A classic deck plan and rigging à la carte
The deck is very wide on the foredeck. This makes downwind sail manoeuvres easier due to the space available. The winch arrangement is classic, but a recess in the bridge deck makes it possible to stow the halyards on the piano. The aft helm controls bi-sails and access to the sheeting winches is easy from the helm. For the headsails, several configurations are possible: 105% genoa and self-tacking staysail or small self-tacking solent jib, Code 0, gennaker and asymmetric spinnaker. The standard is equipped with a mainsail furled in the mast. A classic mast is optional, but the possibility of having the mainsail sheet to and fro at the helm is only available with the First Line pack, which includes a larger Z Diffusion mast and more dimensioned deck fittings. More flexibility in these choices would be welcome with the option of having this option, which facilitates trimming with a reduced crew, with the furling mast or even the classic one.
A nice surprise
20 knots of wind blowing offshore. Here we are out of the harbour with one reef in the classic mainsail and the genoa rolled in two turns. The rudder feel is very soft and the course keeping is good and we gain the open sea in the unrestrained (about 50° of apparent wind) at an average speed of 7.5 knots. The sea gradually forms, then we tighten the wind to 36° from the apparent wind. The speed drops to 6.5-7 knots, which is normal, but the most amazing thing is the extreme flexibility of the 1.50 m chop. As it falls back behind the wave, the V-shaped bow sinks, before the tuliping of the hull softens this chop and pushes the boat back onto its wide chine, thus limiting pitching without shock or impact. This is undeniably an architectural advance that serves both performance and comfort, and you only have to see the passengers in the very relaxed cockpit to be convinced.
Downwind, the dolphin boat with the integrated anchor, available with the Downwind pack, is very pleasant to moor the headsails. We were able to observe the next day that the boat moved very well in a 3 to 4 knot wind. There is no doubt that the hull width and the water inlets, which have been so well worked on, will be a guarantee of safety in the event of surfing in a strong breeze.
