2024 Sail Buyer's Guide

From 55 to 60 feet

What was half a category last year has become a full category in the 2024 edition of our Buyer’s Guide, with almost 20 models referenced... These catamarans (especially) and a few trimarans all offer absolute comfort for living aboard without no time limit. On the other hand, they become more demanding to handle for a crew of enlightened amateurs, so entrusting these units to professional skippers is therefore recommended.

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Published 08/12/2023

By Mark Bernie, Julie Echelle, Dick Sawyer, Emmanuel van Deth and Kim Wellington

Réservé aux abonnés

Issue: 193

Published: jan. / feb. 2024

Discover this issue

DAZCAT OCEAN CRUISER 55

Designed and built by sailors, for sailors

The Cornwall-based shipyard has decided to refocus its 40 to 55-foot range and has launched the Dazcat Ocean Cruiser (DOC) range, with a first model, the 55, just announced. The main feature of this Dazcat is the adoption of a forward cockpit/maneuvering station, with the wheel just behind, at the front of the nacelle. Another helm station is located mid-height, to starboard. This new Dazcat maintains a strict weight schedule, with carefully centered masses, and is able to take the ground thanks to its shoal draft when the appendages (carbon daggerboards) are raised. As for the bimini, this has been designed to optimize the surface area of solar panels, which also largely cover the dinghy on its davits. Optionally, the Ocean Cruiser can be propelled by a hybrid diesel/electric drivetrain.

Builder: Multimarine Manufacturing Ltd
Overall length: 55’ (16.76 m)
Beam: 26’3” (8 m)
Displacement: 26,450 lbs (12 t)
Mainsail: 1,033sq ft (96 m²)
Jib: 538 sq ft (50 m²)
Gennaker: 1,292 sq ft (120 m²)
Spinnaker: 2,153 sq ft (200 m²)
Berths: 6/8
Price: £ 2,500,000 ex-tax
www.multihullcentre.com

KNYSNA 550

Much more modern than her predecessors

In South Africa, it’s the sea that call the shots... so much so that local shipyards are adept at the “There’s no such thing as too strong” approach, with a design that is above all efficient if not very modern. In this context, the brand-new Knysna 550, for which hull #1 has already been ordered, is an excellent surprise, with a very neat coachroof design featuring sloping, colored aft pillars and inverted forward windows. The hulls are slender but well-defended at the bow, providing a generous glazed area in the cabins. On the first 3D images of the 550, you can clearly make out the good old, perforated aluminum toerail that already surrounds the Knysna 500SE - when all you swear by is rustic and sturdy, even after four years of in-house development, you can’t go wrong!

Builder: Knysna Yachts
Length: 55’ (16.83 m)
Beam: 29’9” (9.06 m)
Draft: 4’11” (1.5 m)
Air draft: 78’6” (23.95 m)
Displacement: 39,200 lbs (19.6 t)
Mainsail: 1,440 sq ft (133.8 m²)
Genoa: 672 sq ft (62.64 m²)
Engines: 2 x 80 HP
Fuel: 264 US gal (1,000 l)
Water: 264 US gal (1,000 l)
www.knysnayachtco.com

EXPLOCAT 52

The ice or the tropics?

Read the boat test

Specialists in aluminum centerboarders for blue water cruising and expedition work, Garcia Yachts are applying their Exploration concept to two hulls with a robust catamaran, but with a controlled weight for interesting performance. It will be good to challenge the ice from the interior watchkeeping/helm station. In the saloon/galley area, a stove is even provided. The insulation is designed for withstanding high latitude sailing and extreme conditions. The aft cockpit is particularly well protected. As for the ergonomics of the sailing maneuvers, it has been ...

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