Judging by the equipment and ergonomics of the deck layout, this sloop with split rigging is not only designed for fast cruising: bowsprit for asymmetrical spinnaker, deckhouse winches for the piano, two series of winches in the cockpit for the embracement of genoa and HS sheets, mainsail rail embedded in the deck with the sheet that goes directly up on the winches, hydraulic backstays, carbon mast and boom, Elvstrom black Dobb sails... It wouldn't take much to align with a great Mediterranean classic.
A modular configuration
The standard self-steering jib and a few options such as the tilting transom, the furling boom, the Flexiteek deck or the multimedia pack, are a good reminder that the customer has the choice to equip his boat according to a predefined programme: cruise or race. Modular, but under compromise.
A successful engine test
The forward sail compartment is an undeniable plus for storing downwind sails and very rare on a 38'. The optional 40hp Volvo propels us to 8 knots very easily and above all quieter than usual. Pressed joints at the openings of the descent is the reason.
A sail test in 12 to 14 knots of wind
The sending of the GV is facilitated by an electric winch and the 106% genoa listening returns to a Harken rail retracted on the roof. With a real wind of 12-14 knots, under asymmetrical spinnaker, we are sailing at 9 knots at 130° from the true wind. By dropping to 160° the speed loses 2 knots and by luffing up to 100° we reach between 10 and 11 knots.
Rudder settings to be fine-tuned
At this tight pace (70° of the apparent wind) we notice a big stiffness at the helm and a tendency to start at the luff. In fact, the pilot on this test yacht requires an adjustment, because even if he is inactive, he modifies the sensations. A good adjustment of the mast and rudder will also reduce the starting problem at the luff.
A well-dimensioned deck hardware
The gybing manoeuvres are very smooth thanks to the GV listening which comes back live on the winches on each side. Lowering and storing the spinnaker in the forward hold is definitely very practical.
A hull that likes to sail upwind
Upwind, the bar is very telling and the windward gain is spectacular. At 30° to the apparent wind, we make 7.5 knots with peaks at 8 from time to time. The hull always seems to want to go upwind. The transfers are fast and the winches in the middle of the cockpit favour the clutch which is very short. The turning angle of 80 to 85° indicates an optimized VMG.
