Yachting Monthly — November 2017

NOVEMBER 2017 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com 81

USED BOAT TEST

and she sports a 140 per

cent genoa. For downwind

performance Julian has fi tted

a retractable bowsprit to take

the asymmetrical spinnaker.

Deck layout

The deck space is a proper

working area for executing sail

changes while being fl at and

accommodating for lounging

in the sunshine. She sports

just a single bow roller with

cleats a good distance back

from it; when mooring up, the

crew has room to easily access

the cleats. There is an anchor

locker and three hatches on

the foredeck. The genoa tracks for the

No3 sail are on the coachroof, while

the tracks for the 140 per cent genoa

are on deck, which allows plenty of

space around the shroud plates and

rod rigging for crew movement.

While the mainsheet traveller is

on a track, the cleat is fi xed to a low

central plinth in the cockpit. It's handy

as the sheet is always in the same

position and the trimmer can brace

against the plinth when a good heave

in is required. There are lockers on

either side of the cockpit seating as

well as under the helm seat.

She has an aluminium toerail,

At the helm
The helmsman has a clear
view forward through or
around the sprayhood thanks
to her low coachroof and large
wheel. The cockpit sole has a
central bracing toe rail: when
close-hauled in a breeze, this
is a boat that is happy to heel
at quite an angle.
The mainsheet traveller
track bisects the cockpit
ahead of the wheel, 46cm (1ft
6in) above the cockpit sole.
The mainsheet is therefore
easily handled from the helm,
unlike the genoa sheets,
which require a hop up onto
the cockpit seating to tend.
This owner, sensibly, keeps a strap
dangling from the swim ladder which
enables someone who has fallen
overboard to grab and pull the ladder
into place in order to get back aboard.

Design and construction
Without this boat’s rocker there’d be
precious little beneath the surface.
The Philippe Briand hull is ahead
of its time, carrying its wide beam
well aft – think Open 60s – and her
fl ared topsides sweeping aft give her a
handsome appearance. The fl attened
coachroof and low topsides, give her a

The mast is given

extra support

by running

backstays

The mainsheet traveller

crosses the cockpit,

but the jammer is fi xed

centrally

Her low, broad cockpit

gives room for a full

compliment of crew to

work effi cently

The owner

has added a

retractable

bowsprit

lean and hungry look, complemented

by her shallow forefoot and fl at

sheerline. Two keel options were

available: the standard 1.85m (6ft)

or the lead keel option with a mud-

scraping 2.30m (7ft 7in) draught.

Her hull is monolithic fi breglass and

polyester. She sports a spade rudder.

Sailplan

The triple-spreader, keel-stepped,

masthead sloop rig has a cap shroud

with intermediates, babystay and a

single backstay, but is also stiffened

up with running backstays.

Her mainsail is fully battened

A large wheel gives the helm many positions to steer from

There are genoa tracks

inside the shrouds to

reduce the sheeting

angle of the headsails