Classic Boat — November 2017

SPIRIT OF TRADITION

EMILLY HARRIS

C/O COCKWELLS

54 CLASSIC BOAT NOVEMBER 2017

Duchy 21

The Duchy 27, an Andrew Wolstenholme semi-planing design

built by Cockwells, has always been a boat to lust after. She’s

barely traditional in the usual meaning, but her salty,

pugnacious, timeless workboat look and sheer capability is

enough to set the heart racing. Cockwells recently expanded

the Duchy range with the 35. They also o‰er the 21, a picnic

boat par excellence, modelled on an old Cornish harbour

launch. Twin canopies can give her interior complete

protection and the range of extras includes everything you

could need for the perfect day out with friends, from a

custom, built-in hamper to fridge and stereo. It’s the humble

old harbour launch reinvented to give happiness today.

Price £33,000, cockwells.co.uk

Romilly

Nigel Irens is famous for cutting-edge boats like B&Q, but his

29ft (9m) Roxanne in 1994 and the 22ft (6.7m) Romilly a year

later were arguably as revolutionary, creating a new sort of

design. They are characterised by a lug yawl rig on carbon

masts, blazing speed and a clean look that, while traditional,

is less derivative than any previous Spirit of Tradition boat.

With her shallow, easily-driven hull, big cockpit and those

light masts, the Romilly makes a great dayboat for a large

gaggle of family and friends, or more adventurous coastal

cruising for one to four. A full-length tent makes a cosy

overnight space, with two more in the cabin. Shallow draught

means she can take the bottom and trails easily.

Price €48,975, romilly.nl

W-76

The W boats, the brainchild of American

yachtsman Donald Tofias, were in on the SoT

thing early, with the build of two identical

yachts for match-racing. They are raced hard to

this day, and the experience of sailing past a

J-Class in a regatta is, at one stroke, a lesson in

what an SoT boat like this is all about. The brand

has become known for the W-76, which over the

years has won Tofias an armful of Panerai watches

at various regattas. Other Ws followed, like the 46,

and most recently, the 22, which we sailed last year.

Price $4.5m, w-class.com

BENJAMIN MENDLOWITZ

NIC COMPTON

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