Yachting World — November 2017

68 November 2017

ontest

braces to help when helming to windward.
For a yacht that is heavy on smart design
features, I was also surprised to find no
tail-end stowage for sheets in the cockpit.
This is something that needs
consideration, particularly because there
is a wheel trench in which lines can get
caught.
The large wheel can be reached easily
enough when sitting up on the rail either
side. And I liked having the space to sit
forward of the wheel to steer and reach
the winches. The main and traveller run
through clutches to allow both to use the
aft powered winches. The cockpit aft of
the binnacle is a little constricted, the
area more reserved for deck and locker
space. But that poop deck, with optional
cushions, provides a nice platform from
which a partner or family can be near the
helmsman during fine weather sailing.

Cockpit and deck space
The PC55 is unashamedly aimed at
sunny sailing in waters like the Med or US
eastern seaboard. And PC Yachts and the
Hoek Design team know exactly where
warm weather sailors like to spend their
time aboard. Hence the cockpit of the
PC55 is huge with extra long and wide
benches. Factor in the optional large
bimini, and the cockpit is, rightly, the
heart of the boat. The table is big enough

to seat eight people and long enough to

provide space inside for both a fridge and

a liferaft.

The backrests to the benches are a

little low, but proved comfortable with the

additional cushions as padded supports.

The issue is that these cushions need

securing when the yacht is heeled and

space to stow them down below. Without

the cushions, wide benches with short

backrests are not so comfortable for

reclining. The low coachroof will also

need a sprayhood for protection. The

traveller is a smart design mounted on

the flat coachroof, far enough forward to

allow room for a full cockpit bimini.

A large cockpit reduces the space

for an aft deck. Here the counter stern

reduces locker space, leaving no room

to lift or house a tender. A dinghy can

instead stow on chocks on the flush

foredeck, or there is space for a 2.75m

foldable RIB (F-RIB) in the cockpit locker.

I was also concerned about the lack

of guardrails around the transom. PC

Yachts’s founder Mark Speirs says

2

3

1

The pilot cutter

inspired stern

captures the

essence of this

new design

ontest: PC55

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