New 28 Coming - And I want one!
Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2005 5:11 pm
I had a 26X which I loved but had to leave at home when I was transferred to Asia. I have been searching for a replacement but the 26M didn't cut it - cockpit too small, interior not open enough, head too small for me and no shower for the rear admirable. An important issue was that a daggerboard doesn't suit the unchartered shoal waters (with an abundance of coral heads) I often sail in. I looked at the Odin - Nice boat but tight interior, no shower, small galley, lack of headroom (I'm 6'2"), fwd berth too short, etc.
I thought I was lost until a sailing friend invoplved in the project told me about a new trailerable 28 ft (8' beam) undergoing sea trials at the moment. In return for my promise not to disclose too much as it is not planned to officially launch the yacht on the market until later this year, during my last trip to away I was able to see the boat and go for a quick evaluation sail. But then I was a hopeful but hopeless journalist in a past life so I just have to write something.........
Now hear this;
Similar in concept to my loved MacGregor 26X but with;
6'3" headroom (over 6' in most of the boat), full headroom in the SHOWER and toilet (head), fantastic galley, 6 berths for "tallies" like me with high quality "no hip Bounce" cushions, dinnette for 4 large people, hanging locker, 80 to 160 litres of fresh water, two opening lockable lockers in the cockpit to take 30 litres of fuel each side plus gear, well known international yacht (sail) designer, production by a very large ISO9000 company (French techs), much wider opening transom than either the Mac 26X or 26M, power 9hp up to a whopping 140 hp, kick up rudders and keel, self tacking jib, 900 litres water ballasted, all halyards inside the mast, exiting to Harken deck gear and jammers controlled from the cockpit, HYDRAULIC steering, mast head light, dual axle galvanised trailer.... the list goes on and on.
Here's the good news, the maker's marketing guys believe it will be offered in the US at less than $50K, kitted out ready to sail. More expensive than the Mac and less expensive than the Mast 28 but then so much more boat for the money. Believe me, when I saw their production area of over 30,000 sq metres, if they say they can do it then they will. They intend the boat to meet the stringent European Cat B criteria so offshore sailing shouldn't be a problem. The stowage area inside is capable of live aboard for extended periods and the open, airy feel of the boat means claustophodia shouldn't be an issue.
But how did it sail? Much, much better than it should have. It has the same tendancy as other water ballasted boats to heel quickly to about 10 - 15 degrees in a stiff breeze, then the ballast takes over to keep her upright. Some fin\d this diconcerting but if you know the physics and understand what is going on, then there is no problem. I also thought that the high freeboard would be a problem but the powerful roachy main and high aspect headsail really punched the boat through a nasty short chop in 15 knots of breeze. The freeboard and high cabin top made her very dry in these conditions. Off the breeze the boat literally flew, reaching 9 knots easily. Our best windward speed (four up) was only 5.7 knots, not up to the sleeker racing units but still great for this type of cruising boat. The boat certainly outpointed the Mac 26X but I am not sure about the Mac 26M, but good enough for me. The deep, high tech rudders really bite the water and hold on. Feel through the steering wheel was good despite the hydraulic system - apparently some valve is removed to allow "feel" through the helm.
I was disappointed that there was some hull slap under power (90 hp Etec) - but then we were doing over 20 knots!!! The underwater hull shape is designed for sailing rather than motoring at high speed which accounts for this. Back off to 12 -15 kots and everything was fine. In less choppy water - different story, open her up and let go. Tracks well and turns at speed on a button. The wide, flatter rear end allows it to to get up to a plane very quickly. I guess the compromise made to get a good sailing boat means that you can not have a soft riding powerboat (I am told something to do with too much wetted area, turbulance and drag). But then I am a sailer first and power boater second - exactly the person the boat is aimed at.
Launching and retrieving the boat wasn't a problem , her draft (unballasted) is less than 12" although crosswinds means that full use will be made of the four guide posts and rollers on the trailer.
The French production manager is very a proud owner of a 26 ft powerboat that the company produces, but I though there was more than a hint of envy about this 28 footer. I lay money on him changing over. Apparently they have ten trial boats around the place that they are tweeking up so that the final design will be well thought out and ready for large production runs - the only way they can get the cost down. I am told that unless the price is under US$50, the project will be abandoned. I told he guys that the poll would confirm my thoughts that $50K for a well equipped boat on a trailer but no motor is on the mark. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Wouldn't it be nice to have so much money that you can produce 10 boats just to see if you can?
A really good comment I heard was that Vinyl ester resins were being used in the hull. This will be a strong boat coming it at under 1400kgs. Towable with my Toyota Landcruiser.
I guess my only negative with the boat is that it's interior needs dressing up - at the moment it is very white.... there is a full white GRP liner like the 26X. I am told that this will be addressed in production. My other negative is that I want one ... NOW!
I will I could tell everyone more about who is making the boat and when it will be available, but I am told this is commercially sensitive. Enough to say Santa will bring me my present a little earlier this year when he makes his toys up near the north pole.
I promise to be a very good boy.
I thought I was lost until a sailing friend invoplved in the project told me about a new trailerable 28 ft (8' beam) undergoing sea trials at the moment. In return for my promise not to disclose too much as it is not planned to officially launch the yacht on the market until later this year, during my last trip to away I was able to see the boat and go for a quick evaluation sail. But then I was a hopeful but hopeless journalist in a past life so I just have to write something.........
Now hear this;
Similar in concept to my loved MacGregor 26X but with;
6'3" headroom (over 6' in most of the boat), full headroom in the SHOWER and toilet (head), fantastic galley, 6 berths for "tallies" like me with high quality "no hip Bounce" cushions, dinnette for 4 large people, hanging locker, 80 to 160 litres of fresh water, two opening lockable lockers in the cockpit to take 30 litres of fuel each side plus gear, well known international yacht (sail) designer, production by a very large ISO9000 company (French techs), much wider opening transom than either the Mac 26X or 26M, power 9hp up to a whopping 140 hp, kick up rudders and keel, self tacking jib, 900 litres water ballasted, all halyards inside the mast, exiting to Harken deck gear and jammers controlled from the cockpit, HYDRAULIC steering, mast head light, dual axle galvanised trailer.... the list goes on and on.
Here's the good news, the maker's marketing guys believe it will be offered in the US at less than $50K, kitted out ready to sail. More expensive than the Mac and less expensive than the Mast 28 but then so much more boat for the money. Believe me, when I saw their production area of over 30,000 sq metres, if they say they can do it then they will. They intend the boat to meet the stringent European Cat B criteria so offshore sailing shouldn't be a problem. The stowage area inside is capable of live aboard for extended periods and the open, airy feel of the boat means claustophodia shouldn't be an issue.
But how did it sail? Much, much better than it should have. It has the same tendancy as other water ballasted boats to heel quickly to about 10 - 15 degrees in a stiff breeze, then the ballast takes over to keep her upright. Some fin\d this diconcerting but if you know the physics and understand what is going on, then there is no problem. I also thought that the high freeboard would be a problem but the powerful roachy main and high aspect headsail really punched the boat through a nasty short chop in 15 knots of breeze. The freeboard and high cabin top made her very dry in these conditions. Off the breeze the boat literally flew, reaching 9 knots easily. Our best windward speed (four up) was only 5.7 knots, not up to the sleeker racing units but still great for this type of cruising boat. The boat certainly outpointed the Mac 26X but I am not sure about the Mac 26M, but good enough for me. The deep, high tech rudders really bite the water and hold on. Feel through the steering wheel was good despite the hydraulic system - apparently some valve is removed to allow "feel" through the helm.
I was disappointed that there was some hull slap under power (90 hp Etec) - but then we were doing over 20 knots!!! The underwater hull shape is designed for sailing rather than motoring at high speed which accounts for this. Back off to 12 -15 kots and everything was fine. In less choppy water - different story, open her up and let go. Tracks well and turns at speed on a button. The wide, flatter rear end allows it to to get up to a plane very quickly. I guess the compromise made to get a good sailing boat means that you can not have a soft riding powerboat (I am told something to do with too much wetted area, turbulance and drag). But then I am a sailer first and power boater second - exactly the person the boat is aimed at.
Launching and retrieving the boat wasn't a problem , her draft (unballasted) is less than 12" although crosswinds means that full use will be made of the four guide posts and rollers on the trailer.
The French production manager is very a proud owner of a 26 ft powerboat that the company produces, but I though there was more than a hint of envy about this 28 footer. I lay money on him changing over. Apparently they have ten trial boats around the place that they are tweeking up so that the final design will be well thought out and ready for large production runs - the only way they can get the cost down. I am told that unless the price is under US$50, the project will be abandoned. I told he guys that the poll would confirm my thoughts that $50K for a well equipped boat on a trailer but no motor is on the mark. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Wouldn't it be nice to have so much money that you can produce 10 boats just to see if you can?
A really good comment I heard was that Vinyl ester resins were being used in the hull. This will be a strong boat coming it at under 1400kgs. Towable with my Toyota Landcruiser.
I guess my only negative with the boat is that it's interior needs dressing up - at the moment it is very white.... there is a full white GRP liner like the 26X. I am told that this will be addressed in production. My other negative is that I want one ... NOW!
I will I could tell everyone more about who is making the boat and when it will be available, but I am told this is commercially sensitive. Enough to say Santa will bring me my present a little earlier this year when he makes his toys up near the north pole.
I promise to be a very good boy.
.
