TOP 3 Boats, accessories and electronics that have changed sailing in the past decade

Never has sailing changed more than in this decade. Boats fly, doubling the wind speed, thanks to foils. But at the same time, on the cruising front, they are increasingly easy and open to everyone, including the less young. It is a revolution that walks on two tracks, the technological one related mainly to the world of performance, and the functional one, which in some ways derives from the former but finds its application on a large scale in the world of “normal” sailors.

Boats in a sense are following a trend already beaten in the car world, where we have the technological frontier in Formula 1 and at the same time everyday cars offer us cruise control and parking sensors. In sailing we have the Imoca 60s in the Ocean and the AC 75s in the America’s Cup exploring unprecedented speed limits, while “normal” boats we drive solo from the comfort of the helm, perhaps even controlling their functions on the smartphone.

Today becoming a sailor is easier than before, precisely because boats are easier. You can cruise even over 70 or 80 safely, thanks to more intuitive deck plans, electric winches, “augmented” cartography.

OUR TOP THREE OF THE 2010-2020 DECADE

This is our “top 3” ranking of the decade, including boats, accessories, electronics! We are waiting for yours!

THE OFF-SHORE: THE FOILS

Foils are the real revolution of this decade. They introduced a new way of sailing (faster and lifted off the water), influencing it 360 degrees from the Ocean to the America’s Cup via dinghies. They have also landed in the world of production yards, and even the cruising world does not remain indifferent to their potential, see the Baltic 142 Canova (which mounts stabilizing DSS foils).

BOATS – OUR TOP THREE

1. Wider. Increasingly wide boats in the last decade. They skid less, are more powerful and stable in the stern in strong winds, and at the same time inside they increase volume and disappear the “loculus”-style rear cabins. Increasing width is one of the undisputed design trends of the decade, and it seems certain that there will be no turning back.

2. Easier (even on their own). We can maneuver a boat alone, or at most in pairs, without moving from the helm, thanks to simplified maneuver layouts often positioned close to the wheelhouses. But there is more. With the new generations of furling sails on the whips we can also have gennakers as well as Code Zeroes, and the anti-twist cable is also disappearing. Easy sails for cruising as well.

3. More connected. Monitoring on-board functions from the smartphone? Today it is possible. Instrument panels are becoming more and more sophisticated, with mixed analog and digital systems, and with an app, such as the one developed by Dufour Yachts (the Dufour Community Service) we can monitor data even from home and know exactly, for example, fuel and battery levels before we get on board.

ACCESSORIES – OUR TOP THREE

1. Dolphin boat: so you stretch your boat. The “dolphin boat” phenomenon has exploded in recent years: it does not make the anchor beat against the hull with the current vertical bows. Most importantly, it allows the tacking point of the now indispensable carrier and light wind sails, such as gennaker and Code 0, to be moved to the far bow, so that it can be rigged without obstructing the forestay where the jib is hoisted. It is often now integrated and integral with the hull.

2. The blenders “took out” the spi. But where do you go now if you don’t have the blender? Maybe mounted on the dolphin boat we just told you about! Whirligigs have cleared the world of asymmetric, furling sails for bearers or wide windward (Code 0 type), effectively decreeing the “end” of the spinnaker. Goodbye tangoni, varee, caricabasso and ammantiglio. One selvedge and two sheets are enough.

3. Electric winches: no more effort! Thanks to more capable batteries and, above all, increasingly compact motors, electric winches have become very popular in recent years, enabling even those who are advanced in age and beginning to feel fatigue to maneuver. There are models in which the engine is entirely housed in the raised base of the winch, and they do not eat up space below deck!

ELECTRONICS – OUR TOP THREE

1. The boat always in sight. We also tell you about navigation apps from page 48. They have revolutionized the way we go to sea because they allow all the boat data to be on the smartphone or tablet. But the big news of the decade is mainly about remote monitoring: from the comfort of your home, you can check battery status, bilges, temperature, movements and intrusions.

2. Assisted mooring systems. Another “trend” that has exploded in recent years is mooring aid systems, which work just like the ones we are used to seeing in cars. Not only thanks to the sensors are alerts received if there is a risk of collision, but by interpolating the docking system with gps, we will soon be able to have boats docking themselves.

3. “Augmented” cartography. The nautical chart on your chartplotter is no longer just showing you where you are, your course, depth and coastline. The latest generation multifunctionals, allow radar and AIS targets, even more detailed bathymetrics, port and marina information in style, and even overlay satellite imagery (including 3D) to be displayed on the map. Who sits at the chart table anymore?

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