BOAT REVIEW Need for Speed Five approaches to satisfying that urge to go fast — really, really, really fast.

hen designer Bill Lee latched on to the phrase W“Fast is Fun,” he did more than label his own design efforts, hesparked a new generation of that continue to attract ardent followers. Much has changed since those early days when Lee’s Santa Cruz 27s were being built by Photos by Ralph Naranjo land-bound surfers waiting for big winter swells. Lee’s plant, affectionately known as the “Chicken Coop,” has been upstaged by climate-controlled facilities and much more esoteric building techniques, but the impact of his de- signs—particularly on the traditional East Coast naval ar- chitecture establishment—reverberates today. The high-per- formance experiments of Lee and other like-minded sailors spawned a worldwide obsession with lightweight boats that could plane on a reach, and thanks to innovations in designs and materials, that passion continues to grow today. This fledgling group of speed enthusiasts prompted the evolution of a number of design elements and construction techniques aimed squarely at maximizing speed: planing hull forms, carbon rigs, specialized hardware, and sail plans that favor lift over drag. Add to this the innovations from C-Class , planing Aussie skiffs, and the offbeat foil flyers, each adding its own signature performance push, and it’s no surprise that speed records have continued to tumble. santa cruz 37 in context The legacy left in the wake of these seafaring hot-rodders has benefited the average sailor with new materials, hard- model Santa Cruz 37 J/125 Tartan 37 ware, and design improvements found in modern boats. And LOA 37’ 41’ 37’ 4” now, there’s a growing interest in the fleet of what Lee calls “street legal” boats that further push the envelope of the fast- LWL 34’ 9” 37’ 28’ 6” is-fun philosophy. These boats are usually found in the less- Beam 10’ 8” 10’ 6” 11’ 9” trafficked corners of the boat shows, in essence a sideshow that’s well worth a closer look. Draft/Shoal 7’ 6” / 6’ 7’ 9” 4’ 2” / 7’ 9” After sifting through the field of sailing sports cars on the Ballast 3,730 lbs. 4,646 lbs. 7,500 lbs. market today, PS identified five very different production craft that lived up to our expectations. They all meet the “speed- Displacement 8,662 lbs. 8,350 lbs. 15,500 lbs. ster” criteria, but by no means fall into the same mold. At the Sail area (100% top end of our size and cost profile is a Lee legacy, the Santa Foretriangle) 725 sq. ft. 865 sq. ft. 625 sq. ft. Cruz 37, a wolf in wolf’s clothing that offers performance as priority one, two, and three on the design criteria list. Next in Engine 29 hp. 20 hp. 37 hp. line is the Andrews 28, a breakaway racer/cruiser that packs Water 58 gal. 22 gal. 50 gal. performance and a Spartan minimalist’s cruising package Fuel 26.5 gal. 20 gal. 90 gal. SA/D ratio 28 34 16 With steep sail area/displacement (SA/D) and displace- ment/length ratios (D/L), the Santa Cruz 37 (above left) will D/L ratio 92 74 299 keep on her feet in light summer breezes long after the classic Price* $350,000 $400,000 $60,000 Sparkman & Stephens Tartan 37 has lost way. One of the few production boats that comes close is the J/125, which pushes * Median price of online search; actual purchase prices can vary. the performance envelope even further.

12 september 2009 www.practical-sailor.com BOAT REVIEW into a 25.7-foot waterline. Hard to miss The specs are interesting, and they is the Open 6.50, an out-and-out go-fast highlight that this is a boat that must be sport boat with room below for little sailed to be appreciated. Like a cat that more than a cooler and a bevy of high- is ready to pounce, the large mainsail- tech sails. For the diehard sailor, dominated sailplan delivers a respon- we highlight the quick planing Stealth, a sive boost to every puff that crosses 14.5-footer that redefines reaching, and the deck. The SC-37 sailplan is indica- in true giant-slayer fashion, can fly by tive of the performance trend toward most 40-footers on a power reach. Fi- large mainsails and smaller jibs, and nally, we hop aboard a turbo-charged with a sail area/displacement ratio of windsurfer, the Starboard Futura, 28, there’s plenty of power to be found which is powered by a Neil Pryde sail in the sailplan. Off the wind, the op- and runs away with the award for most tions increase. speed and fun for our dollar. A quick look at the pointy end of While some of these boats are de- the boat reveals a double-barrel set of signed with racing in mind, we rate stem projections. The smaller, well-re- them here purely according to their inforced A-frame is meant for code- fun-factor, the ability to deliver the sail handling and is rugged enough to exhilaration that comes from sailing take the on-the-wind loading of a close a high-performance boat. We are par- reach in oceanic conditions. The7- foot ticularly interested in boats that can of- retractable carbon sprit puts the tack of fer satisfying sailing in lighter winds of an asymmetric spinnaker right where about 8 knots, common in most areas it belongs, in clear air well away from of North America. If exciting racing the furled headsail. on a weekly basis is your goal, then we Below is a nicely accented interior would recommend also looking at more that’s more than a den for sailbags. The mainstream boats that are supported , berths, and a small center-line by large Performance Handicap Rac- table offer functional accommodations. ing Fleet (PHRF) or one-design fleets The cabin ambiance may not live up to a in your region. liveaboard cruiser’s expectations, but it certainly offers welcome solace for the Santa Cruz 37 off watch. Lee may no longer be building boats, With one set of jib winches in the but his Santa Cruz legend lives on. cockpit and a set on the cabintop for The latest iteration of the fast-is-fun spinnaker handling, the helmsperson is form belongs to a lightweight carbon- not crowded, and there’s space for every fiber/ epoxy-resin speedster designed function. The main halyard is led below by Kernan Yacht Design and built to and clutched off on the spar itself, mini- International Standards Organization mizing stretch and keeping the halyard (ISO) Category A standards (designated tail well out of the way. Having to go for boats generally considered capable below to blow the main halyard is not of offshore sailing). The hull and deck the best arrangement from a safety and are bonded together, and carbon/PVC convenience standpoint, but on a boat foam bulkheads and a carbon-rein- likely to have multiple crew members, forced E-glass grid are set in place us- it is not as much of an issue as it would ing a methacrylate adhesive, creating a be on a boat aimed at singlehanders or stiff, monocoque structure. There’s even cruising couples. The only other prob- a hydraulic lifting option that allows the lem we noticed was some rudder cas- fin and bulb keel to be retracted verti- sette binding when hard on the wind. cally for entry into shoal water. By presstime, the builder had already

The Santa Cruz 37’s autoclave “baked” carbon-fiber mast (top, right), lifting cassette-mounted rudder (center, right)), and 7-foot-long bowsprit reflect the advances in design, construction, and materials that have made today’s high- performance sailboats faster than ever. practical sailor september 2009 13 BOAT REVIEW

open 6.50 In Context model open 6.50 j/22 LOA 21’ 4 22’ 5” LWL 21’ 4” 19’ Beam 8’ 4” 8’ Draft/Shoal 6’ 6” / 12” 3” 10” Displacement 1,168 lbs. 1,790 lbs. Ballast 485 lbs. 700 lbs. sail area (100%) 425 sq. ft. 223 sq. ft. Engine Outboard Outboard Water 0 gal. 0 gal. Fuel 0 gal. 0 gal. SA/D ratio 61 24 D/L ratio 54 117 Price* $60,000 $17,000 * Median price of online search, actual purchase prices can vary.

Built to fit within the 6.50-meter box rule design, the Open 6.50 from Group Finot looks like a scaled-down Open 60. Its wide beam, light displacement, and minimal drag combine to yield planing speeds in light winds and surprisingly tight wind angles. Its deep bulb keel (6 feet, 6 inches) and nearly 500 pounds of ballast give it the stability required to carry an impressive amount of sail area (top). The drop keel design makes for easy trailering, as the keel can be raised to reduce the draft to a foot. Comparing the principal dimensions, the sports-car-like Open 6.50 makes popular one-design racers like the J/22 seem like bogged-down SUVs.

category. If you’re looking strictly for limits of what should be labeled “street an IRC racer, there are better options legal.” In this miniaturized iteration of out there, and in the more mainstream the go-fast ideal, they have merged an PHRF or one-design fleets racing, there ultra-lightweight (1,168 pounds), carbon are some Beneteaus and J/boats in this and foam-sandwich hull with a carbon size range that may better meet your sprit and spar. This eliverd s the ability needs. However, if you want to flat out to carry 425 square feet of sail upwind, fly on a boat with modest cruising com- and 812 square feet off the wind. Remi- forts, the SC-37 delivers in spades. niscent of scaled-down 60-footers, this ultralight with a wide beam aft shows Open 6.50 zip on and off the wind. This 21-foot sport boat has been de- The Open 6.50 is an engineering scribed as “100-percent carbon and masterpiece, and a clear example of 200-percent adrenalin,” and the com- how aerospace technology can be put bination delivers hoots and smiles from to good use in boat building. The hull all on board. With a 43-percent ballast laminate and foam core are assembled ratio, wide beam, and a sail area to dry in a closed mold and slipped into changed the bearing engineering to displacement ratio that redefines the an autoclave to be baked under elevated eliminate this problem. concept of being powered up, this high- pressure and temperature—curing like Bottom line: Despite its teething strung sportboat gets going while oth- a high-tech loaf of bread. The carbon- pains (rudder problems at this level of ers remain stuck in the water. fiber prepreg resin flows when heated, the game are not acceptable), the SC-37 Carrying the fast-is-fun philosophy and the exacting nature of the pressure truly ramps up the fun factor in this size to the next level, Group Finot pushes the induced bond leads to laminate con-

14 september 2009 www.practical-sailor.com BOAT REVIEW sistency and the highest of strength- to-weight ratios. Foam flotation and a sealed carbon mast provide the boat with an unsinkable ISO Category-C label and added resistance to capsizing. Thanks to a drop-keel design, the Open 6.50 can change its draft from 6 feet, 6 inches to 1 foot for easy trailer launching and recovery. Twin rudders tame steering characteristics despite the ultra-wide beam carried all the way to the transom. All of the controls are placed at just the right points for easy trimming, and the flat-top, high-aspect- ratio main and jib deliver maximum punch. The 7-foot retractable carbon sprit adds a downwind dimension to Comparing the Andrews 28 to one of the more nimble classic plastics of similar sailing that can only be described as length reflects how advances in composite technology has allowed builders to turbocharged. drastically reduce hull weights. Despite carrying almost the same working sail area, Optimum crew size varies with con- the Andrews weighs in at less than half of the Pearson 30, one of the “faster” boats ditions and how hard the throttle will reviewed in our April 2008 issue that looked at 30-footers from the 1970s. be kept down. Two can have plenty of fun sailing the boat, but to squeeze out maximum performance, three to five tradition and the excess weight that Andrews 28 In Context seems to be the right number, and the creates increased wetted surface, skin andrews pearson range depends upon a tally of size and drag, and all the other drag issues that model 28 30 skill. give many cruisers a chronic case of LOA 28 29’ 9’ The Open 6.50 is an all-Harken hard- the slows. In its place is a minimalist ware platform, and both the deck layout approach—simple but functional basic LWL 25’ 9” 25’ and choice of gear fit the job at hand. cruising amenities, a compact diesel Beam 9’ 10” 9’ 6” The boat’s light-air ability is astound- auxiliary and an obvious emphasis on ing, and in only 10 knots of breeze, the the rig, sailplan, and deck layout—the Draft 7’ 5’ crew can coax bouts of planing. Hiking stuff that sailing is really all about. Displacement 3,750 lbs 8,320 lbs. is optional, and remains a legs-in effort, The foam sandwich hull is created but when the true wind and boat speed through a resin-infusion process that Ballast 1,290 lbs. 3,560 lbs. start to look the same, it’s amazing how minimizes void content and maxi- sail area (100%) 466 sq. ft. 444 sq. ft. far forward the apparent wind moves, mizes core adhesion. Carbon fiber is another reason that a sprit-set, reaching used in key high-load areas to achieve Engine 10 hp. 30 hp. asymmetric spinnaker is favored over a the necessary strength with the least Water 5 gal. 23 gal. fuller-cut, deep reaching sail. amount of additional weight. A grid is Bottom line: The Open 6.50 revs up molded into the bilge and loads from Fuel 10 gal. 20 gal. the fine art of daysailing, but the big the deck-stepped spar are transferred SA/D ratio 31 17 downside is the price tag, about the via a compression post to the grid. same as a well-appointed BMW. With An innovative lifting keel retracts D/L ratio 98 238 it comes no bunks, diesel auxiliary, or into a centerline slot, masquerading in Price* $89,153 $12,000 potential for overnighting—just the the cabin as a convenient table. With pure enjoyment of having one of the just a quick hoist, the 7-foot deep-draft * Median price of online search, actual purchase prices can vary greatly. fastest and most fun sailing machines foil and bulb keel morphs into a 2-foot, to be found on any local bay, lake, or 8-inch gunkholer that’s trailerable, a other inshore estuary. feature that opens up North America’s more than just another reincarnation most appealing cruising destinations. of a Midget Offshore Racing Club Andrews 28 A high-aspect ratio, carbon fiber, til- (MORC) boat. Alan Andrews has introduced a new ler-steered rudder can be easily pulled When it comes to weekend adventure breed of racer-cruiser, and there’s good out of its transom-mounted cassette. or a weekslong summer cruise in a re- reason to see it as a break-through The combination keel and rudder ad- mote trailer-sailing destination, there’s boat. Gone is the gingerbread trim of justability make the Andrews 28 much much going for the A-28. Its accommo- practical sailor september 2009 15 BOAT REVIEW

stealth 14.6 In Context Stealth Vanguard model 14.6 c420 LOA 14’ 6’ 13’ 9’ LWL 24’ 2” 5’ 5” Beam 5’ 8” 5’5 ” Draft/Shoal 3’ 6” / 5” 3’ 2” / 6” weight 150 lbs. 230 lbs. Sail area 92 sq. ft. 110 sq. ft. SA/D ratio 16 17.3 D/L ratio 316 238 Price* $10,000 $7,400 * MSRP Representing the latest evolution in sailing , the Stealth 14.6 allows sailors to either set or douse the gennaker with just one double-ended line (above). Some to the package and still keep the boat 80 pounds lighter than the conservatively canvassed Club 420, the Stealth has car- price just shy of $10,000. top potential and offers a huge sail-area to weight advantage. One of the most interesting attri- butes of this little skiff is the asym- dations, though far from sumptuous, point as Hunters, Catalinas, and Bene- metric spinnaker that can be set and are adequate for the job at hand. With teaus with similar waterline lengths. doused with one set of lines. In 15-knot a sink, one-burner stove, ice box, and conditions, a singlehander simply bears enough space to prepare a simple meal, Stealth 14.6 off a tad, puts the breeze on the beam, the mini galley rates an adequate score. Some sailors see dinghies as child’s play and pops the chute, adding a warp- The berths are comfortable,and there’s while others revel in a chance to hold speed boost. Instead of launching into a small but welcome nav station. Tank- onto a bit of youth. In truth, the Stealth chaos, the chine digs in, and the boat age is minimal, but with an enclosed is more Aussie skiff than traditional climbs on top of the water. Sailing takes head, albeit with a shade-like faux door, 420 or Flying Junior. From above, it’s on a definite surfing overtone, and the the boat qualifies as a . shaped like a pizza slice, and the hard positive control of the helm keeps The real appeal of this boat is found chines, high-aspect ratio alloy blades things under control. When it’s time underway, when its thoroughbred han- and substantial carbon sprit allude to to reign in the excitement, there’s no dling characteristics and efficient sail- an elevated level of performance. Con- need for any white knuckle gymnastics, plan come into their own. The carbon ceived by the crew at Kernan Yacht De- just uncleat the double-ended set-and- sprit allows a sizable asymmetric spin- sign and built by CL Sailboats of Fort douse line, and retract the asymm into naker to be handled by a shorthanded Erie, Ontario, the Stealth injects rocket its turtle. Caging the beast has never crew, and the sail area is enough to keep fuel into the sport of dinghy sailing. been so easy. things moving even when the breeze Perhaps the biggest surprise in this Bottom line: Kids growing bored isn’t much over 5 knots. The tiller- little speedster is the sensible blend of with nudging a conventional dinghy steered helm is a delight, and Andrews’ materials that have been used to deliver through the water will gain a new per- legacy rings through loud and clear. performance at an affordable price. The spective about sailing the moment they Bottom line: Sylvana has de- hull and deck are comprised of a hand- set off on a double-digit plane, and the livered a boat built to a performance laid E-glass sandwich structure that is Stealth brings that goal within easy standard. They have kept the weight in joined with a methylacrylate adhesive reach. If a bargain-priced, plane-on-a- check, and the result is reminiscent of called Plexus. The combination of good reach performance will make your day, when Porsche built its original speed- workmanship and mainstream mate- the Stealth is bound to hold appeal. ster, a vehicle that rekindled the fun of rials delivers a stiff, durable hull that driving. Like the German auto icon, weighs in at 150 pounds, making it ca- Starboard Futura Andrews and Sylvan have come up pable of car-top transport. By avoiding The irony in this David-and-Goliath with a sensible price point for their re- esoteric materials and costly molding quest for speed under sail is that the defined pocket racer/cruiser. At just shy procedures, the builder is able to add smallest, lightest, and less expensive of $90,000, the boat is in the same price carbon spars and North Sails canvas gear often goes the fastest. And no-

16 september 2009 www.practical-sailor.com BOAT REVIEW

Starboard Futura Volume (liters) 111 liters Length 240 cm / 94.5 in. Width 68 cm / 26.7 in. tail width 43.1 cm / 17 in. weight 6.9 kg / 15 lbs. 5-8 sq. meters/ Sail Range 53-86 sq. feet Drake-Freeslalom fin type Swift 380 30-42 cm/ fin range 11 to 16 in. fin Box type Tuttle Price* $2,000 * Median price found in online search. From a dollars-per-knots perspective, modern sailboards like the Starboard Futura run away with first prize. A far cry from the shapes and forms of early iterations, where is the sail area/displacement today’s windsurfers make getting up on a plane and staying there easier than ever. ratio as telling as it is with the last of our speedsters, a Starboard windsurfer and a Neil Pryde sail. Bottom line: Companies like Star- that among our test field, the Andrews This stand-up sailer has no cockpit, board manufacture a wide range of 28 is the best all-around performance rudder, standing , or hint of crea- boards that are light, stable, and fast. cruiser/racer for our general readership. ture comfort beyond padded footstraps. The new Futura model is a responsive, It’s a boat that can be club-raced by a But it can leave all of the other boats highly maneuverable board that’s easy shorthanded crew and can serve as an reviewed here in the dust. The downside to plane and perfectly at home in a excellent pocket cruiser for those who of going 25 knots-plus on a windsurfer wide range of conditions. rank voyaging under sail higher than is the need to spend a couple of seasons dockside entertaining. This little developing the skill to access this plan- conclusion has been designed to be easily main- ing phenomenon. Today’s wide, light Fast, light boats are fun to sail, but tained and quick to get underway—fea- boards and high-aspect sails make this there are a few tradeoffs that boat buy- tures that definitely deliver more hours learning curve much easier than it was ers should keep in mind. The first is that under sail. during the dawn of the sport when nar- all the performance is contingent upon row, longboards weighing as much as keeping the boats as light as possible, an elm tree were propelled with table- and if you’re a person that brings gear to CONTACTS cloth-like sails. the boat but never takes anything home, Test pilot Tara Mitchell (photo beware of what’s happening to the - santa cruz yachts 904/284-0181 above) tried out a 111-liter-volume terline. Just as bog down www.santacruzyachts.com board powered with a 53-square-foot when overloaded, so do these nimble Neil Pryde sail, one of many designs go-fast monohulls. Alan Andrews Yacht design the company has pioneered. The There’s also a need to visualize these 562/594-9189 “Combat” sails are highly reinforced boats as sports cars, not pickup trucks, www.andrewsyacht.com and often used in heavier winds. and while letting an old Westsail pound Carbon masts and booms also fit the against a pier will usually result in more Open sailing Inc. strong-and-light theme, and when it damage being done to the pier than the 310/928-6570 comes to shaping up the innovations boat, these new hulls with their stiff, thin www.sailingsportboats.com of sailmakers like Neil Pryde, stiff skin, sandwich structure aren’t built to Cl sAILBOATS carbon spars are a big plus. Interest- take such non-sailing point loads. 905/871-4625 ingly, innovative full-batten design Although Technical Editor Ralph www.clsailboats.com sails with fat-head high-aspect ratio Naranjo, an avid windsurfer, favors the shapes were seen on sails stand-up side of performance sailing stARBOARD well before America’s Cup syndicates and points to the knots-per-dollar ad- www.star-board.com caught on to their advantage. vantage the windsurfer offers, he agrees practical sailor september 2009 17