In the idyllic waters of the North Sound, nestled on the shores of Virgin Gorda, there’s a special place that’s become a beacon of hope and resilience—Bitter End Yacht Club. 

When Irma roared through in September 2017, it left behind a path of unimaginable destruction. Among its victims was the beloved Bitter End Yacht Club, a cherished retreat for sailors, adventurers, and those who simply love the sea.

For over 40 years, Bitter End Yacht Club was more than just a resort and marina; it was a sanctuary where families gathered for unforgettable memories, in, on and around the water. When the hurricane destroyed it, the loss was deeply felt by Bitter End’s extended family and the sailing community from across the globe. The calls came in from far and wide for ways to support, and could they buy a t-shirt, sailing shorts or a cap to aid the cause. So, Bitter End Provisions was born.

Bitter End Provisions isn’t just an apparel brand; it’s a tribute to the indomitable spirit of sailors, adventurers and island hoppers. Every piece of apparel and gear they create is infused with the love of the sea and the adventure it promises. From rugged, stylish clothing, home goods to practical gear for a life lived on the water, Bitter End Provisions makes gear that is both functional and fashionable and does good while making it.

Core to the heart of this brand is giving back. Like Bitter End Provisions, The Bitter End Foundation was created following the storm, and with a mission that goes beyond the shores of BEYC. The foundation is dedicated to the recovery and revitalization of Virgin Gorda and beyond. They’re committed to community development, environmental sustainability, youth development and education, working tirelessly to help the region bounce back stronger than ever.

The Bitter End Foundation focuses on stewarding the world’s seas, oceans and waterways and the unique needs of communities that surround them. From coral reef restoration, planting mangroves, and promoting sustainable tourism to protect Virgin Gorda’s unique ecosystem, their work ensures that the pristine waters and vibrant marine life can be enjoyed by future Bitter Enders and generations of sailors and ocean lovers. 

At Bitter End, they’re not just rebuilding a place; they’re uniting kindred spirits who care about their mission and ensuring the spirit of the Bitter End lives on. When you sail through the BVI – stop ashore and find out for yourself. 

The post Bitter End Provisions: Rising from the Storm appeared first on Cruising World.

The BVI Spring Regatta kicked off this year with an exhilarating around Tortola Race, set against classic Caribbean conditions that had a fleet of 44 boats, across their 5 respective classes, eagerly anticipating action on the Sir Francis Drake course. With a brisk 16 knots at the start, the upwind leg toward Beef Island demanded tactical finesse, with the team aboard Rikki engaging in a dinghy race style battle with their competitors, as they vied for position at the windward mark.

RP42 Rikki, owned by Bruce Chaffee, boasts a crew of relatively young sailors in their 20s, each with impressive sailing resumes, cutting their teeth in the professional sailing world. Easily spotted by its striking red hull, Rikki stands out on the water, and the excited energy onboard is contagious. This team is serious about results, but also about the fun they have onboard.

Outfitted from head to toe in Bitter End Provisions gear, it was champagne sailing for the RP42 crew, who prevailed around the windward mark, leading the charge downwind.

The breeze steadily increased from 20 to 22, and then exceeded 24 knots on the thrilling downwind leg, affirming the reputation of this course as one of the premier and most exhilarating in the world. For those new to BVI sailing, this day served as an irresistible introduction to the week ahead.

Rikki’s boat captain (and BVI Spring Regatta virgin), Adrian van der Wal, had to say: “It was fantastic racing in a stunningly beautiful setting. The event was well organized, the race committee did a great job and the onshore festivities were a blast!”

The BVI Spring Regatta has stood as an iconic fixture in the Caribbean sailing calendar for over 50 years, drawing sailors of diverse levels and disciplines. From the leisurely charter fleet cruising class to the adrenaline-fueled competition among high-performance catamarans vying for the Caribbean Multihull Challenge title, this event ranks high on the bucket list of sailors worldwide.

Dates for the 2025 Spring Regatta have already been announced! Mark your next year’s event, set to take place from March 31 to April 6, 2025. Keep an eye out for the Bitter End Crew as they once again take to the water in pursuit of sailing glory.

And while you’re at it, shop for your very own Bitter End Provisions gear here and prepare to set sail.

The post BVI Spring Regatta Recap appeared first on Cruising World.

The Windelo 50 is an environmentally friendly fast cruising catamaran designed for long-distance sailing adventures. With its outstanding performance, high comfort levels, and sturdy construction, it inspires confidence in sailors to embark on vast ocean voyages. The yacht’s slightly fuller lines, powerful rig, and daggerboards ensure efficient sailing even when fully loaded, allowing travelers to cover vast stretches of the ocean without compromising on essential equipment. Cruising World got on board during the 2024 Miami International Boat Show.

Key Features:

• Performance blue water cruiser
• Electric hybrid engines
• Indoor loft – reimaging indoor/outdoor living
• 6,000 watts of solar panels
• Full electrics cruising at six knots or four hours

Specs at a Glance:

• Length 15.24 m
• Beam 7.92 m
• Maximum draft 2.32 m
• Minimum draft 1.03 m
• Light displacement 11.2 t
• Freshwater tank 400 l
• Blackwater tank 200 l
• Max. number of cabins 4 (+1 skipper)
• Max. number of people 12
• Type of engines Electric and hybrid engines
• Engines power 2 x 20 kW
• Generator 18 kW (or 2 x 18 kW on option)
• Batteries park 1120 Ah 48V battery bank (53.8 kWh)
• Green energies Solar, hydrogeneration, wind turbine
• Fuel tank 500 l

The post Cruising World On Board: Windelo 50 appeared first on Cruising World.

From cash register to marina director, watersports helmsman Nick Putnam knows better than most about the ins and outs of Bitter End. In our sit-down with Nick, he recalls his come-up story of how he went from “What’s watersports?” to leading the team, plus he hints at some exciting coming attractions for BEYC 2.0.

BE: So, Nick, how’s it feel to be at the helm of Bitter End’s marina and watersports program?

NP: Honestly, it has happened very organically. It certainly didn’t happen overnight, so, you know, I feel like at this point, it comes easy, in a sense.

BE: Take us back to your first days at Bitter End. When did you arrive onshore?

NP: February of 2013. Honestly, it’s gone by pretty quickly.

BE: You’re celebrating a decade in the North Sound. What brought you here?

NP: I was working as a sailing instructor at a summer camp up in Michigan, where I’m from. I was 18 years old and barely knew how to sail, but the camp gave me an opportunity to really fall in love with it. The other lucky thing was that Jerome Rand, BEYC’s then-watersports director, also worked at that camp. I was the kid just following him around everywhere, pestering him constantly to figure out what I needed to do, what certifications I needed, to get to Bitter End. I just wanted to work with the watersports team, so when I actually got hired, I didn’t even mind that it was as the kids’ camp director, which is one step down even from being an instructor. But I was able to start giving sailing lessons, and I was learning to windsurf at the time, and doing all these activities that aren’t really a thing in Michigan.

BE: So your first exposure to many watersports was at Bitter End itself?

NP: Yes, I knew how to sail and I had some experience with windsurfing, but very little.

BE: Is windsurfing still your favorite watersport?

NP: It is. I’d say most people know me as a pretty avid windsurfer. People always kind of give me a hard time for it, because, by and large, kiting really rose in popularity, and then the latest and greatest is now wingfoiling. But I’m a bigger guy, and as I joke to my friends, I’m not really built to fly through the air like some. But I like to go fast, and I like the physical nature of windsurfing. It’s a good workout.

BE: Speaking of foils, where is the future of watersports headed?

NP: Well, the sports themselves are changing, and everything’s becoming pretty foil-dominant. Look, foils are a ton of fun, but the biggest thing is that the equipment disconnects into a few different pieces and goes into a bag. And so you easily travel with it or store it on a boat, and take it out just as easily.

BE: What does that mean for Bitter End’s programming, where watersports old and new are central to its appeal? What will stay and what might change?

NP: The Hobie Cats aren’t going anywhere—they’re forever popular. They were the pillar that we started with when we reopened, and we’ve built around that. And even windsurfing, we still get a fair amount of people coming down for it—which is great, obviously, because you know how I like it. Plus, a lot of guests, some of them don’t even want to go out on the water; they just want to see the windsurfers out there. So those iconic elements of Bitter End’s watersports will always be here.

As for what’s new, the biggest thing is just that we are in this kind of second iteration of Bitter End. In many ways, it’s so similar, but it’s also very much different. And so, we have an opportunity to try something out, and see if it works. If it doesn’t work, we try something else, you know? The same with the team—we’re bringing in the next generation and giving them opportunities to contribute. So that’s been the probably the most rewarding part.

BE: Where are you most likely to be found on your days off?

NP: Sometimes you can find me in the laundry room, sadly. [Laughs] No, I’d say, depending on what the day has given me, it likely includes a water activity. If it’s a calm day, I’m down to the beach, just hanging out, in and out of the water, probably got the barbecue going. I mean, even on a day off, you’ll likely find me back at BEYC, either down at watersports or at the Reef Sampler Bar.

BE: To that point, people often say that Bitter End feels more like a family than a place. What’s in the water that you want to be here, even on your days off?

NP: I think it’s a few things. First, it’s incredibly cool to be able to come down here and pick up something new, whether it be watersports or a new connection. You’re rubbing elbows with a lot of interesting people but in a very relaxed way on a day-to-day basis. You’re given the world, almost, you know what I mean? Then it’s on you to take advantage of it.

Beyond that, not only do the owners treat you as family, but everyone who works here, past and present, becomes part of BEYC’s shared history. The place really does feel like it belongs to all of us. So, after a day spent working hard and then going hard on the water, you’re with your co-workers bonding over meals, maybe even a few rums, and you’re sharing stories—about yourselves, but also about people who have come and gone. Which is great, because when they come back, you feel like you already know them, even if you haven’t met yet.

And then, bit by bit, just as you get to know the place, the place gets to know you. I’ve found this part of the world to just be one of these places that continues to open up.

BE: Bitter End certainly has a legendary history, but especially now, it’s future is looking equally epic. Peer into your crystal coconut: What you see as the future of BEYC’s marina and watersports program? What happens in the next decade?

NP: Looking forward, I’d say the most exciting thing is really just building on the momentum that we’ve already got. With watersports, we’ll be reintroducing different things like excursions, whether it be snorkel trips or day trips to different islands. For the marina, we want to grow its size, but across the board, we’re also focused on living up to our name and turning Bitter End into more of a yacht club, which is fun as well. There’s a lot—I mean, a lot—to come. This is really just the beginning.

BE: Sounds like a pretty epic place to start.

NP: You know, I think the biggest thing is we just don’t want grow too much too fast. So what we’re doing right now is we’re adding things one by one or two by two, rather than saying, “Here’s a massive resort, push play, go!”

Instead, we’re growing incrementally with demand, so we know we’ll have exactly what customers are looking for. No more, no less. We want to help people enjoy this beautiful place, not overbuild and get in the way of their good time.

BE: To be honest, that sounds exactly how Bitter End was built the first time, piece by piece.

NP: Things really have come full circle, right? Bitter End started back in the late ’60s, early ’70s with a marina, restaurant, couple of rooms, and a little bit of watersports action, and then it became the big hit that it was for so many years. Will it be like it was before? I don’t think the plan is necessarily the same, but it’s a lot of the same working parts, for sure.

BE: Well it ended up in a pretty good place before, so it’s pretty thrilling to think about what’s to come.

NP: Exactly! I’m just honored to be here to see it through.

The post Center of Effort appeared first on Cruising World.

Bitter End Yacht Club continues to gain momentum since the resort reopened in late 2021. The iconic resort, located in North Sound, Virgin Gorda, BVI has been a haven for sailors and watersports enthusiasts since 1969 with a litany of ways to play in, on and around the water. Now, in the early months of 2024, Bitter End Yacht Club emerges with a wave of excitement, unveiling a treasure trove of new offerings to their watersports program.

Sail up to Bitter End’s state-of-the-art Quarterdeck marina, where you’ll be greeted on the dock by one of the most professional and enthusiastic crews the BVI has to offer, sure to give you the full scoop on all the bustling property’s ongoings. From there, just a short walk down the sugar sand beach, past the only sunken-boat-turned-bar in the BVI, you’ll find the Watersports Shack, where BEYC’s team of experts will get you acquainted with their club fleet of sailboats, windsurfers, wings & foils, SUP boards and more. Whether you’re a serious sailor, or dipping a toe in, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy and learn on the North Sound.

“It is heartwarming and exciting to see our Club Fleet growing again with new sailboats, paddleboards, kayaks and whalers exploring our watersports playground…” said Lauren Hokin, founding family member. “Our Club Fleet is central to the Bitter End experience. We are thrilled to welcome new opportunities for adventure and education on North Sound as we chart a course towards an even brighter future.”

In addition to private lessons, adventure sailing and Bitter End’s (in)famous Beer Can Regattas, the team has added a number of new boats, and activities to their line-up for the 2024 season.

Sporting the resort’s emblematic cleat on their Bitter End Provisions gear, sailing instructors Gemma and Geoff excitedly rig the latest additions to the fleet: two neon yellow RS Zests. In collaboration with Zim Sailing, North America’s largest small boat manufacturer and distributor, the versatile dinghies have traveled nearly 2,000 miles to complement BEYC’s existing fleet. These vessels, reminiscent of the ILCA and Sunfish class, combine speed with stability, promising an exhilarating day on the water for sailors of all skill levels. With the RS Zests at their disposal, adventurers set sail to explore the hidden coves and azure waters of Virgin Gorda and neighboring islands. Marina Manager Nick Putman says, “The RS Zests have been an amazing compliment to our fleet. We wanted to bring in a monohull platform that was high-performance for experienced sailors, but also approachable enough for junior sailors or someone new to the sport. I don’t think there’s been a single day those boats haven’t left the beach since they arrived!” 

Beyond the RS Zests, the return of Kinto Sprauve’s weekly snorkel excursion has been cause for celebration. Pre-Irma guests will remember heading out beyond Prickly Pear Island to explore some of the BVI’s most colorful reefs, one aptly named for Kinto himself. With a fully packed cooler onboard, guests can dip below the surface to discover kaleidoscopic reefs teeming with sea life. From Eagle Rays to the BVI’s Spiny Lobster, each dive is a revelation, a testament to the boundless wonders of the Caribbean’s aquatic ecosystem.

For guests seeking a bit more tranquility, a morning mangrove paddle or stand-up paddle yoga class is in order. Enthusiasts converge atop paddle boards for a not-too-serious fusion of fitness and tranquility. With the backdrop of a protected cove on the quiet south end of Bitter End, paddle board yoga sessions offer a soulful retreat, while the mangrove paddle is perfect for taking in the flora and fauna of the BVI with a moderate workout.

As visitors chart their course through the watersports offerings, Bitter End beckons with a promise of unparalleled, bespoke experiences, just like they have been for over 50 years. From paddle boarding to snorkeling and the thrilling addition of RS Zests to the growing Club Fleet, every moment spent at this maritime haven is a celebration of the seafaring spirit.

What’s next on the horizon for Bitter End? Stay tuned…

The post Bitter End Expands Watersports Program appeared first on Cruising World.

What does a charter vacation with The Moorings look like? Sailing through pristine waters, snorkeling over remote coral reefs, exploring the white sand beaches, and sipping on a famous painkiller from the Soggy Dollar. Click here to explore the possibilities.

The post The Moorings: The Journey is the Destination appeared first on Cruising World.

Michel Dufour was one of the earliest pioneers of composite boatbuilding in Europe. A keen racing sailor with a background in mechanical engineering, he started Dufour Shipyard on the French Atlantic Coast in 1964. Some 60 years later, the company that bears his name continues innovating with new sailboat designs in models ranging from 37 to 61 feet.

Cruising World’s Boat of the Year judges test-sailed the Umberto Felci-designed Dufour 41 this past October in Annapolis, Maryland, and came away with several fresh impressions from this storied builder. The first one struck us at the dock: a bold visual impression. Today Dufour Yachts’ La Rochelle headquarters stands only 60 miles from Les Sables d’Olonne, start of the quadrennial Vendée Globe nonstop solo round-the-world race, so it’s no surprise that from its bow on, this new Dufour echoes the looks of the latest IMOCA racing machines. Felci’s hull is stepped outward above the waterline, then rolls back inward again near the sheerline, bringing the beam well forward while preserving a narrow waterline entry for windward performance under sail.

That same feature contributed to our second strong impression when we walked below: an impression of light. The designer’s choice to carry the beam forward opens the interior such that this 41-footer feels more spacious than other boats of the same length. Longitudinal windows in both the hull and the cabin house, plus ample hatches in the coachroof, flood the interior with daylight.

Interior designer Luca Ardizio employs indirect LED lighting and soft colors to carry that same light and open feeling throughout the boat after the sun goes down. Interior treatments come in two versions: Europe (for a modern urban look) and Boston (traditional yacht look).

The 41 comes in one of three layout options with either three or four private cabins and either two or three showers and heads. In the four-cabin version, a true soundproof bulkhead separates the cabins, each with generous 57-inch berths. Yet Dufour knows that the outdoors is where sailors most love to spend their time. With optional refrigeration and grill top at the transom, why would you ever go below? Long cockpit settees accommodate guests, while most of the sailhandling can occur aft of the two wheels.

Felci’s design team has stuck with a single deep rudder on centerline, while many competitors have transitioned to twin rudders. The BOTY judges appreciated that this single rudder is protected by the keel. In close-quarters maneuvering, the boat turned within its own length, answering to prop thrust alone (not boatspeed, as twin rudders require) to effect turns.

Sailhandling was simple and safe, with the mainsheet blocked forward of the cockpit and away from guests. The self-tacking headsail makes every maneuver virtually hands-free. As we learned in Annapolis, the elements we saw aboard the new Dufour 41 are the same ones that will mark at least the next four years of design throughout the whole Dufour fleet. Messrs. Felci and Ardizio and the Dufour engineers clearly know how to take a sailboat and light it up.

For more information on the Dufour 41, visit dufour-yachts.com/en/luxury-yachts/dufour-41/

The post Dufour Lights It Up appeared first on Cruising World.

It’s safe to say that there has never been a performance-oriented cruising boat quite like the HH44. In Cruising World’s annual Boat of the Year contest, the magazine’s judging panel became quite familiar with the brand’s previous models: the HH66, HH55 and HH50, all of which acquitted themselves extremely well. And the legendary multihull design team of Gino Morrelli and Pete Melvin have a long list of cutting-edge accomplishments across the offshore-catamaran spectrum, prior to and including their association with HH Catamarans. Melvin & Morrelli are the real deal, with an extensive résumé of bluewater success to prove it.

But as the latest judging panel learned in sea trials on Chesapeake Bay following this past October’s US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, the HH44 is literally a different breed of cat, what the company rightfully refers to as HH’s “second generation” of twin-hulled yachts, one “that really kind of marks a shift toward a more environmentally friendly electric future.”

That shift to a hybrid approach to propulsion, with new advances in charging systems and battery maintenance, is a stunning story. But first things first. Like its siblings in the HH quiver, the new 44-footer first and foremost offers a joyful, unparalleled sailing experience. Despite the fact that the HH44 was fresh out of the box, only a couple of days removed from arriving on a freighter, under near-ideal conditions of 12- to 16-knots of steady breeze, the sprightly cat trucked to weather while flirting at 10 knots of boatspeed. With its deep daggerboard deployed, it tracked like a freight train with the lightest of helms. If you enjoy sailing, the HH44 will light you up.

And yet, that’s only half the narrative, and for some cruising sailors, it won’t even be the most alluring part.

That’s because the HH44 employed, first of all, a construction laminate that the Cruising World judges described as “the most sophisticated hull/deck structure in the entire fleet: epoxy-infused E-glass and carbon fiber in high-load areas over a thermoformed foam core. The thermoformed foam eliminates kerfs, and the extra resin weight in them.” Translation? A light, rigid, bulletproof layout that makes for an impressive combination of strength and speed in one beautifully rendered package.

But then, as the judges noted, HH doubled down on the technology that defines this boat: “It also had the most sophisticated house systems and propulsion, starting with their ‘parallel hybrid’ drive, a system unlike any we’ve inspected on any boat before this one.” Electric motors are built onto the back of the twin Beta Marine diesels with a coupling to the transmission. The electric motors can effectively be used as a pair of 5 kW generators to charge the battery bank. Adding regeneration while sailing provides up to 2 kW per shaft at 10 knots of boatspeed. An additional 43 kWh of energy are produced by the solar array on the cabin top.

What this translates to is silent operation under power in full electric mode, augmented by hydro-generation to top off batteries while sailing, with the good old-fashioned reliability of those diesel engines as a backup. It’s a boat that checks all the boxes.

To sum up, the HH44 is a fully found engineering marvel. It will take you wherever you wish to go—quickly, quietly and efficiently.

For more information on the HH44, visit www.hhcatamarans.com/hh44.

The post The HH44—An Engineering Marvel appeared first on Cruising World.

If you’ve watched Hanse Yachts’ development over the past decade or more, you’ll see something entirely new in the Hanse 510. For many years the German boatbuilder has offered simple-to-sail, good-performing monohulls in the 50-foot range, beginning with the 495, then transitioning through the 505 and finally the 508. Each of those boats was designed by design firm Judel/Vrolijk out of Bremerhaven, Germany. With subtle changes along the way, those models shared the common traits of a pronounced freeboard, low coachroof, and plumb bow.

By contrast, the new 510 breaks that trend, carrying on instead from something Hanse Yachts started in 2021 when it launched the 460: a new working partnership with French yacht designers at Berrett-Racoupeau. This boat emphasizes powerful horizontal lines, particularly at the waterline, with a reverse bow that suggests a Volvo Ocean Race boat. A chine—subtle forward and more pronounced farther aft—confers low wetted surface near the waterline yet ample volume above. Meanwhile, the freeboard is more traditionally proportional.

Cruising World’s Boat of the Year judges test-sailed the 510 in Annapolis, Maryland, in October, and they were immediately struck by the generous cockpit space. The boat they sailed had an optional tempered-glass windshield and hardtop that sheltered the long cockpit settees yet opened to let in the light in fine weather.

In this boat, the social cockpit is at once separated from and connected with the working cockpit. Twin helm pedestals, outboard to port and starboard, create a subtle separation without in any way blocking eye contact or conversations; primary and secondary winches are placed in the space between the helm stations and the settees. All sailhandling lines are led to these positions, which can be reached by the helmsman alone or by crew from the settees. This, plus a self-tacking jib, keeps the sailhandling as simple as can be. It’s safe too: The mainsheet terminates forward of and entirely clear of the social cockpit.

To keep seawater out of the cockpit, Hanse built ample drainage into the side decks. An integrated step leads from the cockpit to the side deck, while also providing a line bag for sheet tails and other spaghetti. The hardtop provides an excellent handrail for this transition. Optional barbecue and sink, as well as shower, round out the Hanse’s cockpit amenities. A tender bay with Hanse’s tender arm system provides a place for the dinghy—off the deck, without davits, and out of the way.

For more information on the Hanse 510, visit hanseyachtsag.com/hanse/us/yachts/hanse-510/

The post All the Space in the World appeared first on Cruising World.

In the great mono-versus-cat debate, what does a cruising multihull have that a monohull doesn’t? The typical reply would be lots of deck space, multiple places to gather, private accommodations for the owner and guests, and if there’s a flybridge, a great view in every direction. What’s not to like, right?

But for many sailors, there’s a trade-off to be made when it comes time to write a check for a new boat, because a similar size monohull is probably going to be more fun to sail, especially upwind, and all things being equal lengthwise, the monohull is likely easier to fit in a marina slip and less expensive to maintain because there’s one engine instead of two, and systems such as AC and electrical are confined to a single hull.

So, tired of seeing customers kick the keels of its monohulls only to slap down a deposit on a cat, French builder Jeanneau decided it was time to start with a black piece of paper and come up with a design that marries cat-style living with monohull performance. They call it the Jeanneau Yachts 55.

It’s a heck of a boat. Naval architect Philippe Briand and interior designer Andrew Winch have created a powerful hull form with loads of interior volume, an enormous cockpit that stretches from the stern to nearly the mast, with the option to enclose much of that area with a hard dodger and Bimini, the latter with a center panel that opens to let in sun by day and stars by night.

Accommodations are unique. The 55 that was introduced to North America during the 2023 Annapolis Boat Show included the Bimini, and it covered a pair of tables that can be lowered to become sunbeds. They are well aft, adjacent to the fold-down swim platform. Forward of them are twin wheels, with sheets leading aft to electric winches at each steering console.

Each helm station abuts a companionway. To port, steps lead down to a large VIP cabin with a seating area, desk, and en suite head and shower. There’s a smaller guest cabin to starboard, also with its own head and shower.

Amidships, beneath the dodger, there’s another table with U-shaped seating to starboard and a nav station, complete with plotter to port. It’s a great place to sit. With windows overhead, forward and to either side, the view tremendous. Just aft of the mast, the main companionway leads to the salon and owner’s suite below. It includes a well-equipped galley to starboard, a table to port, and the owner’s private cabin, head, and shower forward.

Just like on a cat, owners and guests have a place of their own.

Comfortable dockside, the 55 lights up under sail. The boat in Annapolis came rigged with an in-mast roller furling, a self-tacking jib, a genoa and a code zero—in other words, a quiver of sails well-suited for changing conditions and any point of sail. In shifty conditions, with wind that ranged from single digits to the high teens, the boat had some get-up-and-go. In 4 knots of breeze, the speedo read 3.4 knots. In 17 knots, it was more like 7s and 8s.

And it was a fun boat to sail. At the wheel, the person on the helm can sit inboard, under the cover of the Bimini, with great visibility through the dodger’s windows, or else step out on to the walk-around side deck and lean against the solid stainless-steel railing of the rear pulpit that’s carried amidships. Out there, with one hand on the wheel, the wind’s in your face and the water’s rushing by. You know, it feels like you’re sailing—and that’s just what the creators of the Yachts 55 intended.

The Jeanneau Yachts 55 awarded Boat of the Year Overall Winner

To learn more about the Jeanneau Yachts 55, contact your local Jeanneau dealer: CLICK HERE

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