Yachting World — November 2017

66 November 2017

followed by this composite PC55. An
all-carbon PC66 and a second PC55
is in build and the company is in talks
about a new PC83. The designs have
the large sail area of a pilot cutter, albeit
with a Bermudan rig, and sport a modern
underwater shape.
The combination of classic-inspired
lines and modern lightweight shell and
appendages looks quite irresistible. We
travelled to Bodrum to see if the mix
works on the water.

Power sailing
In a marina crowded with production
yachts, charter boats and Turkish gulets,
the PC55 and PC66 berthed alongside
each other really stood out. Those counter
sterns, wineglass transoms and taff rails
stop you in your tracks. Performance

Classic Yachts are objects of desire.

We had perfect trial conditions, with

winds averaging 15 knots over calm seas.

Once a mile or so out of Bodrum’s

protective embrace, the cooler onshore

breeze was a welcome relief to the 40ºC

plus heat in the city’s marina.

The PC55 has a particularly generous

sailplan, one that is designed for the yacht

to be powered up in typical Force 3-4 Med

conditions. Weight is reduced and

centralised wherever possible to optimise

performance. The PC55 has a carbon

reinforced composite hull and deck, with

foam-cored furniture as standard.

And it works: it was easy to see why the

word performance belongs in her title. We

clocked 9-9.5 knots beam reaching, 8.5

knots when fetching and 7.5-8 knots

upwind tacking through 85º. Impressive.

Numbers aside, she felt wonderful when

powered up under full sail. The large jib,

tacked off the long bowsprit, provides

stacks of drive. It also helps provide a

nostalgic link to sailing a classic yacht. The

sail plan is a practical one too for the Med.

This non-overlapping headsail on a furler is

easy to manage. The extra J length gained

by using the bowsprit also means that it is a

large enough sail to use for reaching and

downwind conditions without needing to

rely on a separate downwind sail. A furling

staysail (as per the original cutters) might

be a useful addition when the breeze gets

up, however.

We had an idyllic afternoon and evening,

exactly the sort of sailing this yacht is

designed for. When the gusts funnelled

through the gap between the mainland and

the nearby Kara Ada island, we were

Helming from

leeward is

addictive. There

is good vision

forward. The long

cockpit is ideal

for socialising

and dining in hot

climates

ontest: PC55

‘It was easy to

see why the word

performance is in

her title’