Strange but true: five boats from 2 to 8 meters that will get people talking about them

Every self-respecting boat show is not an opportunity to see live coverage of the best-known boats, but also the time when we meet with designers and site managers, with whom we also stop to talk about the most interesting or strange models seen around the docks. The Paris Motor Show is no exception, and from the speeches of these days we “pulled out” five models that, for different reasons, definitely impressed us.

Sarch S7

This cruising boat of only 7 meters is not new (we knew it as Sarch 675), but after a stunted start it is now being relaunched, with a few more inches but especially with more attention to detail. The idea is to propose a cruising boat of only seven meters in length, with good interior heights and a separate bathroom. To ensure good performance at the same time, weights were kept down as much as possible, with a hull made of CP-Epoxy and carbon fiber reinforcements, and a lifting keel was opted for. Lung. 7 m; wid. 2,49 m.

Optipon

Small (only 2.35 meters) and incorporating the rigging and appendages of the legendary Optimist. The hull, on the other hand, is very different from the dinghy on which almost every sailor in the world started. In fact, the Optipon has a hull with a slightly V-shaped bottom and is open at the stern: it is a self-emptying hull. We do not know its reactions in the water, but we are convinced that it is a boat that will strike! Lung. 2.35 m; wid. 1,16 m. www.chantiernavalflorance.com

Troll 26

Don’t be fooled by the “fantasy” and somewhat “monstrous” name. The fine water inputs are signed by Italian Paolo Bua. Breton-based Chantier des Ileaux is famous at home for its “ultrachic” designs, which combine old-fashioned lines with modern materials. The Troll 26 has an open deck where two very long old-style seats stand out, making good use of the space vacated by the very forward mast. The mainsail sheet, so as not to bother the crew, is raised up to the helmsman’s feet. Lung. 8 m; width. 2,52 m. www.chantierdesileaux.com

Ofcet 32

Rest assured, we will hear about this boat in the coming years. It is a bolide designed to excel in IRC and designed by the studio of the eclectic Marc Lombard. The young transalpine shipyard Ofcet (which took its boats to victory in both the Proto and Series categories at the last Mini Transat) focused on solid, lightweight construction and lines characterized by an inverted bow and a generous bow section. But this ten-meter also has a bright interior. Lung. 8 m; width. 2,52 m. www.yachtsynergy.it

Aloes 18

Five and a half meters easy to steer and ideal for those who want to take their first steps with a safe, no-frills boat. At the bow, the shipyard has provided a large storage space, making it suitable for even long-shore day cruises. The design of the hull made it possible to accommodate the keel box without the keel box creating movement problems. What you might not expect aboard a boat of this type is the presence of ballasts, which can accommodate up to 220 liters of seawater that greatly increases its stability. A cleverness that kept the boat’s weight down to just over 300 pounds dry. Lung. 5.50 m; wid. 2,30 m. www.atelierinterface.com