 1,151 sq. ft. For more information, call 855-222-1120 or visit www.bavariayachts.com.

BENETEAU OCEANIS 41 & 45 • This fall, Beneteau will unveil two new Oceanis models that carry on the Oceanis cruising traditions while incorporating some truly innovative design features to make the boats easier to sail and more comfortable to live aboard. The most notable feature in the new design is the high cockpit arch that anchors the main sheet and provides a rigid frame for a dodger and other cockpit enclosures. Both boats are truly set up for indoor-outdoor living, so the cockpits are huge and access up and down the companionway ladder is excellent.

The cockpits have twin wheels and an innovative folding transom system that fully encloses the cockpit when underway, then folds down electrically to form a swim platform when at anchor. Designed by Finot-Conq, the 41 and 45 have thoroughly modern rigs with the mast set fairly far aft and the headsail reduced to a slightly overlapping jib that sheets inboard of the side stays, which in turn have been moved outboard to the gunnel. With tight sheeting angles, the boats promise to be handy and close-winded while being easy to tack and jibe. For off-the-wind sailing, a reacher or asymmetrical chute will really add fun and power.

The Oceanis 41 has three accommodation plans to choose from. The two-cabin, one-head version offers a good quarter cabin aft and a large V-berth forward; this plan has a huge sail locker and storage area under the port cockpit seat. The three-cabin, one-head plan uses the sail locker space for a second aft cabin. The three-cabin, two-head version tucks a second head into the forward cabin, which replaces the small desk or vanity found in the other accommodation plans. In all three layouts, the after head has a separate shower stall. The saloon remains the same in all three versions, with the L-shaped galley aft to port and the dinette forward to starboard.

The Oceanis 45 is also offered with three optional accommodation plans. The two-cabin, two-head version has the same large storage area aft as seen in the 41. The three-cabin, two-head plan replaces the storage area aft with a second aft cabin. And, the three-cabin, three-head design equips each of the three cabins with its own en suite head; in this version, the shower stall in the aft head has been replaced with an expanded dinette storage compartment. Both of the new boats are being built in Beneteau’s plant in Marion, South Carolina, so they are truly American boats.

The new designs will be fast, weatherly and very comfortable to live aboard. And they offer the great value that Beneteau is known for worldwide.

Oceanis 41 specifications: LOA 41’9”; LWL 38’1”; Beam 13’9”; Draft 6’9”; Displ. 18,386 lbs. Oceanis 45 specifications: LOA 45’5”; LWL 42’10”; Beam 14’9”; Draft 7’1”; Displ. 21,054 lbs.

For more information, call 843-629-5309 or visit www.beneteauusa.com.

HAKE SEAWARD 46 • An innovative design from Hake Yachts in Florida, the new Seaward 46 is a shoal draft cruiser that is capable of extended offshore sailing. With a ballasted retractable keel and retractable rudders, the 46 can cruise in less than three feet of water. Yet, with the keel and rudders fully deployed, the boat will draw over seven feet and will be a stiff and stable platform for blue water sailing.

The big sister to the Seaward 32 and 26, both of which are shoal draft cruisers with retractable keels, the 46 is a raised deck saloon design with a large aft cockpit. The boat can be configured with either a single 75-horsepower diesel or twin 54-horsepower engines. And there is a “fishing” option that fits a fighting chair and rod holders at the stern.

The 46 has a fairly narrow 13-foot beam and a small but handy rig with a 100 percent self-tacking jib, so it should be easily driven even in light airs. The 46 has been in the works for a while and has already stirred up a lot of interest since there are not many retracting keel cruisers on the market, with the exception of Southerly Yachts in England. Look for the boat at the Annapolis Sailboat Show in October. Specifications were not available at press time.

For more information, call 727-287-3200 or visit www.seawardyachts.com.

HALLBERG-RASSY 372 • The new German Frers-designed Hallberg Rassy 372 is another cruiser under 40-feet that will appeal to couples and young families. The 372 replaces the popular HR 37.

HR has built more than 8,000 cruising boats over the years, so it is well established as one of the world’s cruising yacht leaders. The new 372 is slightly longer, beamier and more streamlined below the water than the 37. The rig is more than a meter taller, and the sail plan has been configured to fly a large mainsail and a small headsail that will be easy to tack and trim. A self-tacking jib option is available. The three-spreader rig can be fine-tuned with the standard backstay adjuster, and the chainplates for the shrouds are far inboard, allowing tight sheeting angles and keeping side decks uncluttered.

The 372 has a clean deck layout. The furling drum for the genoa is mounted below decks, as is the anchor windlass at the bow. Down below, the 372 offers classic HR quality with a U-shaped, seagoing galley, bench settees and storage for gear, groceries and spares. The chart table is across from the galley, while the head and shower are behind it. The forward cabin sports a large double berth, a vanity, hanging and storage lockers, and bookshelves. The after cabin has a huge double berth and additional storage.

The 372 was voted European Boat of the Year in 2010. The new design is a fine example of the great work HR does and just how much you can fit into a sleek and speedy 37-foot hull.

The HR 372 will make a great voyaging boat for a couple who like to sail fast and want to bring their comforts with them to sea.

Specifications: LOA 33’6”; LWL 29’5”; Beam 11’6”; Draft (deep) 5’6”; Displ. 12,400 lbs.; Sail area 625 sq. ft. For more information, contact Eastland Yachts in Essex, CT (860-767-8224), Free State Yachts in Deal, Maryland (410-867-9022), Swiftsure Yachts in Seattle, Washington (206-378-1110), or visit www.hallberg-rassy.com

HANSE 495 • This year, Hanse will introduce several new models, among them the stylish and innovative 495. A powerful modern cruising sloop, the 495 has a Judel-Vrolijk hull with a nearly plumb bow and squared-off transom. The hull’s sheer is fairly straight, so the boat’s profile makes it look purposeful and fast. Think of that long waterline.

On deck, the broad beam and low cabin house make the boat feel spacious. The cockpit is open aft, so the floor flows between the twin wheel back to the transom. The decks are uncluttered, and because the jib is a self-tacker on its own track, the chainplates and shrouds were moved outboard to allow unimpaired passages along the side decks. With teak decks and recessed hatches, a 495 will have a Wally Boat modern Euro look.

Down below, the 495 offers a large owner’s cabin forward with a centerline double berth and plenty of storage space. The head and shower are in separate compartments port and starboard. In the standard layout, twin quarter cabins aft have good headroom and plenty of lockers. Ventilation is via open deck hatches and ports that open into the cockpit. The aft cabins are served by a single head to port that has a nice big shower stall. The standard saloon plan has the galley along the port side and the large U-shaped dinette to starboard with a bench amidships to seat two more guests. The chart table is just aft of the dinette and close to the companionway. The styling evokes modern European furniture, with contrasting light and dark woods, sharp angles and expanses of open floor.

Hanse offers so many ways to customize your new boat that no two 495s will ever be the same. Fun to sail, comfortable down below, and a truly modern statement in cruising, the Hanse 495 will appeal to those who want the latest thinking and the ability to customize the look of their boat to a great extent.

Specifications: LOA 50’6”; LWL 44’5”; Beam 15’7”; Draft 6’9”; Displ. 30,900 lbs.; Sail area 1,390 sq. ft. For more information, call 978-903-0380 or visit usa.hanseyachts.com or www.hanseyachts.com.

MOODY 45AC • Hanse Yachts in Germany bought the Moody brand several years ago and came out at once with a truly innovative deck saloon or pilothouse model that turned a lot of heads. Since then, the company has gone back to designer Bill Dixon for a more traditional aft cockpit luxury cruising boat to fit the Moody brand.

The Aft Cockpit 45 is a modern sloop with a tall fractional rig and a sweet, traditional-looking hull with balanced ends and a springy sheer. The full battened mainsail is standard, but in-boom furling could be added without degrading sailing performance. The jib is self-tacking and runs to a track athwart the forward cabintop, making upwind sailing a snap. The 45’s cockpit has twin wheels, a folding transom and a lovely varnished table with folding leaves. A low windshield wraps around the companionway, keeping spray out of the cockpit and providing a good base for a canvas dodger.

Down below, the furniture is finished in varnished mahogany around accents of white panels and trim, so the whole effect is of traditional Bristol Fashion neatly modernized. Raised panel doors and drawers, some with wicker inserts to enhance ventilation, add a classic touch. The seagoing galley is at the foot of the companionway to starboard, while the head and shower are to port. Aft, the 45 AC has twin quarter cabins while the master cabin is forward with its own en suite head and shower. The dinette amidships is huge, and across from it are two easy chairs on either side of a small table that doubles as the nav station.

Hanse has made a serious effort to offer Moody as a truly upscale brand that will appeal to sailors who want a well designed, fine sailing yacht that is finished to the highest degree. Specifications: LOA 45’0”; LWL 40’1”; Beam 13’8”; Drat 7’3”; Displ. 26,895 lbs. Sail area 1,205 sq. ft. For more information, call 978-903-0380 or visit www.hanseyachts.com.

ISLAND PACKET 360 • Island Packet Yachts has been building seaworthy cruising boats for 30 years, and you will find them in the world’s best cruising grounds. With designer Bob Johnson’s Full Foil Keel, moderate sail area-to-displacement ratios, cutter rigs and self-tacking Hoyt Jib Boom Staysails, the line has a well earned reputation for easy motion in a seaway and high average speeds over the long haul. On IPY designs, you arrive at the end of the passage more rested than when you began.

This year, the company is adding to its line a 36-footer that is an evolution of the handsome and sweet sailing Estero.

The 360 is a salty and capable cruiser with a nice springy sheer, a short bowsprit that houses the anchors as well as the roller furling headsail, and a fairly low profile cabin that fits the hull neatly.

The cockpit has been designed for comfort and safety, so it is not overly large and will drain quickly if ever a wave came aboard at sea. All sailing sheets, halyards and control lines run aft, so you never have to leave the cockpit to add or reduce working sail.

The accommodation plan below offers a large double cabin aft with a neat V-style berth that allows you to swing your legs easily to the floor when getting up. This is a pleasant quarter cabin with ample ventilation, a hanging locker and plenty of space for clothes. The forward cabin has a traditional V-berth, hanging and storage lockers, and a private door to the large head. The saloon has the huge galley aft to starboard and an aft-facing chart table. The L-shaped dinette to port will seat four at the fold-down saloon table. Across to starboard, two swiveling easy chairs will make lounging, reading and watching TV just as comfortable as at home.

A great mid-size cruiser, the new IP 360 is a go-anywhere blue water yacht that will look after her crew as a proper yacht should.

Specifications: LOA 36’5”; LWL 31’6”; Beam 12’4”; Draft 4’0”; Displ. 19,300 lbs.; Sail area 831 sq. ft. For more information, call 888-724-5479 or visit www.ipy.com

HUNTER e33 • Hunter has long been a leader in offering sailors a wide range of boats, from sailing dinghies to 50-foot ocean cruisers. But the company may be best known for its mid-size cruisers, which offer expansive living spaces in boats that are easy to sail and handle.

The new e33 fits right into that mid-size segment and introduces an attractive new look for the Florida-based builder. With a sleek deck design and large cabin windows, the boat looks modern and fast. The hull has a wider transom than the earlier 33-footer and the bow has been given a narrower entry. The cockpit is large and comfortable for a boat of this size and has a neat fold-down transom that becomes a large swim platform. Hunter uses unique B&R rigs, with sharply swept back spreaders and no backstay. The main is quite large, while the headsail is small enough to be easy to tack. This rig is simple for a couple or even a singlehander to manage.

Over the last decade, Hunter has steadily refined their interior arrangements and the fit and finish of the joinery down below. The e33 has a large athwartships double berth in the after cabin that is tucked in under the cockpit and side deck on the starboard side. The forward cabin has a V-berth and plenty of storage for clothes, linens and towels. The galley has Corian counters, a large fridge and a two-burner stove with an oven below. The dinette to port will seat four easily. To starboard, the bench settee with be a good berth, or the middle section of the bench can be converted quickly to form a chart table. All of the boat’s instruments are accessible from the starboard settee.

A handsome addition to the Hunter line of sailboats, the new e33 offers a lot of accommodations in a cruising boat that will be easy to sail and comfortable for extended cruises.

Specifications: LOA 33’6”; LWL 29’5”; Beam 11’6”; Draft 4’6”/5’6”; Displ. 12,400 lbs.; Sail area 625 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.huntermarine.com.

JEANNEAU 379 • The success of the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 409 that was introduced at last year’s Annapolis show, with its hard chine aft, fold-down stern platform and simple but powerful sloop rig, primed the market for more Jeanneaus of the same style. So this year, Jeanneau is launching the Sun Odyssey 379 and Sun Odyssey 439.

The 379 has a modern hull style with a nearly plumb bow, a squared-off transom and a low slung coach roof. The sloop rig has been set up for ease of handling and good performance. The mainsail is a slab reefed full batten main with lazy jacks. The mainsheets run aft on both sides of the coach roof to the cockpit winches, so the helmsman can trim while steering. The cockpit has been laid out for efficient sail trim. With twin wheels, access to the fold-down swim platform is excellent.

Below decks, the 379 comes in a two- or three-cabin version, both with a large head and separate shower stall. In the two-cabin version, the port quarter becomes a huge sail and storage locker and a small wet locker adjoins the head. In the three-cabin version, the port quarter becomes a sleeping cabin and the head is moved forward. The L-shaped galley is useful, and the dinette forward seats six with the drop leaf raised.

Specifications: LOA 37’0”; Beam 12’0”; Draft 5’0”; Displ. 14,740 lbs.; Sail area 753 sq. ft.

The new JEANNEAU 439 has a larger, beamier Philippe Briand hull that will translate into greater cabin volume and stability. The bow sections have a bit more hollow for a narrow entry, which will improve the boat’s motion and windward ability.

Like its little sisters, the 439 is all about good sailing aboard a comfortable boat.
Twin wheels give the helmsman great visibility forward and open the cockpit to the large swim platform.

Down below, the 439 makes use of the extra beam to offer an unusual four-cabin, two-head layout with two double quarter cabins, a V-berth cabin forward, and an upper and lower cabin forward of the main bulkhead. In the three-cabin, two-head version, the forward cabin gets a large centerline double berth and a large vanity or desk. The saloon has the seagoing galley aft and to starboard, where it is convenient to the cockpit and large dinette.

The fit and finish of the 379 and 438 is bright and airy, and multiple hatches and ports provide natural light and excellent ventilation.

Specifications: LOA 44’0”; Beam 14’0”; Draft 7’0”; Displ. 21,736 lbs.; Sail area 1,004 sq. ft.

The 44 DECK SALOON (DS) Sun Odysseys are all about elegance, style and comfort. From the swim platform aft to the bow rollers forward, the 44DS embodies the latest in Euro styling. The Philippe Briand designed hull is similar to the 439, but there the similarity ends.

The deck saloon cabintop has a kind of Audi TT curve that flows for the full length of the cockpit and cabintop to the foredeck. The huge side windows are tinted black and set off by dark gray moldings that run along the edge of the cabin. The halyards, sheets and control lines from the mast run in conduits on the cabintop, and the two-ended mainsheet runs under the deck to winches aft by the twin wheels.

The 44DS has a huge aft cabin, with a queen-size double berth under the cockpit and bridgedecks. For added headroom, cockpit soles have been raised and a wide bridgedeck added. The cockpit has a large table with drop leaves and a built-in chart plotter. Down below, the furniture is more angular and the cabinets are lower with an “interior designer” feel, which is not surprising since the styling was done by Franck Darnet. The use of bright white and contrasting black counter and tabletops sets off the wood veneers, cabinets and bulkheads, and the sharp stainless steel latches and fittings are a statement in elegance.

Aside from the full width after stateroom, the 44DS has two guest cabins forward and a second head. One of the cabins has a V-berth, while the others have an upper and lower single berth. The saloon is a trendy modern living space with a large galley, U-shaped dinette and bench settee.

The 44DS will make a fine cruising boat for a couple or family who wants their leisure time to be as elegant and modern as can be.

Specifications: LOA 44’0”; Beam 14’0”; Draft 7’0”; Displ. 21,450 gals.; Sail area 835 sq. ft. For more information, call 410-280-9400 or visit www.jeanneau.com.

The new OYSTER 625, which has been nominated for 2012 Boat of the Year in Europe, is a Rob Humphries design that dramatically upgrades the already popular previous boats in the Oyster line, the 61 and 62.

A center cockpit desk saloon design, the 625 has a modern sheer line capped by the new style of wraparound deck saloon windows that Oyster has used so successfully in recent models. The standard rig will have an in-mast furling mainsail and a cutter rig forward. This gives you a lot of trim choices and allows you to shorten sail in rising weather without leaving the cockpit. A Solent headsail rig and in-boom mainsail furling are options.

Down below, the 625 offers a true master stateroom aft with a queen-size double and plenty of storage and comfortable amenities. An owner and spouse will really feel at home here. Forward, two guest cabins are shown in the standard accommodation plan—a Pullman double cabin to starboard and an upper and lower cabin to port. The forepeak has been reserved for a single crewmember, with access to one of the en suite heads that adjoin the forward cabins. The saloon is spacious and will be full of light. The dinette is huge and will seat eight. The galley is in the passageway aft to port and will be an excellent seagoing galley. The chart table at the base of the companionway is a proper navigation command central where you can mount all of your radios, sat phone, chartplotters and radar. Plus, the table is large enough to spread out an old paper chart.

The new Oyster 625 is a handsome, high quality ocean sailing yacht that will keep you safe at sea, get you home quickly, and provide you with elegance and comfort along the way.

Specifications: LOA 63’7”; LWL 56’7”; Beam 17’10”; Draft 9’2”; Displ. 73,854 lbs.; Sail area 2,538 sq. ft. For more information, call 401-846-7400 or visit www.oystermarine.com.

The SABRE 456 was launched late last year and has drawn a lot of attention from both Sabre owners and would-be Sabre owners.

The Jim Taylor design is an upgrade of the Sabre 452 that was introduced several years ago with a new keel, new rig and modernized interior.

On deck, the 456 has a large, secure cockpit with high seatbacks and a single large destroyer wheel. The main sheet runs to the traveler forward of the dodger so the cockpit is not cluttered. The chainplates for the shrouds are well inboard for close sheeting angles on the genoa and to make going forward easier.

Down below, the forward cabin offers a large centerline double berth and a large en suite head with a separate shower stall. The guest cabin aft has a large double berth and plenty of storage space. The 456’s galley is one of the largest and best laid out in any boat of this size. Since you tend to live in the kitchen, the saloon has the feel of a large, homey country kitchen. The drawer-style pull-out fridge is an innovation that we feel sure will catch on in other designs. Sabre has revamped their interior joinery style with a slightly Japanese flair to the doors and cabinets, making great use of the spaces available and adding light to the cabins. Because the 456 is built to order, Sabre can really work with an owner to customize the boat to his or her needs.

A fine offshore quality boat built in “Maine style,” the 456 will carry you across oceans or the bay swiftly and comfortably.

Specifications: LOA 45’6”; LWL 38’4”; Beam 14’1”; Draft 5’6”; Displ. 27,150 lbs.; Sail area 1,043 sq. ft. For more information, call 207-655-3831 or visit www.sabreyachts.com.

The new Tim Jackett-designed TARTAN 4000, which was introduced last winter, embodies a lot of the new thinking that has gone into the boats and the company since it was purchased by Steve Malbasa last year. The new company is all about delighting customers with great boats and great service.

The 4000 really speaks to that mission. The cockpit is large and secure, with twin wheels for easy access to the fold-down stern platform. The seats are contoured for optimum comfort around the stowable cockpit table or when sailing hard. Tartan used their patented Cruise Control Rig, which uses a fully battened mainsail with a double headsail rig that deploys an inner upwind jib and a larger reacher on the outer roller. The CCR offers the best in both upwind and downwind sailing without forcing you to fly a spinnaker or even leave the cockpit.

Tartan is unique in the market by offering carbon spars, booms and rudders as standard equipment. Equally unique are the epoxy-infused hull and decks that are tougher, lighter and virtually impervious to osmosis. Down below, the cherry interior has a large centerline double berth and en suite head in the forward cabin. The sofa-style saloon with a fold-down table will be comfortable for up to eight. The galley offers lots of counter space, a large fridge and double stainless steel sinks. Across from the galley, the chart table is a traditional nav station where the skipper or navigator will be in command of all of the ship’s systems.

A fine new entry to the 40-foot cruising fleet, the new Tartan 4000 will be a great couple’s boat and is built to be a family heirloom, albeit one that you could sail across the ocean.

Specifications: LOA 40’ 8”; LWL 36’4”; Beam 13’0”; Draft 7’6”; Displ. 20,104 lbs.; Sail area 893 sq. ft. For more information, call 440-357-7777 or visit www.tartanyachts.com.

A semi-custom design that was spawned last year and launched late last spring, the new TARTAN 4700 expands upon themes introduced in the 4400 a few years ago.

On deck, the cockpit is huge and deep and will be very secure at sea. With twin wheels and a folding transom, the living space will feel vast while at anchor and with the platform lowered.

At sea, all buttoned up, you won’t mind running down the face of ocean rollers. The 4700 has Tartan’s Cruise Control Rig, so it is easy and efficient to sail upwind or off the wind and actually sails higher and faster than the 4400. The extra three feet add to the boat’s balance and waterline length, which translates into better performance all around.

Down below, a lot of attention has been given to making the boat a comfortable family home with good communal and private spaces. The large aft cabin is tucked under the cockpit, and the bridgedeck has been raised to provide full headroom across the cabin. The large aft head is next to it to starboard.

The 4700, like the 4400, has a raised dinette that offers good views through the deck saloon windows. And the chart table is raised as well, so you can easily stand watches inside the cabin with great visibility forward and to both sides. The engine room is beneath the raised saloon floor, where you have great access to the engineering systems. Forward, there is a large master cabin with an attached head and a third cabin with upper and lower bunks, which will appeal to children and their friends.

A fine new model in the Tartan line, the 4700 is a liveaboard, offshore quality yacht that offers all of the attributes of Tartans—epoxy hull and deck, carbon rig, carbon rudder, Beavertail shoal draft keel—in an exciting new package. Look for BWS’s full review and the new boat’s specifications in the October issue.

For more information, call 440-357-7777 or visit www.tartanyachts.com.

Sabre 456

The 45-foot Jim Taylor design that Sabre Yachts reintroduced at the fall boat shows has long been one of our favorite mid-size family cruisers. In its earlier incarnation as the Sabre 452, I sailed the boat offshore from Maryland to Massachusetts and had a lovely trip. The boat—then and now—has an excellent hull shape, so it moves easily and surely through the water. We had a bit of wind on that trip and the boat handled it with real grace and style.

Sabre ceased production of the boat simply because the company was so booked up building Sabreline powerboats that they needed the factory space that the 452 line was occupying. But there remained over the years a steady interest in the 45-footer, so last year the company decided to bring it back to life with some improvements and modifications.

SAIL TRIALS
Last fall on Chesapeake Bay, I had a chance to sail the new 456 fresh out of the factory and rigged for cruising. Aboard was designer Jim Taylor, who has designed all of Sabre’s sailboats since 1991; Bentley Collins, Sabre’s director of sales and marketing; and the boat’s owner, Bob Comeaux. A congenial crew, all of whom are good sailors.

A typical fall morning on the Chesapeake brought light winds and fairly balmy temperatures. The lack of wind didn’t deter us. We set out from Mears Marina in Annapolis, MD and motored into the bay. The 456 has a turbocharged 75 horsepower Yanmar, so it had no trouble achieving hull speed of 8.2 knots at maximum revs. We hoisted the full battened main, rolled out the genoa, and soon we were sliding along sweetly in 8 knots of wind.

Sabres are known for their classic lines, thoughtfully laid out deck plans and rigs, and finely finished, Maine-style interiors. But they are also known for their consistently good performance under sail. The 456 made 5+ knots in 8 knots of wind and tacked easily in 90 degrees. We sailed out into the bay, then turned back and jibed downwind on our way to Annapolis. Off the wind, the boat seemed to almost ghost along as the apparent wind dropped and the boat speed increased.

The 456 steers positively, with the single Edson destroyer wheel linked to the large, balanced spade rudder, and swings very nicely through tacks and jibes without losing momentum. The rudder has a carbon fiber rudder stock that reduces weight and provides superior stiffness and strength. Also, the carbon post can be laminated into the rudder, which prevents water from seeping into the laminate as it always does around a stainless rudder post.

Trimming sheets in the cockpit worked very well with four experienced sailors…and the electric winches. It is so simple to trim and ease the sheets that you find yourself fiddling and trimming as the breeze fluctuates much more than you might in normal cruising mode with manual winches. Once you are over 50, electric winches are the way to go—particularly if you sail singlehanded or as a couple most of the time.

The cockpit layout is good for six adults to eat around the table or manage sheets, but not so large that the volume becomes a liability should a wave break into it. The aft lockers are large enough for a lot of deck gear, and on the boat we were testing, the port locker has been transformed into a storage and work room where the genset is mounted. Access is through the locker from the cockpit or via a door aft of the galley. For extended cruising, this is a useful innovation. Alternatively, this space could also be a standard quarter cabin with a double berth.

The swim platform aft is quite modest in size and fits neatly with the boat’s attractive lines. You will be able to board and debark the dinghy easily here, as well as swim and shower.

Moving around the boat you always find a good handhold where you need it. The side decks are wide and fairly unobstructed by the shrouds. The propane locker is under the port side deck—out of the way but convenient for handling the tanks. All the way forward, the chain locker is huge and partitioned to accept two anchor rodes; this fits neatly with the dual bow rollers that can permanently carry two 20 kilo or larger anchors. The vertical axis windlass is mounted aft of the locker. For safety as well as styling, the locker doors close completely to make the locker watertight—a feature you rarely see on modern production boats.

Sabre pays a lot of attention to the small details that make their boats special. Among them are stainless steel fittings such as chalks, stanchion bases and cleats, which are all sculpted to look elegant but also designed to enhance the boat’s performance.

After a couple of hours of very pleasant sailing, we rolled up the headsail, furled the main and headed back to Mears Marina. Sailing the Sabre 456 gives you the feeling of riding a well-mannered thoroughbred; the boat has a very fine pedigree and is beautifully proportioned, well laid out for sailing, close winded and fast.

LIVING ABOARD
It is not often that a boat builder introduces a new word to the sailing lexicon, but this year Sabre has done just that. The interior styling of the 456 that we sailed in Annapolis has an interesting new feel. The main door to the forward cabin—which slides side to side instead of swinging into the saloon—and the cabinet doors behind the settee and dinette are delicate batten and rice paper styling that looks very Japanese.

The design is called, in Japanese, “shoji.” As Bentley Collins informed us, “Shoji, also called souji, was prevalent in the medieval age (1185-1568) and is a generic term for partitions that can divide the interior of a building into separate rooms.”

Ah so. The effect down below on the 456 is subtle and very attractive. Combined with the hand crafted American cherry joinery, the white overhead panels, and the large and numerous ports and hatches, the boat exudes Maine-built quality and innovative design.

The forward cabin has a centerline double berth with access from both sides—much simpler to make in the morning, and you can get in and out without hurdling over your mate. Since we seem to need to check the anchor more often through the night, this is an excellent design improvement. Under the berth you will find four huge drawers that are large enough to serve as home for four seasons of sailing clothes. The forward head is also roomy and has a separate shower stall.

The saloon has the dinette to port and the bench settee to starboard; both of these will make good sea berths when sailing to Bermuda or Hawaii. The dinette converts into a double berth when you have a crowd aboard. With stools that tuck under the table in use, you can get six around the table comfortably and squeeze in eight in a pinch.

The 456’s galley is a sea cook’s dream, with what seems like an acre of counter space. Under the counter, the boat is equipped with two horizontal fridge–freeze drawers. This is such a good solution to the issue of fridge-diving through top loading hatches that we expect to see other builders copy the design.

The tradeoff is that the sinks had to be moved outboard, where they may not drain entirely when hard over on the starboard tack— but what sea cook would allow that at meal time?

The workroom is just aft of the galley through a full-size door. With a workbench, a vise, tool and spare parts lockers, the genset, and more, this is such a useful space that serious cruisers will grasp its value at once.

Consistent with the way we all navigate today—digitally on chartplotters—the chart table has been kept relatively small and serves as the communications center as much as a chart table. Facing outboard, all of the instruments and radios can be mounted right in front of the navigator and within easy reach.

The aft cabin or guest cabin has a good-size double berth that you mount from the forward end. The cabin has plenty of head room and enough floor space to swing a small cat so you won’t have to contort your limbs when dressing.

The aft head will work nicely as the boat’s “day head” and as a wet locker when sailing in rainy weather.

Shoji styling in harmony with the Maine-built integrity of the cherry woodwork gives the new 456 a warm and homey feel. The layout works extremely well for a couple who cruise with friends or children.

BWS THOUGHTS
In this economy, it is something of a bold move for Sabre to reintroduce a boat that was successful a few years ago, albeit refined and improved. But there was a pent up demand for a Sabre of this size, so the crowds at the boat shows have been large and enthusiastic.

There’s good reason for that—the 456 is a true modern classic in a size now considered suitable for offshore sailing and extended cruising. The boat is a superior sailing boat that will make excellent day runs and fine offshore passages. And, it will be a fine and elegant floating home.

The 456 is built to NMMA, ABYC, USCG and CE category A standards, so you know the build-quality is at the highest level. And, it is Maine-built, which for many sailors worldwide, is all they need to know.

Sabre 456

LOA                    45’6”
LWL                   38’4”
Beam                  14’1”
Draft                   5’6”
Displ.                  27,150 lbs.
Ballast                10,850
Sail area             1,043 sq. ft.
Water                  200 gals.
Fuel                      100 gals.
Holding               45 gals.

Sabre Yachts
South Casco, ME  •  207.655.3831
Website: www.sabreyachts.com

2010 BOAT SHOW PREVIEW •

BENETEAU FIRST 30

Beneteau has never been shy about new design ideas, so it should be no surprise that they turned to Juan Kouyoumdjian, who designed many of the speedsters in the current maxi and Volvo fleets, for the lines of the new “evolutionary” First 30. To stir things up, Beneteau asked Michel Desjoyeaux, winner of the Vendee Globe, to consult. The result is the new First 30, which looks like the offspring of a Volvo 70 and an Open 60, shrunk to 30 feet. The new boat has a plumb bow, broad beam all the way aft and hard chines molded into the aft sections of the boat, similar to bigger race boats. Twin rudders are necessary because of the beam aft and will make the boat drive like she’s on rails when surfing downwind behind her big chute. The 30 has a T-bulb deep keel for stability and a huge fractional rig that sports a boom that reaches all the way to the transom, where the main traveler is mounted. In the tradition of Beneteau First series boats, the new 30 has accommodations that make it a true cruiser-racer. The layout below decks shows a small V-berth forward and a large double berth tucked under the cockpit on the port side. The galley is adequate for a 30-footer, while the chart table is large and roomy. Two bench settees run fore and aft on either side of a central table with folding leaves. The 30 can sleep six in a pinch and will be comfortable for a family in cruising mode. If you like innovation, fun, performance and the influence of the big offshore pros, you will love the new First 30.Specifications: LOA 30’; LWL 29’; Beam 10’6”; Draft 6’6”. For more information, visit www.beneteauusa.com

ELECTRIC ALERION 33

As we reported in the August issue of BWS, Pearson Composites recently launched a new Alerion 33 equipped with a Mastervolt electric power train and no internal combustion engine. The motive behind this innovative new Alerion was the desire of an owner to be able to slip in and out of his dock without making a sound or polluting the waters around him with exhaust. The Mastervolt propulsion system is built around the company’s new high-performance Lithium-ion batteries, which use the same technology as the long life batteries in laptop computers and soon in all electric automobiles. The batteries are 15 percent more efficient and 70 percent lighter than wet cell batteries. The Alerion is an excellent boat for the Mastervolt system because it is so easily driven. Powered by Mastervolt’s 7.5-kilowatt saildrive system, the 33 will have a range of 15 to 20 nautical miles on battery power alone. For sailors who normally daysail, this is plenty of margin for safety. Underway, the Alerion with the Mastervolt system has better acceleration and stopping power than a normal diesel engine because full torque is available the moment the engine is put into gear. The Alerion 33 is also a fine barebones coastal cruiser with a simple but pleasant interior and basic accommodations, including a V-berth forward, an enclosed head, an ice box and counter for a countertop cooker, bench settees and basic storage. If you are looking for a truly green machine that makes use of great design and the latest in electric propulsion, the Alerion 33 with the Mastervolt electric drive system is the way to go.Specifications: LOA 33’0”; LWL 26’4”; Beam 9’3”; Draft 5’0”; Displacement 8,700 lbs.; Ballast 3,300 lbs.; Sail area 609 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.alerionexp.com

BENETEAU FIRST 35

The new Beneteau 35 follows in the wake of the First 50. The modern design combines the high performance of First series boats with the accommodations sailors expect in a dual-purpose racer-cruiser. The First 35 has a moderately light displacement hull with a nearly plumb bow, T-bulb keel, long waterline, full sections aft for power and a deep, high aspect balanced spade rudder. The tall fractional rig sports plenty of sail area for performance in light breezes. The cockpit has been laid out for racing crew manning the sheets and control lines but will also be comfortable for a cruising family. The huge wheel fits into a well in the cockpit floor so the helmsman can sit on the coaming to windward or leeward for better visibility steering upwind. The aft end of the cockpit is open and doubles as a swimming platform. Down below, living spaces are bright and airy, with two private cabins. The master cabin has a huge double berth aft under the cockpit. The guest cabin has a V-berth forward. The head is aft to starboard behind the neat chart table. The efficient galley has a two-burner stove, single sink on the centerline and icebox. The bench settees will make good sea berths; you will be able to seat six around the main table. The design of the new 35 is a real advancement from the well-proven 36.7 that has been the leader in this size range for a decade. The boat will be a lot of fun to sail, is built tough enough for offshore events and will make a comfortable, if spirited, cruiser.Specifications: LOA 35’7”; LWL 30’7”; Beam 11’11”; Draft 7’3” (std.) or 5’11” (shoal) Displ. 12,125 lbs; Ballast 3,681 lbs. (std.); Sail area 446 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.beneteauusa.com

CATALINA 355

The new 355 is the successful Catalina 455’s little sister. The new design from Gerry Douglas and the Catalina team has a modest beam, a fairly low freeboard and a nice tall rig. With a moderate displacement hull, a cruising fin keel and a well-balanced spade rudder, the boat promises to be easily driven under sail, close winded, easy to handle, with easy motion in a seaway. The new boat’s deep and secure cockpit has a single wheel, built-in table with folding leaves and an insulated icebox, and a folding seat aft for access to the stern platform. All control lines for the sails are led aft to line stoppers and winches on the cabin top so you can raise and reef the mainsail or roll up the jib from the cockpit. Down below, the forward cabin has a centerline double berth that will be easy to get in and out of and easy to make. The guest cabin is aft under the cockpit and has a large double berth positioned athwartships. The head is at the foot of the companionway ladder where it is convenient to both sleeping cabins and will work well as a wet locker for foul weather gear. The galley is huge and laid out for truly preparing meals either at anchor or underway. The dinette will seat the full crew. The new 355 has many well thought out details that come from the decades of building and sailing experience behind Catalina. A capable mid-size cruiser at a reasonable price, the 355 will no doubt become one of the company’s most popular and successful new boats to come along in a while. At press time, the 355’s specifications had not been published by the builder. For more information, visit www.catalinayachts.com

DUFOUR 40e

The new Dufour 40e is a trendsetting modern racer-cruiser that combines advanced design and engineering with luxurious but sensible cruising interior spaces. The hull has a modern look with a transom stern that folds down to make a large aft platform, a straight sheer, low cabin profile and a nearly plumb bow. Under the water the high aspect rudder and keel will give the boat a lot of lift while reducing wetted surface. The tall fractional rig has a large mainsail to drive the boat and smaller overlapping headsails for sailing fast upwind. The main traveler is aft on the cockpit sole just forward of the twin wheel and the double-ended mainsheet leads aft along the side decks to winches near the helmsman on either side of the cockpit. The rest of the mainsail control lines lead aft from the mast to winches and line stoppers on either side of the companionway hatch. On deck adjustable genoa cars facilitate accurate sail trim while the below decks roller furling drum on the genoa allows for deck-sweeping racing sails. Although the 40e is destined for regattas, the interior was conceived to house the crew in comfort and luxury. The boat can come with two or three sleeping cabins, with the master stateroom forward or aft under the cockpit. The L-shaped galley has plenty of counter and storage space with the convertible dinette forward of it. The head, chart table and bench settee fill the starboard side of the saloon. A handsome, elegant modern racer-cruiser, the Dufour 40e promises to give new meaning to the idea of performance in a dual purpose boat since she does both so well.Specifications: LOA 40;6”; LWL 35’4”; Beam 12’9”; Draft 6’6”; Displ. 17,525 lbs.; Sail area 947 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.dufour-yachts.com

RIVOLTA 43

Rivolta Yachts builds interesting motorboats with a distinctly Italian flare. Last year, father and son Piero and Renzo Rivolta embarked on a quest to built a sailboat that combines classic yacht style with a modern underbody and rig. They turned to Maine-based designers Stephens, Waring & White and the result was the stylish Rivolta 43 Vintage. Key to the new design was the desire for good sailing performance and shoal draft. The designers came up with an innovative solution by specifying twin rudders aft and a lifting T-bulb keel. The draft can be adjusted from six feet when sailing in deep water to three feet, six inches in the shallows. The fractional rig that drives the new 43 has a high, square-topped mainsail, a self-tacking jib-staysail, a roller furling reacher and the ability to fly an asymmetrical spinnaker from the small bowsprit. With the exception of the spinnaker, all sails can be handled from the cockpit. The 43 was designed to be cruised by a couple with occasional guests. The forward cabin has a nice centerline double berth and direct head access. The guest cabin lies aft and to port. The lifting keel is housed neatly inside the saloon table for easy access to the lifting gear. With bench seats on both sides, the table seats five. The galley is simple and near the companionway, which helps keep it ventilated. One of the most distinctive touches is the large lounging area on the after deck, which is similar to the sunning platforms on many Mediterranean speedboats. As a weekender or a boat for longer cruises, the new Rivolta 43 Vintage offers a compelling combination of classic good looks, sailing performance and shoal draft.Specifications: LOA 43’0”; LWL 34’0”; Beam 12’6”; Draft 3’6”/6’0”; Displ. 15,900 lbs.; Sail area 927 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.rivolta.com

DUFOUR 405 GRAND LARGE

Dufour’s Grand Large series has a huge following in Europe and worldwide because the boats are great floating homes while maintaining a high standard of sailing performance. The 405 Grand Large is the cruising sister ship to the 40e Performance. With a similar moderate displacement hull, dual wheels in the cockpit, and transom stern with folding swim platform, the boats look similar. But while the 40e has been set up for racing crews and line handling efficiency, the 405 is a cruising boat first. The mainsheet traveler is on the cabin top instead of in the cockpit, where it is out of the way, and the cockpit has a handsome table with drop leaves that will feed six friends. A double-ended mainsheet can be adjusted from both helm stations. In-mast or in-boom mainsail furling can be had as an option. Down below the 405 has a large master cabin forward and one or two guest cabins aft. In the three-cabin version, the galley is positioned Med style along the starboard side of the saloon. In the two-cabin version, the galley is an L-shaped space aft to starboard. The dinette to port will seat six comfortably and will double as a good sea berth on passage. The fit and finish of the 405 give the boat a warmth and elegance that underscore the boat’s overall quality. Plus, the use of white overheads and plenty of hatches adds to the brightness and airiness below. The 405 was voted European Boat of the Year by European yachting journalists—an award it deserves for its fine combination of cruising comfort, sailing performance and quality build.Specifications: LOA 39’11”; LWL 36’8”; Beam 13’4”; Draft 6’6”; Displ. 19,800 lbs.; Sail Area 861 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.dufour-yachts.com

HANSE 445

Introduced in Europe in early 2010, the Hanse 445 is another dramatic design step for the company that helped redefine “modern” in hull styling and interior décor. The 445 was conceived in modernist mode, with a high-sided hull that has large in-hull windows, a plumb bow, wide-open transom and a low truncated cabin top defined by a wraparound black-tinted window. Below the water, the Judel Vrolijk-designed hull has a minimum of wetted surface, a T-bulb keel and a large spade rudder. On deck, halyards and control lines from the mast run under-deck conduits aft to banks of line stoppers near the helmsman and not on the cabin top. Forward, the roller furling drum is hidden beneath the deck. The blade headsail is self-tacking and the sheet runs to a sliding track forward of the mast, then aft to the cockpit. The new Hanses sail quickly and are easy for a couple to handle. With the addition of a downwind sail, the boat will be a rocket on all points of sail. Down below, the interior is modern with open sight lines fore and aft, natural light, expanses of white laminate accented by wood doors, drawer fronts and moldings, and angular furniture. Hanse has a neat system for personalizing interiors on their website called the “Configurator.” The basic boat has a large walk-around double in the forward cabin, twin cabins aft, a large head forward and another head aft to port. The saloon has the galley aft to starboard with the dinette just forward of it and an L-shaped settee across to port. The new 445 is not your grandfather’s cruiser; it is a bold stab at the future and all the more interesting for that reason.Specifications: LOA 43’11”; LWL 40’4”; Beam14’4”; Draft 7’4”; Displ. 24,293; Sail area 1,180 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.hanseyachts.com

DUFOUR 45e

The new Dufour 45e Performance is the big sister to the 40e, and the two boats share many similarities. But at 45 feet, the 45e has enough space on deck and in the interior to make it seem much roomier. It’s amazing what five feet will do. On deck, the 45e is set up for efficient racing with the main traveler aft in the cockpit and the sheets led to winches that are easy to work during long tacking legs. But, in the cockpit, you will also find a handsome table with folding leaves and storage. The 45e has a massive triple spreader rig that hoists a big mainsail and an overlapping fractional genoa. No doubt the boat will be a fine light air performer with real legs when reefed down and charging in a fresh blow. Down below, the boat has a triple cabin layout with a large master cabin forward and twin double cabins aft. The berth in the forward cabin is on the centerline so you can board from either side. The forward cabin has its own head with a second head aft. If you need extra sleeping space, an upper-lower berth cabin can be squeezed in next to the master cabin forward. In the saloon, the L-shaped galley and dinette are to port while the bench settee, nav table and aft head lie to starboard. The layout is simple, sensible and makes good use of the 45’s considerable interior volume. A true oceangoing performance cruiser, the Dufour 45e will be a contender wherever she sails and will provide her owners and crew with above-average accommodations along the way.Specifications: LOA 45’9”; LWL 39’10”; Beam 14’10”; Draft 6’5”; Displ. 22,966; Sail area 1,217 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.dufour-yachts.com

SABRE 456

This fall, Sabre Yachts will introduce the new 456. The 45-foot sloop, which started life a decade ago as the 452—a highly regarded cruiser-racer with modern classic lines and distinctive “Maine quality”—joins the company’s other modern classic cruisers, the 426 and 486. BWS reviewed the 452 after a 400-mile sea trial and came away thoroughly impressed. The reinvented 456 has a new keel, new rig and modernized interior. On deck, the 456 has a large, secure cockpit with high seatbacks so you feel protected from the elements. The mainsheet runs through a traveler on the cabin top so the cockpit remains uncluttered. Side decks are wide and shrouds are positioned well inboard, so going to the foredeck is not an obstacle course. Down below, the forward cabin offers a large centerline double berth instead of the traditional V-berths and the forward head has the addition of a shower stall. The guest cabin aft has a large double berth and plenty of dressing room. Engine access is through panels in the after cabin and under the companionway stairs. The 452’s galley was one of the best in this size range and Sabre has improved on it by adding a nifty drawer-style fridge that can be opened on any tack and will never disgorge its contents in a seaway. The chart table has been downsized to reflect the fact that modern navigators are more likely to be pushing buttons than plotting courses on paper charts. The dinette and bench settee will seat a crowd for meals and double as good sea berths. The new 456 is a great size for a cruising couple and will be a capable coastal cruiser and a fine and speedy offshore passagemaker. We’re glad to see her back in the cruising fleet.Specifications: LOA 45’6”; LWL 38’4”; Beam 14’1”; Draft 5’6”; Displ. 27.150 lbs.; Sail area 1,043 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.sabreyachts.com

BENETEAU OCEANIS 50

Last winter we got the chance to take the then-brand-new Beneteau Oceanis 50 for a test sail off Miami in a spanking good northerly breeze and found the new design to be stiff, weatherly, easy to handle in a breeze and fast. (See the BWS review in the April 2010 issue.) The first thing you notice about the 50 is the cockpit arch that anchors the mainsheet and provides a rigid and permanent spot for a dodger. This keeps the cockpit clear of spaghetti sheets but does eliminate a traveler, so you have to use the vang to tighten the leech. Forward, the chain plates are nicely inboard and the side decks are clear and you get good tight sheeting angles for upwind sailing. The cockpit is huge and comfortable with twin wheels, a large table and the chartplotter mounted on a pivoting pod on the table’s aft end. There were seven of us aboard during our sail and we all fit into the cockpit with room to spare. The interior was designed by Nauta Designs and has a definite Euro look with clean white bulkheads and mahogany-colored Alpi furniture. There are three private sleeping cabins: two aft and the master cabin forward with a centerline double berth. The L-shaped galley is huge and has plenty of locker space. The chart table to starboard doubles as a desk or game table where two people can sit facing each other. The dinette to port seats six comfortably. A trendsetting modern cruising boat, the new 50 is equipped with all LED lighting as standard equipment. Innovation, quality and value are the hallmarks of this handsome addition to the Oceanis line.Specifications: LOA 49’6”; LWL 43’8”; Beam 14’9”; Draft 5’9”; Displ. 28,660. For more information, visit www.beneteauusa.com

HUNTER 50

The Hunter 50, which follows on the heels of the successful Hunter 49 and center cockpit 50, is an aft cockpit fractionally rigged sloop designed for couples and families who want a boat that is easy to handle and roomy enough for comfortable living. Hunter has long been an innovator in the realm of making sailing as simple and efficient as possible. The B&R rigs used on the 50 and other cruisers have a large in-mast furling mainsail combined with a small, easily tacked jib also on roller furling. The mainsheet runs to a traveler on top of the cockpit arch, where it is readily at hand but not underfoot; the traveler control lines are on the arch as well. The 50 can be set up with a cutter stay and a staysail so you have additional sail area when the wind goes light or you can roll up the genoa and deeply reef the main for blustery conditions. The interior volume of the 50 is remarkable. The saloon makes full use of the boat’s nearly 15 feet of beam and six-and-a-half feet of head room. The dinette will handily seat six. The galley offers modern conveniences, plenty of counter space and ample storage for supplies and necessities. The forward cabin sports a large centerline double berth and a head worthy of the name bathroom. The two guest cabins aft have large double berths and plenty of storage and hanging space. Over the past decade, Hunter has made great strides in fit and finish. They use top-of-the-line hardware, hatches, and rigging and have developed cherry interiors that rival any production boat on the market. For those looking for a production-built cruising boat that offers huge bang for the buck, the new Hunter 50 should be on the short list.Specifications: LOA 49’11”; LWL 43’10”; Beam 14’9”; Draft 5’6”; Displ. 32,813 lbs.; Sail area 1,277 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.huntermarine.com

BENETEAU SENSE 50

This fall Beneteau will roll out a new line of cruising boats under the Sense brand name. The first boat, the Sense 50, is bound to cause a real stir. The Sense 40 will soon follow. Beneteau’s idea was to build a boat that was more comfortable, harmonious and modern in all aspects than anything else on the market. The result is a new type of hull with a narrow bow, broad beam and distinct chines molded into the after sections of the hull. This configuration gives the boat a lot of initial stability so it will not tend to heel much beyond 10 degrees or so. The boat has been conceived with three separate living areas—the patio, the living room and the sleeping quarters. The patio comprises all of the aft outdoor spaces in the cockpit and the afterdeck, where there are twin steering wheels—each with a nice double seat—a dinette and a comfortable bench seat. The cockpit arch carries the mainsheet and anchors the spray dodger. Down only three steps from the cockpit, you enter the living room, which has a large, wraparound couch and an adjustable surface that converts from coffee table to dining area. A desk is built into the couch arrangement and the galley takes up the starboard side of the cabin. With windows all around, this is indoor-outdoor living at its best. The sleeping quarters lie forward with two heads, a small private office and two large double cabins. The office can be converted to a double cabin, too. The new Sense 50 might be the offspring of an Open 60 mated with a modern cruising catamaran and is one of the most interesting new monohulls to come along in a generation.Specifications: LOA 49’2”; Beam 15’11”; Draft 6’10”/5’6” (shoal); Displ. 31,195 lbs.; Sail area 1,313 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.beneteau.com

JEANNEAU 53

The new 53 footer from Jeanneau follows in the wake, first, of the amazing Jeanneau 54 that has been one of the most popular cruising boats in this size range for the last six years, and second, the new Jeanneau 57 that was launched to rave reviews last year. That’s a lot of tradition to live up to, but the new 53 does so with aplomb. The new look of the larger Jeanneaus includes a sharper, nearly plumb bow, fairly high topsides, a low slung, raised saloon and a handsome transom with a swim platform. Under the water, she sports a bulbed fin keel and a large spade rudder. The cockpit is huge, with twin wheels and a handsome teak table that will seat six for meals. The simple fractional sloop rig comes with a large, slab-reefed mainsail and a smaller, roller furling, overlapping jib. Down below, the layout shows options for three or four sleeping cabins. You can have a large master forward and twin guest cabins aft, or you can reverse it and have the large master suite aft and twin guest cabins forward. Or, you can have twin cabins both fore and aft. In each variation, the cabins all have en suite heads. The saloon has the large galley to port with a wraparound counter and the dinette to starboard. The nav station is large enough to double as an office desk and communications center. The success of the Jeanneau 54 augers well for the future of the new 53 since the company has learned a lot about what really works in a production boat of this size and how to make it the best possible value for owners.Specifications: LOA 52’8”; LWL 45’9”; Beam 15’7”; Draft 7’5”; Displ. 32,926 lbs.; Sail area 1,300 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.jeanneau.com

NAJAD 570

The flagship of the Najad fleet, the new 570 is a center cockpit, raised saloon luxury yacht with a tall, powerful sloop rig. Designed by Judel/Vrolijk, the Swedish-built boat has a modern, moderate-displacement hull with a bulbed fin keel and a high aspect spade rudder. The in-mast furling mainsail and genoa can be operated from the cockpit with electric winches so the boat, despite its size and power, can be sailed safely by an experienced couple. All of the Najads are sweet sailing boats and the 570 is no exception. The 570’s decks are clean and open and will be very safe at sea. The cockpit has twin wheels for enhanced visibility and mobility, long bench seats with ergonomically comfortable backs and a handsome teak table with drop-down leaves. Down below, the 570 is truly a luxury yacht in the finest Scandinavian tradition with finely finished hardwoods and light-colored fabrics and trim. The dinette with wraparound sofa seats to port and the large nav station is to starboard. The galley is in the passageway that leads to the after cabin; it will be an excellent place to cook at sea or in port. The forward cabin will be the master suite with a large walkaround double berth and private head. The 570 carries with it all of the heritage of Najad yachts and the long yacht building traditions of Orust Island, where Hallberg-Rassy and Malo yachts are also built. For luxury and pure blue water capability, the Najad 570 is a fleet leader.Specifications: LOA 57’6”; LWL 54’4”; Beam 16’7”; Draft 6’11”; Displ. 52,000 lbs.; Sail area 1,600 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.najad.com

OYSTER 575

The latest Oyster from the board of Rob Humphries, the 575 further extends the builder’s role as a leader in luxury yacht design and construction for blue water sailors. The 575 has a powerful hull with a narrow entry, long water line and full sections aft. Under the water she has either a cruising fin keel or the newly optional keel centerboard configuration and a robust balanced spade rudder. The deck layout is the recognizable center cockpit, raised deck saloon style that Oyster has made so popular. The afterdeck is enormous because of the broad transom and houses large and deep lazarette lockers. Forward, the decks are uncluttered and fitted with well-placed handholds. The tall cutter rig provides a lot of power and the ability to shorten sail extensively from the cockpit. The 575 is a semi-custom boat, so owners may alter the accommodation plan to a certain extent. In the standard layout, the master suite is aft and has a double berth, extensive storage and hanging spaces, a desk-vanity and an en suite head with a shower stall. The galley is in the port passageway aft from the saloon and a small crew’s cabin lies off the starboard passageway aft. Two guest cabins are all the way forward where they share a head. The saloon has a conventional chart table and curved settee along the starboard side and a huge dinette to port. The interior décor has the feel of a true luxury yacht where no expense has been spared. Oysters have a well-earned reputation for being premier sea boats and enduring yachts.Specifications: LOA 57’6”; LWL 51’6”; Beam 16’5”; Draft 8’10”; Displ. 61,728 lbs.; Sail area 2,091 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.oystermarine.com

BENETEAU OCEANIS 58

Beneteau’s flagship, the new Oceanis 58, is a completely new style of Beneteau that incorporates many ideas from custom super yachts while never losing sight of the essential qualities that make Beneteaus so distinctive. From the large after deck swimming platform to the expansive cockpit with its beautiful teak table to the distinctive cockpit arch for the mainsheet, the designers have brought a host of innovative ideas to the new design. The simple sloop rig, with in-mast furling for the main and roller furling for the genoa is simple, robust and easy for a couple to handle. The deck layout shows wide side decks and good working spaces forward when setting a spinnaker or anchoring. Down below, the interior of the 58 is truly special. With design input from Nauta Design, Beneteau has created a totally modern, Euro-style interior with white bulkheads, white overhead liners and handsome mahogany-colored Alpi wood furniture. The owner’s version has the master cabin forward with a double berth, extensive storage room and an en suite head. The guest cabins are aft on either side of the companionway, each with its own head. The dinette dominates the saloon since it has a huge table and a wraparound seating arrangement that will accommodate eight or more adults. The nav table is just aft and the huge galley is across from it to port. The volume of the interior is amazing and you will find sailing with six or more people entirely comfortable and possible. The Beneteau 58 is a luxury production yacht that delivers sailing ease and fun during the day and stylish and roomy accommodations as the sun sets. Plus, the boat is a great value.Specifications: LOA 57’9”; LWL 49’3”; Beam 16’4”; Draft 6’11”; Displ. 47,399 lbs.; Sail area 1,791 sq. ft. For more information, visit www.beneteauusa.com

That’s not to say that the saloon isn’t comfortable—there is plenty of space for four, an enclosed head, a full galley and standing headroom of 5-feet, 10-inches.

At 36 feet, the Spirit is not what comes to mind when you think daysailer. In fact, weekender would be more appropriate. The 10-foot long cockpit is the perfect place to enjoy sailing or just relaxing at anchor. Don’t let her classic good looks fool you—this sleek, sporty boat can definitely sail. Modern touches like a deep fin keel, high aspect balanced rudder and carbon fiber spars keep the Spirit light and responsive. The uncluttered decks are easy to maneuver around, but with the self-tacking jib and aft led main sheets, you will rarely need to leave the cockpit. If the 6-foot, 7-inch fin keel is too deep for your chosen cruising grounds, there is a 4-foot, 11.5-inch wing keel available as an option. And for those days when the wind is just not agreeing, the 27-hp Volvo Penta with sail drive will push you where you need to go.

Built in Maine, the Spirit continues the Sabre tradition of the highest quality craftsmanship and materials. Details such at dovetailed drawers and inlaid tables and steps put the Sabre Spirit in a class by herself.

Specifications (deep keel): LOA 36’8”; LWL 28’4”; Beam 10’5”; Draft 6’7”; Displacement 9,300 lbs.; Sail Area 668 sq. ft.

For more information log on to www.sabreyachts.com

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In September the most recent addition to the Sabre Yachts catalog debuted at the Newport (R.I.) International Boat Show, sporting the solid standards and pretty lines that people freely associate with the popular Maine-based builder. The Sabre 426 joins three other collaborations between Sabre and designer Jim Taylor—the Sabre 362, Sabre 402 and Sabre 452—to bring to four a well harmonized range of midsize cruising sailboats offering medium displacement, sophisticated performance and practical livability. Anybody familiar with Sabre will recognize that trio of qualities and appreciate how unswervingly the company has pursued them in sailing craft throughout its 31-year production history. The 426 as a developmental project represents at once a fusion of existing models and a bold step forward in terms of materials, fabrication and execution. Certainly the people at Sabre had no desire to stray far from the look and feel of what has become an eminently successful line, but at the same time a new boat has given them the opportunity to incorporate new ideas with regard to performance, weight savings and layout, and in ways both subtle and not-so-subtle they have accomplished those goals. In fact, many of the advancements generated by the 426 are finding their way retroactive-ly into the ongoing production of earlier models.

“The 426 is really the amalgamation of many things,” Sabre’s marketing manager Bentley Collins remarks. “We wanted to build a boat between 40 and 45 feet that wouldn’t compete with our existing models, but we wanted to make it sail like a 402 and be at its heart a Sabre. We also wanted to make the most of modern technology in the process to deliver a structure as strong, light and durable as possible.” The most noteworthy technical upgrade on that score is the use of vacuum-bagged Divinycell closed-cell core and vinylester resin in the hull and deck, a significant leap for a builder previously wedded to balsa core in these applications. It’s a leap, however, that lurks beneath the surface, because outwardly the vessel remains a Sabre through and through—new and improved, for sure, but true to form.

DESIGN SENSE

Jim Taylor has drawn a lanky hull with a fine entry forward, max beam restrained until after station five, and a low tapered reverse-transom stern incorporating a molded-in swim platform. Graceful is the word you’d use to describe it, in the contemporary sense of a straight rising sheer that culminates in a powerful raked bow. The underwater profile shows relatively shallow canoe-shaped sections indicating the desire to keep wetted surface to a minimum, though there is enough depth to them and enough of a V forward to give the boat a grip on the water in a seaway and to mitigate pounding upwind. In other words, while good performance certainly lies at the top of Taylor’s agenda here, he has avoided unequivocally the flat-bottom, fat-stern design strategy favored by modern lightweight flyers. This is, after all, a cruising boat.

Appendages include your choice of a deep, 6’10” lead fin keel or a hydrodynamic bulb/wing deal drawing just 5’0”. The bulb/wing is just that—a long torpedo of lead with gossamer winglets off the trailing edge. For shoal water it may be the way to go, but it’s a kelp-catcher for sure and certainly those wings represent a liability in any type of grounding, be it rocks, sand, coral or mud. All that said, however, we sailed aboard a 426 equipped with the bulb/wing and performance was spot on. Still, if you can get away with seven feet of draft, we would recommend without any hesitation selecting the deep fin. For any serious blue-water work, it is arguably the more sensible choice—the ballast is deeper, the lift is better and the structure simpler.

The rudder on the 426 is a hydrodynamic semi-elliptical balanced spade installed all the way aft. It is fabricated of molded fiberglass and bonded to a carbon rudder stock that passes through a Tides Marine top bearing and a lip-seal bearing laminated directly to the hull. Linkage is by way of Edson cable and quadrant to a 40-inch destroyer-type wheel, a solid and proven arrangement that delivers great feel at the helm. The sailplan is masthead sloop, with a one-piece aluminum, triple-spreader, keel-stepped Hall Spars section and standing rigging of continuous Navtec rod. Sabre offers a carbon spar option for owners so inclined.

Non-dimensional numbers for the boat speak to a medium-displacement sailing vessel with fairly typical horsepower in the rig and good stability overall. Displacement/Length (D/L) tips in at 230—comparable to the J/42 (203) and Hallberg-Rassy 43 (217), two very different boats in this size range with similar cruising aspirations. Sail Area/Displacement (SA/D) is a healthy 17.7, again comparable to the J/42 and the Hallberg-Rassy 43 which both show 17.3. Of course, these values are more indicators of type than predictors of specific levels of performance, which is important to bear in mind in the sense that they can’t be used to rank quantitatively any boat’s speed or handling characteristics over another’s. D/L and SA/D simply indicate where on the long continuum of sailing craft a given design fits. Within these broad parameters, Taylor has fashioned a nimble hull offering lively response at the helm and plenty of muscle in the sailplan.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND LIVING

It is no secret that the 426 was inspired by the 1996 Sabre 402, but certainly with regard to the interior the 426 takes a number of evolutionary steps in terms of layout, design, assembly and execution. The payoff includes living quarters as practical as they are comfortable, all augmented by refined detailing and subtle touches that underscore what appears to be a meticulous approach by the yard.

For example, the engine compartment in the earlier 402, which is positioned amidships in an insulated box off the galley, has been moved aft in the 426 to a location beneath the companionway steps. At the same time, the head—aft in the 402—has been moved forward into the owner’s suite aboard the 426. These changes shift the saloon and main bulkhead aft, which takes the mast out of the saloon and allows it to disappear forward of the bulkhead to where the head now resides. This leaves the area around the dining settee free so that a large folding table can be hinged up flush with the bulkhead and out of the way when it’s not in use. The gains in usable space and ease of circulation are considerable. Deployed, the dinette accommodates six comfortably, eight in a pinch; shipped, it leaves room to move about without turning one-self sideways, and makes for a more practical main cabin offshore when sail stowage, gear stowage and seaberths become more important than a broad expanse of tabletop.

The new position of the main bulkhead results in technical perks as well. Moved aft as it is aboard the 426, it occurs at the chain plates where it picks up those loads and provides the structural advantage of a virtual ring frame in the area you need it most, namely at the mast. On that score, it is interesting to note that Sabre fabricates this bulkhead of 3/8-inch solid glass—not plywood—overlaid with a cherry veneer. It is a well-found structural detail and a reassuring indicator of the integrity of the vessel inside and out.

The 426 features a conventional three-cabin layout rendered in satin-finished American cherry with a teak-and-holly sole. It is bright, cheerful and well ventilated by way of seven Lewmar Ocean Series deck hatches, two Dorades, and 10 opening ports. All the way forward, just abaft a divided chain locker is what Sabre calls the master stateroom, which consists of a 6’8” double V-berth, a dressing area with its own bench and hanging locker, and the head alluded to earlier. The head includes a ceramic tile floor, a Raritan PHII toilet with a macerator pump, a separate stand-up shower stall and a

wet locker outboard. The suite can be closed off entirely for privacy, or closed at the forward cabin to preserve ship’s access to the head.

Moving aft, the main saloon features opposing L-shaped settees port and starboard with cabinets, lockers, shelving and an entertainment center distributed throughout. The settees with lee cloths (not standard, but an option well worth insisting on) make ideal 6’5” seaberths; the port settee will convert into a double for guests. Aft of the L on the port side is a serious navigator’s niche with room for charts and a lap-top, plus the electrical distribution panel and space for instrumentation and other electronics. Aft of the L on the starboard side is the galley, a secure U-shaped affair with a three-burner stove/oven, polished Scandvik double sink, top-loading 12-volt DC refrigeration and a microwave. Conveniently, the companionway enters the main cabin between the nav station and the galley and comprises, according to Collins, “the widest staircase ever built on any of our boats.” All the way aft in the port hip is a sleeping cabin with a 6’8” double berth and a changing area that includes locker space, a seat and a small sink. The area in the starboard hip is reserved for a deep sail and gear locker accessed by way of the cockpit.

In general, the interior enjoys a smooth flow with good space dedicated to locker space, storage, galley and nav, and a clear attempt to make common areas such as the saloon as pragmatic and congenial as possible. Some builders lose sight of the practicalities involved with living in 42 feet and bollix up their layouts with modern features and exotic architectural elements like swiveling armchairs, curved settees and disappearing bars. Sabre remains straightforward aboard the 426, keeping to the basics and allowing spaces to work for you without assaulting you. And the execution is top-notch, right down to the dovetails and panel joins, concealed hinges in the cabin lockers, and, of course, the trademark fitted tool drawer in the nav station.

CONSTRUCTION AND SYSTEMS

As discussed, Sabre has updated its approach to materials and construction and this is most evident in the use of Divinycell closed-cell foam core in both the hull and deck. The single-unit hull is laminated by hand and vacuum-bagged, and it includes alternate layers of mat and knitted biaxial rovings surrounding the core material. Gelcoat is ISO NPG. The deck includes essentially the same ingredients but it is not vacuum-bagged. High-density PVC foam core (Divinycell HD) substitutes for the standard Divinycell core in areas of high stress, point loading and attachment of fittings and gear. As Collins points out, “There is no natural product in the deck,” a reassuring hedge against any potential softening by way of water migration. The deck is fastened to an inward hull flange using 3M 5200 polyurethane sealant, stainless thru-bolts on six-inch centers, and internal fiberglass tabbing. The keel is affixed externally to a reinforced built-in fiberglass sump using stainless bolts and silicon-bronze nuts.

Significantly, Sabre makes good use of interior structural components wherever possible to reinforce the hull and deck and give the boat virtual monocoque integrity. Bulkheads—particularly the GRP main bulkhead discussed above—along with berth faces, shelves and floor stringers are laminated to the hull as they go in, the result being a honeycomb-like web of structure and support designed to keep the whole package from creaking, bending or working in a seaway.

The engine sits beneath the companionway and is accessed effortlessly on the forward side by lifting the stair on its gas struts. Standard is a 55-horsepower Westerbeke, though an optional Yanmar 56 appeared on the boat we inspected. Once the stair element is lifted, a fair amount of the motor is exposed and there is room to work on more than just the front. Further access to port is through a side panel next to the nav station; further access to starboard is a bit problematic because it entails working your way through some galley cabinetry. Access to the shaft, linkage and steering gear is available beneath the port quarterberth and from the deep starboard cockpit locker topside.

The installation of systems shows good attention to detail with a lot of ef-fort made to keeping things clean, well-organized and easy to get at. Four 12-volt DC 105-amp-hour group 31 deep-cycle marine batteries sit in secure battery boxes beneath the port settee; a fifth single battery services engine start. The 110-volt AC shorepower system includes a Heart Freedom 25 inverter/charger located on the port side behind the settee. All wiring is color-coded and tinned, and the business side of the master AC/DC distribution panel in the nav station is artfully arranged for clear and safe maintenance. A savvy detail worth highlighting is the installation of a convenient companionway switch hardwired to courtesy lights below; no more groping for house lights on an unlit panel at night.

Two 60-gallon roto-molded tanks carry the freshwater cache. It is delivered by means of a Sensor-Max variable-speed pump system that maintains constant water pressure at every spigot without the spikes and lulls of a conventional accumulator-tank system using standard pumps. The fuel lives in a 60-gallon stainless tank configured with a narrowing, canted bottom designed cleverly to keep diesel from slurping back and forth with the movement of the boat.

UNDER SAIL AND BWS THOUGHTS

The 426 is set up for sail handling from the cockpit with all lines led aft and a good complement of Lewmar Ocean Series winches that includes two 58CSTs as primaries and 44CSTs for mainsheet, halyards and reefing. An option that comes highly recommended is the electric halyard winch on the cabintop, which takes the crunch out of everything from raising the main to getting crew aloft. Also recommended is the adjustable-car genoa track system; given that this is a proper masthead sloop, the headsail will be used in a wide range of wind strengths and easy adjustability of sheeting is a prime consideration.

BWS tested the 426 in light air on Rhode Island Sound with a steady breeze of eight to 10 knots and flat water. We would have preferred 20 knots and seas for the purpose of putting the vessel through its paces, but such was not the case and as it turned out we had a chance to see how agile the 426 is in subtle conditions. We sailed with the bulb/wing keel option, a conventional-hoist mainsail and a 135-percent furling genoa. We should add that we

discussed the boat’s heavy-weather demeanor with her delivery crew following their experience in a gusty 25-knot slog prior to our outing, and the report was unabashedly that she reveled in the conditions under shortened sail and remained solid as a rock through some decidedly lumpy seas.

On all points of sail the 426 is a sterling performer, showing good acceleration out of turns and noteworthy balance, whether slipping into a groove upwind or stretching her legs off the wind on a reach. The boat is especially responsive at the helm—truly satisfying to steer in this regard—and it has to be a result of a designer Taylor’s touch with the underwater profile and the development of foils. The rudder shows the efficiency and balance of a race boat’s; it allowed us with fingertip control to take the boat upwind in eight knots of breeze at a solid pace inside easy 80- to 90-degree tacking angles. The performance of the boat is, in a word, quite sophisticated.

That the 426 sails nicely should not come as any surprise, as Sabres have made that quality one of their hallmarks and we at BWS have experienced it numerous times before aboard other models. As noted at the outset of this report, one of the goals with the 426 was to emulate the sailing qualities of the smaller 402, and it is apparent that this goal has been reached. Current Sabre owners should expect to be uncommonly pleased with how well the newest addition to the fold performs. Those unfamiliar with what Sabres are all about should expect to find themselves drawn to the line after spending time on this one. We would recommend the 426 for en-joyable cruising anywhere. If long-range, oceangoing work is in the cards, we would suggest that the owner discuss with Sabre the convertible inner forestay and checkstay option, a worthy upgrade to any pure bred sloop headed over the horizon. Bottom line: A really fun boat to sail and spend time aboard, and a boat that any owner would be proud to call his or her own.

LOA 42’6” (12.95 m.)
LWL 36’0” (10.97 m.)
Beam 13’5” (4.10 m.)
Draft (fin) 6’10” (2.10 m.)
Draft (bulb/wing) 5’0” (1.52 m.)
Ballast (fin) 8,400 lbs. (3,810 kgs.)
Ballast (bulb/wing) 8,650 lbs. (3,924 kgs.)
Displ. (fin) 24,000 lbs. (10,886 kgs.)
Displ. (bulb/wing) 24,500 lbs. (11,113 kgs.)
SA (100%) 920 sq. ft. (85.5 sq. m.)
Masthead above water 59’0” (18.0 m.)
Ballast/Displ. (fin) 35%
Ballast/Displ. 35%
(bulb/wing)
Displ./Length 230
SA/Displ. 17.7
LPS 120 degrees
Fuel 60 gal. (227 ltr.)
Water 120 gal. (454 ltr.)
Auxiliary Westerbeke 4-cyl 55-hp diesel
Designer Jim Taylor/Sabre Design Team
Base Price $310,000

Sabre Yachts
PO Box 134
Hawthorne Rd.
South Casco, ME 04077
Ph: 207-655-3831
Sabre 426

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