2017 Domestic Boat of the Year

[Jackdaw]

Here is an example for your consideration:
MAPFRE, which broke their mast on March 30 while training for the Volvo Ocean Race 2017, will be back sailing by mid-April.
More about this available on line.

You're cherry-picking points to try and make a bad argument. Carbon masts are well proven in years of service. Pressing a race-boat and making a mistake can always result in failures. No news there. They stopped using aluminum rigs in these types of boats years ago because carbon is MORE reliable and stronger.

 

[Meriachee]

If people were not prepared to push the envelope beyond some numbers on a whiteboard, we'd all still be dragging our knuckles and living in caves beating each other with tree branches.

 

[Jackdaw]

If people were not prepared to push the envelope beyond some numbers on a whiteboard, we'd all still be dragging our knuckles and living in caves beating each other with tree branches.

GB Shaw - The unreasonable man. ;^)

 

[william24424]

Interior comparison 10 years ago. (Morris 42' Domestic Boat of the Year 2009) vs (Catalina 42 2017) apples and oranges yes, but both interiors are more impressive than a 5 star resort.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Reflects the same evolution in homes these days. More open space

 

[Kermit]

...we'd all still be dragging our knuckles and living in caves beating each other with tree branches.

You mean some people don’t?

 

[Meriachee]

Ha ha. Uncle Ralph would have commentary, but none of it suitable for this forum.

 

[agprice22]

GB Shaw - The unreasonable man. ;^)

A race boat... is designed to push the racer to the limit. That is that which is unreasonable, and gloriously so...

 

[jviss]

Hinkley only builds powerboats now.

I think this is quite incorrect. Hinckley just introduced the new Bermuda 50 in 2015. They continue to make the Daysailer 42.

While it may certainly be true that they don't build these to an inventory, but just because they don't have a yard full of units ready to be sold doesn't mean they don't build them. The same is so for Morris, another high-end maker acquired by Hinckley, and also Little Harbor, also acquired by Hinckley.

I'm sure if you give them a call, Jack, they will build a sailboat for you!

 

[Will Gilmore]

I'm sure if you give them a call, Jack, they will build a sailboat for you!

In the other hand, I wouldn't be certain that Hinckley could build a boat to Jack's specs. They aren't exactly geared for performance racers.

- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[sailnoproblem]

I think this is quite incorrect. Hinckley just introduced the new Bermuda 50 in 2015. They continue to make the Daysailer 42.

While it may certainly be true that they don't build these to an inventory, but just because they don't have a yard full of units ready to be sold doesn't mean they don't build them. The same is so for Morris, another high-end maker acquired by Hinckley, and also Little Harbor, also acquired by Hinckley.

I'm sure if you give them a call, Jack, they will build a sailboat for you!

To me this boat is pure elegance. I love the design (can't afford one though) part of the reason I guess they build to order.
I'm an old fart but to me old school design is more attractive, then todays both U.S and European. Yea I know the performance and creature feature aspect. Again just my opinion, but my old girl 34C still turns heads.

 

[jviss]

I'm an old fart but to me old school design is more attractive, then todays both U.S and European.

Me, too! If you read up on the Hinckley Daysailer 42, it is actually a quite hi-tech machine.
I love the Tartan style. Your 34C is a lovely boat, timeless elegance.

 

[Will Gilmore]

I wonder if there might be a market for old school elegance, Herreshoff, Sparkman & Stevens, Alden... but light modern materials, high performance below the waterline, electronically endowed. I have been aboard a couple of old classics and sailed Blitzen, an old S&S racer. They can be pretty comfortable.
No compromise. Is there a market for that?
- Will (Dragonfly)

 

[TomY]

The classics are my favorite, too. The CCA design era is my favorite. The design elements of this era never go away, you see them in good boat design today.

But I like a lot of the new boat design that's happening in the custom market taking place in my area. I don't mind a nod to all out speed, if it still looks good to my eye. To do that the design has to have good scale, just like the best classics.

My favorites of the new designs are sailing oriented boats that will race a bit and be used as coastal sailors. Many of this 'new' idea - that is an old idea - have been built as one off for customers that couldn't be happy with even a semi production boat.

You wanna go fast? Just go big. BIG is the ultimate 'go fast' sailboat design element, to date. Brooklin Boatyard in Maine is looking for someone to pull the trigger on this BBY 108.

Right now, they are finishing it's little brother, a 91'er, that will launch this spring. I hope to see it sail by me.

 

[TomY]

I wonder if there might be a market for old school elegance, Herreshoff, Sparkman & Stevens, Alden... but light modern materials, high performance below the waterline, electronically endowed. I have been aboard a couple of old classics and sailed Blitzen, an old S&S racer. They can be pretty comfortable.
No compromise. Is there a market for that?
- Will (Dragonfly)

Apparently not. The custom boatbuilder in my harbor has been advertising just what you propose: Take a favorite classic, convert the lines to cold molded construction(efficient $ for a one off), make changes below the waterline, for a bit better performance. You can have it finished out anyway you like.

Problems with the idea: It's too expensive to build these boats again. There isn't much need as there is an industry that rebuilds them, and so far supply has exceeded demand.

 

[Kermit]

but my old girl 34C still turns heads.

34Cs always turn my head, too. I try not to refer to them as old girls, though.

 

[Meriachee]

34Cs always turn my head, too. I try not to refer to them as old girls, though.

You can't say that anymore, @Kermit you know. They'll banish you to the swimming pool.

 

[jssailem]

@Kermit My friend recently sent me a question with this subject heading...
"WHICH OF THE FOUR CUP SIZES PICTURED BELOW EXCITES OLDER MEN THE MOST?"
Number four was...

I suspect you would rather see the other 3 options...

 

[Kermit]

@Kermit My friend recently sent me a question with this subject heading...
"WHICH OF THE FOUR CUP SIZES PICTURED BELOW EXCITES OLDER MEN THE MOST?"
Number four was...

I suspect you would rather see the other 3 options...

That looks like a double-Deep cup.

 

[Will Gilmore]

Since this is a boating forum

My cup turning over.
- Will (Dragonfly)