Düsseldorf – the place to debut

Bishop expects sales of the powerful compact hull to continue to climb quickly past the current 30 mark. The boat’s performance against larger competition is apparently a highlight and a 30 od should be here by mid-year for our perusal and testing. Features such as water-ballast, a retractable propeller, serious sail area including a square top main balanced by a deep keel and twin rudders, all of which impressed Boat of the Year judges should make it a potent competitor on the regatta or offshore circuit.

Moody yachts enjoy a reputation for luxury, with an emphasis on space, light and a much-vaunted indoor-outdoor flow. The ability to combine interior and exterior space with cruising performance is a difficult equation but Bishop believes the 41 DS achieves this:

“The 41 DS is a remarkable boat.  I must admit I was a bit sceptical as to the level of compromise that would be required to fit the Deck Saloon design concept into a 41foot-hull but they have achieved it and done it well.

To many it will seem an expensive boat for 41ft (in the mid to high $900’s landed in Australia), but when you consider that it almost achieves the same outcome as the previous Moody 45 Deck Saloon then it is well priced against that boat.  The main difference between the Moody 45 Deck Saloon and this new one is the 41 only has two cabins but apart from that the space they have created within the boat seems very similar to the 45, (including huge amounts of storage space that they have retained).  It is also much more modern looking with great looking curves and a lot more glass (360 degree views).”

He was also able to spend some time aboard the new 64RS from high quality Italian yard Solaris and  Bishop, an experienced sailor, rated this innovative design among the best  seen.

“For me the Solaris 64RS is the other stand out (at boot Düsseldorf). Solaris are exhibiting a 44, a 47, and a 50, however the 64RS is the stand-out.

The interior is the best laid out and best finished in any Solaris I have seen.

“The centre saloon living area is raised so that you have good horizontal visibility out of the coach-house windows giving panoramic views. You then easily traverse a few steps into the aft cabins and also forward into the galley which spans the main bulkhead.

“The forward Owner’s cabin comes (like the 55 and 60) with the bed forward and ensuite aft or reversed (as in the boat on display here).  The level of finish is again exemplary. The allocation is space is perfect for a boat this size and there is a very warm and inviting feeling stepping inside.  The deck layout is as you would expect from a Solaris.

“Everything is well set up for effortless two-handed sailing.  One distinguishing feature of the 64 cockpit is the offset companionway which creates a much bigger and more comfortable entertaining space on the port side of the boat rather than have it split in two as with traditional designs.  The wheels on this display boat are also amazing with carbon centre spokes and then beautifully polished wood around the outside.  Below deck storage is also significantly increased on the 64 with hatches that go down into aft port and starboard working / storage areas in addition to the large tender garage.  The forward “sail locker” is bigger than the entire saloon I have seen on some boats.”

The 55 to 65-foot segment of the monohull market has been somewhat of a surprise performer in recent years, and yards have adjusted accordingly.

Nautor’s Swan has revealed a new 17.96 metre bluewater sailing yacht concept at the boot show.

Penned by long-term Nautor’s Swan design collaborator Germán Frers, the Swan 58 has been inspired by modern ocean racers, the yard said.

Key details include an exterior featuring soft and rounded shapes, a new cockpit design, a redefined coach-roof style and large swimming platform at the stern.

The Finnish yard said: “58 is a new number for the Swan family–there has never been a model of this size before, but, like every new Swan, the 58 is the result of a long and accurate process of evolution and development, through many different models around this size.”

Another new entrant into the 50-60 foot category is Dufour’s 530., which will come in three versions: Easy, Ocean and Performance. More info on the 530 as it comes to hand.

Three new bluewater cruising cats have debuted in Dusseldorf.

Groupe Beneteau’s EXCESS 11 joins the EXCESS 12 and EXCESS 15. According the design brief, the objective behind the EXCESS 11 was to create a real cruising catamaran, capable of taking you anywhere you dare to go.

The EXCESS 11 is the only large-scale production boat on the market for this size of catamaran. Offering the choice of three or four cabins, the 11 has the feel and volume of a larger boat. Light-filled contemporary interiors are spacious with a 2×2-metre bed in the Owner’s cabin and separate showers in both bathrooms. It’s a lot of water real estate for a relatively short waterline length (11.33 metres).

Luxury catamaran builder Privilège has unveiled a new version of its Signature 580 featuring even more on- board comfort and better stowage for bluewater sailors.

The major innovation to the new Signature 580 Épure is the option of three huge exterior lockers in place of the forward cockpit. This storage can be converted into a comfortable sunbathing area by simply laying down cushions, which are easy to stow again when heavy weather is on the horizon.

With no forward cockpit, there is no need for a door through from the saloon, creating even more living space internally. This also allows for uninterrupted glazing around the chart table which gives better visibility and lends the boat an even more dynamic look.

Also among the new launches, The Catana Catamaran group’s 40 foot Bali Catspace design.

Four identical size double beds in four cabins is a worthy accomplishment, given the forward berths in cats can be considerably more compact than the aft ones. With four bathrooms and able to accommodate 10 the Bali Catspace sounds ideally suited to Whitsundays or reef cruising. Add to that a flybridge, a first for a cat this size, and you have an enviable all-round cruising platform.

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