European Sailing Boat 2018: 3 sailboats for high-performance cruising

Nautor ClubSwan 50

Here are the three yachts nominated for the title of European Yacht of The Year 2018 in the Performance Cruiser category. These yachts are designed for fast and efficient sailing, but are still comfortable enough for cruising.

Club Swan 50

The Club Swan 50 is a 15.24m sailboat with a contemporary design, light by its carbon construction and designed to be very fast and is intended to be a sports cruiser with a small crew as well as for family sailing. Competitive in racing, this one-design has a modern, high-performance hull with a wide transom, an inverted bow and reduced freeboards.

Inside, the Club Swan has been designed to sail comfortably on short (weekend) or longer cruises, but in a more sporty way. The interiors are spacious, but rather sober, although designed in wood.

The Club Swan 50 will be the official boat of the Nations Trophy Swan OD Challenge, the regatta of the class.

Grand Soleil 34 Performance

The Grand Soleil 34 was designed in the 1970s by Finot and built at 300 units until the 1980s. The new Grand Soleil 34 Performance built by the Cantiere del Pardo shipyard uses the same concept of "small big boat", but faster with more space and comfort. Even if the Italian shipyard focuses on larger models, this compact entry-level model is the answer to the more comfortable 9.98 Italy.

Intended for sports sailing and ocean racing, it is nonetheless very comfortable for fast cruising. It has been designed for the IRC class in ocean racing and ORC with an optimized appendage sail plan. 2 deck versions are available depending on whether you wish to sail alone or with a crew.

Inside, there are two cabins of which the forward cabin converts into a sail locker in regatta mode.

JPK 45

The JPK 45 is a 13.80 m sailing yacht designed as a long-distance cruising boat, it exists in lifting keel or fixed keel version and has interior volumes dedicated to comfort. Its hull is comfortable at sea, stable and balanced.

Inspired by the JPK 38 fast cruiser, it is presented as a marine and gentle cruiser, but with a larger hull volume for long voyages and brings even more comfort

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