I recently purchased Australia’s demonstration model C275 (2016 fin keel) and LOVE this boat. I think I’m bang on its (not so) hard to imagine target market. Furthermore based on apparently low and now a while ago peaked sales for this boat I'm evidently perhaps also of an increasingly less prolific demographic.
I’m a lifelong ‘in the blood’ sailor with experience in all shape/size/displacement monohulls however being now forty-something with a wife and kid I make no apologies for wanting a low-maintenance down-scale compromise between new or old model production boats either too racy or too cruisy for a swim off the back day-sailing brief. Sapphire came 'as new' in so far as no previous owner, less than 30hrs on the diesel, barely used sails, a few nice upgrades/goodies (folding prop, asym with top-down furler, spinlock tiller extension etc) and was kept pristine condition as a dealer show pony.
It might sound naff to many SA devotees but I’m an old-school Corinthian/amateur/purist. That is to say when the afternoon sea-breeze kicks in I’m partial to going for a sail with a cold beer - for the sake of it. Happy either on my own or with friends, on a bash out through Sydney Heads and back just for the craic. the C275 is great for both. I even like the 70’s powder blue hull!
It’s not an ultra-light displacement flyer however kept relatively light ship with clean bottom folding prop and properly shaped mainsail for given conditions using its decent suite of rig/hardware/strings - in any breeze above 10 knots (you wouldn’t go surfing in little waves so why bother sailing in little wind) the boat is quick, easily driven, modest beam light helm under heel, and with just enough hull in the water to slice through a ferry wake. An absolute pleasure to sail.
The low cabin enables sight-lines to anywhere from anywhere in the cockpit (where you spend 95% of your time in this climate anyway) meaning it was never going to be a gin palace below deck, however if you do get back to your mooring too late to go home and/or want to stay anchored off some cracking beach overnight - it’s perfectly cosy digs and with adequate amenity for a family of 3 such as my own.
In summary: if you want to play house with minimum 4-5 star accommodation and/or need to keep pace with the latest carbon çr*p into a bucket sports-boat the C275 won’t cut it so keep saving up.
Otherwise… take off your shoes, put an open cold beer into a C275 cockpit drink holder, get the Dacron up and raked back (in no time) throw the buoy, then with tiller in one hand and main-sheet in the other… go for a sail.
Cheers All
I’m a lifelong ‘in the blood’ sailor with experience in all shape/size/displacement monohulls however being now forty-something with a wife and kid I make no apologies for wanting a low-maintenance down-scale compromise between new or old model production boats either too racy or too cruisy for a swim off the back day-sailing brief. Sapphire came 'as new' in so far as no previous owner, less than 30hrs on the diesel, barely used sails, a few nice upgrades/goodies (folding prop, asym with top-down furler, spinlock tiller extension etc) and was kept pristine condition as a dealer show pony.
It might sound naff to many SA devotees but I’m an old-school Corinthian/amateur/purist. That is to say when the afternoon sea-breeze kicks in I’m partial to going for a sail with a cold beer - for the sake of it. Happy either on my own or with friends, on a bash out through Sydney Heads and back just for the craic. the C275 is great for both. I even like the 70’s powder blue hull!
It’s not an ultra-light displacement flyer however kept relatively light ship with clean bottom folding prop and properly shaped mainsail for given conditions using its decent suite of rig/hardware/strings - in any breeze above 10 knots (you wouldn’t go surfing in little waves so why bother sailing in little wind) the boat is quick, easily driven, modest beam light helm under heel, and with just enough hull in the water to slice through a ferry wake. An absolute pleasure to sail.
The low cabin enables sight-lines to anywhere from anywhere in the cockpit (where you spend 95% of your time in this climate anyway) meaning it was never going to be a gin palace below deck, however if you do get back to your mooring too late to go home and/or want to stay anchored off some cracking beach overnight - it’s perfectly cosy digs and with adequate amenity for a family of 3 such as my own.
In summary: if you want to play house with minimum 4-5 star accommodation and/or need to keep pace with the latest carbon çr*p into a bucket sports-boat the C275 won’t cut it so keep saving up.
Otherwise… take off your shoes, put an open cold beer into a C275 cockpit drink holder, get the Dacron up and raked back (in no time) throw the buoy, then with tiller in one hand and main-sheet in the other… go for a sail.
Cheers All