VELAFestival 2017: from the first rumors… three big previews

We are more or less five months away from the start of TAG Heuer VELAFestival 2017, the moment when the Sailing Journal becomes a real, lived experience. In these months through the constant updating of our internet galaxy, and the related socials(Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), you will be able to follow day by day the development of this which is theonly event solely devoted to sailing in Italy and the Mediterranean. There are many novelties and confirmations in this fifth edition that make VELAFestival more and more engaging. We don’t want to anticipate too much as of now, but share some rumors to understand what awaits those who will come to Santa Margherita Ligure from May 4 to 7.

We want to tease you with three absolute Italian premieres that early “rumors” give as being on the dock at TAG Heuer VELAFestival 2017: the Mylius 65 FD Oscar 3, the Dufour 63 and the Bali 4.0.

1. MYLIUS 65 FD OSCAR 3

Just launched, the Mylius 65 FD is inspired by her big brother 19E95. The design, once again, is by Alberto Simeone and represents an evolution of the hulls of the shipyard’s previous 60′-65′: on this new 65-footer, in fact, work has been done to improve the ratio of sail area to displacement. The new hull is also significantly wider than its predecessors, especially the aft sections, which are characterized by a set-back maximum beam, promising better shape stability, performance in carrying gaits, and course stability at high speeds.

20.20 m long, 5.25 m wide, with a sail area (upwind) of 258 sq m, it is constructed entirely of carbon fiber sandwich, unidirectional and multiaxial, with PVC foam core with differentiated density-except for some areas with “solid” lamination, in epoxy matrix with vacuum-bag technique and “post cure.” A choice that made it possible to keep the displacement around 20 tons: a feature, this, that falls perfectly within the parameters of Mylius-branded fast cruisers.

The deck looks very clean, thanks in part to the decision to design a short, streamlined deckhouse: the eye appeal is definitely striking. A sense of neatness accentuated by the presence of the mainsail sheet winch positioned on a small column amidships, while the primaries and maneuvering winches are located on the aft ends of the benches, where we also find all mast rigging deferred.c

Further enhancing the feeling of cleanliness is the elimination of cross rails, replaced by a flying barber system for racing jibs, thus clearing the fairways: the only rail present is the classic self-tacking jib rail for cruising. The now-ubiquitous dolphin rail is perfect for tacking asymmetrical sails and also serves as an anchor nose.

The rigging is with quartered spreaders and broadside shrouds; the mast is “high modulus” carbon, with PBO rigging, by Hall Spars; the sails are by North Sails, edited by Andrea Casale. The deck equipment is from Harken and Ubi Maior.

The owner of Oscar3 is Architect Aldo Parisotto, former owner of the Mylius 50′ “Oscar2” and owner of “Parisotto + Formenton Architetti.” Drawing on his experience in interior design, including for boating, he collaborated with Alberto Simeone, coming up with an experimental interior layout, both in details and in furniture materials.

In the interior, the shipyard and the owner chose to use smoked eucalyptus and open-pore oak. The dinette is a large open space characterized by the presence of opposing sofas. The design of the owner’s area is particular: after passing through a carbon sliding door, one enters an “erxtralarge” suite. The choice of fittings, reminiscent of those of travel cases, is peculiar. The double bed has been placed on the forward bulkhead, while the bathroom area is divided into two, with a separate shower.

TECHNICAL DATA.
Lft. 20,20 m
Larg. 5,25 m
Pesc. 3,95 m
Disl. 20500 kg
Mainsail 146 sqm
Jib 112 sqm
Gennaker 451 sqm
www.mylius.it

2. DUFOUR 63 EXCLUSIVE

Dufour is raising the bar and preparing to launch (in Dusseldorfa January and in Italy for the first time at the VELAFestival in Santa Margherita) a new luxury range of boats, named Exclusive. The first of these boats is the 63-footer, which will be unveiled at the upcoming Dusseldorf Boat Show (in January 2017 and in Italy for the first time at the VELAFestival in Santa Margherita). The Dufour 63 Exclusive bears the signature of Umberto Felci, and will be a “semi-custom” boat: the owner will be able to choose between different configurations both in the interior and in the equipment.

A LOGICAL CHOICE
Until now, Dufour had not risen above 56 feet (with the Dufour GL 560): but since competing yards (Beneteau with the Oceanis 62, Hanse with the 675 and Jeanneau with the 64-footer) have been rowing in the direction of luxury cruisers, the French decided to cover the higher end as well. Designed with a low, streamlined line and a short deckhouse topped by a roll bar that will have the function of anchoring the mainsail circuit and supporting the installation of a bimini and spray hood. It is noticeable how Felci reintroduced the idea of the very narrow andstreamlined bow sectionswith a maximum beam set back well beyond the midship. A sign that in addition to size and luxury, the shipyard also wants to focus on performance at sea.www.dufour-yachts.com

3. BALI 4.0

The smallest of the pure cruising range from the French shipyard Catana (which continues to produce its carbon behemoths) was one of the most sought-after models of the last season. Most striking are the “fold-down” aft bulkhead and the fact that the actual cockpit is located … in the bow. In Italy you will see it for the first time as a preview at VELAFestival. It is , arguably, the most innovative 40-foot catamaran on the market. Xavier, the architect who designed this as well as the other models of the same brand, was able to revolutionize the concept of comfort aboard a catamaran by starting from the principle that there is no point in having a lot of space if you don’t use it. So here in the bow, instead of the two large nets on which children usually play, there is now a large cockpit with a long sofa, two tables and a large sundeck, a space that can be experienced throughout the day.
At the stern, the cockpit is not very large, in fact, it is quite small, but it only takes a push of a button for the wall dividing the interior dinette from the cockpit to rise and disappear, to create a very large exterior cockpit. Lung. 11.88 m; wd. 6,72. www.adriaship.it