New Classics
More at classicboat.co.uk/new-classicsSOT PILOT CUTTERS
Spirit of Tradition pilot cutter yachts
A new British firm is offering Hoek-designed Spirit of
Tradition yachts built in modern composite construction.
Performance Classic Yachts was started by Mark Spiers after
he commissioned the build of his own Pilot Classic 66, one
of a number of yachts from the board of the Dutch master
Andre Hoek. Mark was struck by the complexity and
difficulty of managing a project of this sort and believes
there could be a market for those who want such a yacht on
a semi-bespoke basis.
Performance Classic Yachts (PCY) is offering two
models to kick start the range: the 55 and the 66. Both
yachts are inspired by the famous British pilot cutters but
are in almost every respect modern yachts, with fast
underwater profiles, push-button winching, divided
cockpits for passengers and crew and all modern creature
comforts. This is performance sailing with a dollop of style.
The 66, Mark relates, does “9 knots nearly all the time, evenwhen other yachts are resorting to the engine. We’ve had
her up to around 12 but have not tried her in surfing
conditions yet”. Sounds promising, and bear in mind that
they both have RCD Category A rating, so these are
round-the-world yachts, not oversized Med daysailers. The
55 will presumably offer the same performance to scale.
Here at CB, we’ve sailed one of Hoek’s giants (the Truly
Classic 126) and his ‘baby’ Essence 33. Both seemed to go
in very light airs and point very high, with a light, neutral
helm. The first PC55 is in build now with an expected
launch date in June, and the second, already started, will
be ready for the 2017 season. Both are in build at the
highly respected Metur Yacht yard in Turkey.The PC55 starts at €775,000 (£610,000); the PC66 at
€1.35m (£1.06m). These prices are for ‘sail-away’ boats.
Tel: +44 (0)7817 119656, performanceclassicyachts.comTop: Computer
image of the
PC55.
Above, left and
right: PC66
under sail and a
view of her
cockpit