SPECIAL. The 50 mythical boats/4: the Open Days

Browsing through our archives, a great service from two years ago jumped out at us, made possible thanks to your help. We asked you what makes a boat a myth. Construction? Speed? Robustness? Glamour? Of course, but that is not enough. We had selected 200 boats, divided into macro-categories, with the only constraint being that they were mass produced (even small) and also available on the used market. Then, we had given them to a “panel” of 300 subscribers, chosen from the most loyal. The results? Surprising, both in terms of size and the “celebrity” of the models you had chosen: after all, who said, for example, that a “Lady of the Sea” could not be 6.50 meters long? Now that we are approaching the end of the year, a time of great rankings, we present again in seven installments the 50 boats chosen just by you, divided by characteristics. After the Ladies of the Sea, theComodissime, and the Velocissime, we now look at the Open Day. And we ask, you, today, which ones would you add?

THE MYTHICAL OPEN DAYS
We have encapsulated in these pages both sport dinghies (or multi) and modern daysailers: different ways to enjoy a day at sea. You voted for two models that are famous for their performance: one is a state-of-the-art cat, reverse bows carbon mast and double trapeze, the other is an Olympic class, the fastest double-sailed. But you haven’t missed out either on models that feature very sleek lines, almost like sea spiders: they too still make use of large sail areas, but have maneuvers simplified as much as possible so that a really small crew can take them while guests enjoy a trip to coastal waters.

Brenta B42 (2008-present + 12.40 m + 100 sqm + 6000 kg)
Easy sailing and elegance are the hallmarks of the line of this daysailer designed by Luca Brenta for B-Yachts. The spacious cockpit is designed for guest comfort: the seats are actually comfortable sofas, and the stern is equipped with sunbathing cushions. The owner has a carbon hull equipped with composite rigging to enjoy: the boat has great weight stability (100 sq. m. of sail including 65 sq. m. of mainsail and 35 sq. m. of jib, as well as a large gennaker, are countered by 3,000 kg of keel on the total 6,000 kg of displacement). The appendage profiles are high aspect ratio. Maneuvering can be handled entirely from the rudder column where the mainsheet, mainsail sheet and self-tacking jib controls are located. The minimalist interior offers interesting design solutions (such as storage compartments in the bow) characterized by the contrasting light colors chosen for the upholstery, which are broken up by the exposed carbon of the through-shaft. The boat, except for the room intended for a separate bathroom in the stern, is in an open-plan layout, offering two real berths in the bow, a comfortable dinette and a small galley, allowing even short cruises lasting a few days.

Tofinou 12 (2009-present + 11.99 m + 82 sqm + 4800 kg)
A truly elegant weekend sailer, of which the famous designer Philippe Starck also designed a version. It fully embodies the concept of the “stylish” easy sailer.

Wildcat (2009-present + 5.51 m + 21.15 sq. m + 180 kg)
It has a bow tacked to make it easier to steer in strong winds and gennaker. Starting with the 2012 models, the drifts were increased to two meters.

49er (1995-present + 4.99 m + 21.2 sq. m + 70 kg)
Just over 85 kg rigged, 60 sqm of canvas with gennaker, wings, double trapeze, men’s Olympic acrobatic class, here is a boat that is already in history.

Eryd Open (2009-present + 8.7 m + 39 sqm + 1500 kg)
A customizable day sailer: in fact, the sunbathing areas are all removable, including benches… Ready in essence to move from roadstead to regatta.