Boating offers a wide variety of sailing boats as well as programs. In particular thanks to human-sized and specialized projects that reflect the vision of a passionate owner. Thus, each year, several models are produced, but do not fall into any of the categories previously seen. The jury for the 2019 European Sailing Yacht of the Year therefore decided to create this "Special Yacht" category, which brings together boats that are very different from each other. Thus, the small cruise ship is in the same category as the pure "racer" or the daysailer (boat for the day).
Here, we are talking about character, strong sensations or amusement?! Incredibly beautiful, very fast or elegant boats.
Aira 22
The Aira 22 is a modern version of a dinghy designed to be extremely versatile. You can simply walk around, sleep there camping in the cockpit and even run with it. It is a small "Swiss Army knife" monohull with a fresh look and an affordable price, and a Dutch design by Simonis/Voogd.
On board, you can sail on lakes, canals, but also in inland water. In a relevant way, the Aira receives SternDrive electric propulsion. This dinghy is available in 3 versions: ClubSailer, Daysalier and MatchRacer.
Domani S30
The Domani S30 (S for Sportyacht) has a modern and refined design, a pure Italian style for a pure Belgian daysailer (built in Holland) of 30 feet (9 m). Behind this elegant look and comfortable interior is a high-performance sailboat. Its exterior design is characterised by its deck deck edge extending down to the stern, its minimalist and refined design, its classic and modern lines, its lowered roof for the sporty side, its very large central cockpit, and its tilting keel. The mast is made of carbon, as is the tiller.
The play maitresse?? This huge sunbathing area at the back of the cockpit. Inside, a retro and modern style, with a central square, a front berth or even a chemical toilet. But above all a lot of lumière?! Ideal for a day and a night on board.
LITE XP
This boat is probably the most "special" of the units selected in this category. The Lite XP was born from the participation in the Race To Alaska race in the summer of 2016 of its designer Mathieu Bonnet, CEO of Liteboat. The latter called on Sam Manuard to design a sailing oar boat adapted to racing and more efficient than what is available on the market. The Lite XP is easy to launch, easy to manoeuvre, but above all "habitable" thanks to the front compartment which can accommodate 2 people, but above all thanks to a tent that can be installed.
Read the interview with Mathieu Bonnet, CEO of Liteboat
SR 21
RS Sailing offers a complete range of dinghies, but with the RS 21, the English shipyard is attacking the sports keelboat market. It is at the request of federations, clubs and sailing schools that the yard developed the RS 21.
The RS 21 is deliberately more aggressive. With a lifting keel (on a stem) whose ballast represents 50% of the boat's weight, this keelboat should offer great sensations to its crew with scheduled departures while maintaining good stability.
Saffier SE 37 Lounge
The Dutch shipyard Saffier Yachts emphasizes relaxation and the pleasure of sailing with the Saffier SE 37 Lounge. This 12 m long daysailer (with bowsprit) gives pride of place to the cockpit with a large lounge area and helm stations brought forward to separate the spaces. Two distinct spaces in the same cockpit. With this configuration, the rest of the cockpit remains free for the crew, who can thus enjoy the pleasure of sailing.
Large side benches and a bench in the back (under which there are four storage compartments) invite you to relax. A retractable electric table (stored in the cockpit floor) can accommodate up to 10 people for dinner.
Open to the outside world, the Saffier SE 37 Lounge nevertheless has a comfortable cabin. The height under the beam is not very important, but sufficient to rest: large berth, benches all along the bulwarks, a small kitchen on the port side..
Concerning the performance under sail, the yard announces speeds higher than the hull speed, in particular with a Code 0 or a gennaker established on the bowsprit. With a central steering station, the skipper can easily manage all manoeuvres thanks to the electric or manual winches and the steering with two wheel steering.
