68 | THE YACHTING YEAR 2018

Boats of

NOTE

A modern pilot cutter, an ocean racer, a

family cruiser and more. The boats set to

make waves in 2018 are are a diverse bunch

Spirit 52

Spirit Yachts in Ipswich has now built 66 boats, but founder Sean McMillan says perhaps the latest, a newly designed

52D called Oui Fling, best captures the idea of a ‘modern classic’. The boat was the star of the show at Panerai British

Classic Week in July 2017, where her racy lines and bare deck attracted onlookers aplenty. McMillan says: “The inspira-

tion has been the heritage of long, low, easily driven, beautiful boats. But we’re not slaves to the long keel. With fi n and

bulb and a spade rudder, you can get a perfectly balanced boat. When you combine that with a superlight construction it

is a pretty seductive combination.”

spirityachts.com

SELECTED BY THE EDITORS OF CLASSIC BOAT, SAILING TODAY AND YACHTS & YACHTING

TYY4 Boats of Note.indd 68 04/12/2017 15:36