Cruising World - May 2016

HANDS-ON SAILOR

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the newfound space was wasted, and those

downsized felt confused, with multiple sole

levels, cramped sitting and dressing spaces,

and an overall claustrophobic feel. The

take-home message is that each design,

while still incorporating signature features

of the brand, should start as a blank piece

of paper to achieve a holistic outcome.

The constant battle between interior

volume and exterior function had a few de-

sign casualties this year — mostly victims

of excess windage, or of cockpit coamings

that are too high and wide to safely enter

and exit when one needs to go forward

on deck. Especially in the cockpit work-

stations, less can be more, as attempting to

squeeze too many functions into limited

space creates clutter, not convenience.

IDEAS FROM THE PERFORMANCE

CRUISER CLASS

On the whole, cockpit ei ciency and

deck fl ow were markedly improved this

year due to the crossover classes — that

is, the cruiser/racers. In the past, the typ-

ical entry in this category was a full-on

racing machine with only token conces-

sions to liveaboard life or outdoor leisure.

But manufacturers such as Dehler, Italia,

Salona and Grand Soleil arrived at last

fall’s Annapolis boat show with vessels

that lost little on either side of the slash.

These boats are exciting to sail, elegant to

live in, and practical to cruise extensively.

We found this the hardest class to

judge, because to declare one a winner

implied that the others were losers,

which they were not! Success in this

category was built around twin helms

may 2016

cruisingworld.com

1) Open transoms, such as this one on the Jeanneau 54, are great for swimming or dinghy access, but provide less protec-

tion aft. 2) The cockpit table on the Italia 13.98 can stow under the sole for racing and then be easily set up for entertaining

at anchor. 3) As most lines are now led aft to the cockpit, a sheet well like this one, on the Beneteau 60, can help prevent

tangles. 4) A recessed headsail furler can reduce windage and creates a clean look on deck.

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BILLY BLACK (TOP LEFT, BOTTOM RIGHT); ALVAH SIMON