WHERE DO THE BOATS GO? Our reader’s beautiful analysis

Vincenzo Arienti is a great sailing enthusiast who has been our reader for several years. Bolognese, a graduate in Medicine and Surgery, since 1998 to date he has been the Director of the UO Med. Int. A of Hosp. Major in Bologna and holds various teaching positions. He is also the author of more than 700 Course-Congresses and publications. His passion for sailing led him to start with the legendary Meteor and Comet 700s (“I had even thought of tackling the ocean with the Meteor!” he told us). After many years of racing, he bought a Swan 51 in the 1990s, with which he sailed throughout the Mediterranean, then alternated between a GS50 and racing on the Platu 25. Today, he enjoys going out solo on a First 21.7.
He sent us in the editorial office a nice report from the last Genoa boat show, with a very careful analysis, seen through the eyes of a true enthusiast, of the new features of the latest generation of boats. We gladly publish it and ask you: are there any other details and features that struck you at the fall shows?

THE IMPRESSIONS OF A SAILING ENTHUSIAST
I have always attended the Genoa boat show to spend a day in the sailing world, to chat with friends about shipyards, sailmakers, accessories and various instruments. So again this year, having passed 65 years of age (40 of which have been spent as an owner, racer and cruiser), I propose to lifelong friends/members that we go to Genoa together. Some give up because they are busy, others because of disaffection, and eventually I find myself alone; the passion is such, however, that in the end I decide to leave and, driving my car, I drive more than 600 kilometers.

VI ado to the salon with a very specific purpose, to see what the new versus used market offers, which I have recently evaluated, both in the 35-foot boat range (under 9.99 mt to be precise) to buy on my own, and in the 50-foot range to buy with the above-mentioned friends/owner members, although if they feel they are a little too old to run a 50-foot sailboat.

The fact of having gone from small boats, then larger and finally small again reflects what is the natural evolution of the sailor: first young inexperienced, then experienced with more resources but little time, and finally with a lot of time but alas also more physical limitations.

Turnout. I don’t know what the attendance figures were at the end of the show, but I was surprised to find at 10 minutes after opening no lines at either the ticket counter or the turnstiles. And this despite the shrinking number of show days this year and the fact that the weather forecast was favorable for just Wednesday, the first day of the show. When the gates opened, there would be about 70 of us visitors. “Good,” I said to myself, so I will certainly have a chance to see more boats without the usual waiting for one’s turn at the dock.

Preparation of some exhibitors. If I had to find a fault with this show, I believe that the preparation of the generally trained boat presentation staff was sometimes incompetent even on fundamental aspects of the product to be presented. By way of example: I could not find out who had designed the hull or the interior; whether the boat could also be supplied in a crusier or cruiser-racer version, with another bulb, mast and sail area, rod rigging, increased winches, and so on; talking about polar I was looked at like a Martian, etc. In conclusion, in some cases staff were unable to convey the added value of the model presented by their own site compared with similar models presented by competitors. I personally think that, especially at a time of maximum competition, some yards should have paid more attention to this aspect!

Genoa Fair 2015, what subtitle? If I were asked to give a subtitle to the Genoa 2015 exhibition, I would recommend that of.
“research and innovation”
in that, Never before have I been able to appreciate as much as this year how many shipyards have developed in-depth research of innovative solutions and exhibited their new, either as elements of “upgrading” their products on experiments already established in recent years, or as elements of absolute innovation, thanks to the transfer of knowledge and suggestions from experts who really go into the boat and do not stay stationary in the harbor, firmly rooted to their bricks. I was absolutely impressed and satisfied with my visit to the salon. Bravo, really bravo to all those who have moved in such a direction! At a time of crisis, especially the national one in general, and boating in particular, the advice to “sharpen one’s wits” and come up with something new becomes imperative in order to attract a certainly “thinning” clientele to oneself. Such a path and commitment will have rightly rewarded the effort of those who have moved in that direction.

Research and



innovation

. In summary, the elements of consolidation and innovation that I could see are represented by:
(a) shape of the hulls
(b) use of specific materials of construction (e.g., carbon parts)
(c) increase in interior volumes (cabins, dinettes, stowage)
(d) considerable increase in indoor brightness and outdoor field of view
(e) improvement of space and livability including on deck
(f) faster and more pleasant navigation
(g) simplicity of maneuvers.

The hull lines and shapes “V”-shaped, with virtually maximum beam and a very far back aft edge (Fig. 2), bring undoubted advantages such as increased space, such that a present-day 35-footer can reach the spaces of an old 40, and increased speed, both under sail and power.

The increasing use of

carbon

(rigid, light, strong fiber) is a constant in recent years both for hull construction and for masts, booms, tangons, rudders, dolphins, roll bars, gangways, etc… (Fig 3)

Relatively a increase in volume interiors, brightness and panoramic view there has been a real revolution. For years, the yachtsman, unlike his motorboat berth neighbor, has not enjoyed a wide view of the surrounding landscape at the dinette, galley, or chart table (Fig. 4-5). Typically, the below-deck sailor is said to descend into the basement or semi-basement, with a few small windows placed only higher than the plane of view, so the view is only to the sky.

Not surprisingly, calling the attention of a sailor who is below deck requires shouting or knocking on the hull! Therefore, well have all those shipyards done who have already for the past few years set up large closed windows at eye level in both the dinette and cabins, allowing a view to the outside whether standing or seated (Fig 5-6).

Some construction sites have gone further by further promoting the panoramic view By raising the floor of the dunnage, on two levels or on a single level. This has a twofold advantage: on the one hand there is a further increase in vision, brightness and ventilation, on the other hand there is a Considerable increase in bilge storage space.

Also on the subject of below decks and interior decoration, it seems strange how to this day some yards still do not provide, for closed windows, sliding blackouts, and, for those that can be opened,
blackouts
on one side and
mosquito nets
from the other, possibly both retractable. How many times are “flying” blackouts lost during a cruise? How many times are you unable to rest because you are “eaten alive” by mosquitoes, or even worse, attacked by a swarm of bees or wasps during lunch? You have to wonder if some interior designers have ever taken a boat vacation!

Speaking of of cabin rest, a decidedly modern and innovative solution was proposed by a shipyard by providing, in one of the aft double cabins, a sliding bed that allows for the possibility of arranging a double or two
single beds,
As needed. In charters, moreover, this solution allows “singles” to be better accommodated, preventing them from having to share a bed with unfamiliar people (Fig. 7).

Finally, an element that may be welcome, in boats of a certain size with a fixed table in the cockpit, is represented by the arrangement within the table of a mini-fridge external which allows, for example, a fresh drink to be available without having to go below deck. I more experienced crew members or slackers, take your pick, in these situations generally endure the heat and wait for the decisive moment when someone goes below deck, ready to resort to the classic “sorry, already if there you would pass me….“.

Unother interesting aspect is the covering of the stove with a flip-up work and support surface, which is useful for creating more space at lunch when preparing cold dishes (salads, tomatoes, sausages, and cheeses) and needing more countertops to support cutting boards and dishes.

Also for As for the deck plan, research developed by some shipyards has led to both “upgrades” of already established elements and absolute novelties. This is according to the prevailing direction of manufacturers toward a cruiser design (mostly) or cruiser racer (only a few), trying to meet the main needs of the customer:
a) better performance under both sail and motor
b ) easier sailing maneuvers in open sea, so that even non-experts can board;

c)
greater simplicity of maneuvering in port, at anchor or at the buoy hold, in order to facilitate the task of the owner/helmsman/skipper alone or with a small crew. All without stress, avoiding the unpleasant “dockside” shouting and insults to wives, children or friends who are not properly prepared;
(d ) increased space and improved livability including on deck..

Swe have been witnessing, for several decades, a gradual and steady aging of the population, and this also applies to shipowners and their friends. Indeed, marinas are becoming increasingly crowded with boats that no longer sail. But there are those who despite advancing age in sailing want to keep going, possibly with less fatigue and complexity of conducting.

For this reason, similar to as seen for the interior, also in terms of the deck plan and equipment, the yards (some more, some less…) went in the direction of the main already mentioned needs of the owner. Concrete examples of this we find:
(a ) in the bow dolphin or retractable spinnaker to rig the gennaker with single-circuit gennaker furlers (borrowed from solo ocean racing) even on small boats (mini or class 40);

b)
thin snares, only a few cm thick, of the same width as the webbing that is rolled up on itself, so as not to snag in the overlap, and which is then spliced to a line sent back to the cockpit (Fig 8);

c) snares not visible because, being very thin, they are housed inside the anchor locker (Fig 8). With such a solution, the headsail increases its area by not having the base of the genoa cut higher, above the outer furling, about at the height of the dragnets;
(d) mast moved further forward with more mainsail and reduced jib, self tacking, with rail in front of mast (Fig 16);
(e) genoa rails that have a slight overlap, shorter and mounted above the deckhouse rather than alongside it;
(f) shrouds attached to the outer side of the hull with better passage between the stern and bow (Fig 16);

(g) mainsail track either in front of the canopy or above the carbon roll bar, resulting in great cleanliness and habitability in the cockpit. The roll bar also has other advantages: it protects against dangerous jibes, it allows cockpit lights and speakers to be housed inside, and finally it can be the attachment point for extending a convenient awning;

h
) retracting the winches (possibly electric) near the rudder wheels so as to
That the helmsman can also perform the maneuvers alone, in complete control of the boat, ease of maneuvering and without excessive effort;

i
) in the smaller boats, up to 35 feet, quartered spreaders with disappearance, in addition to the roll bar-mounted mainsail traveller, even of the backstay!

k
) always in small boats in order to increase their external dimensions, placement of a folding swim platform for bathing, showering, sunbathing and descent to terra, as large as the entire stern!

A
n thedeck, too, the general orientation is to create space (unoccupied by ropes, trolleys, rails, stoppers, winches, etc.), promote livability and increase ease of boat handling.

In conclusion, besides spending a sunny day at the boat show, I was able to enjoy viewing boats, both in the 9.99 and 15 mt range, with great choice of features, quality, type (cruiser, cruiser-racer and racer) and price.

Kudos to all the shipyards who presented the major innovations, I am sure they received both an image and economic return. While, until a few years ago, it might have been advantageous to buy a good used one, as its characteristics were roughly similar to new, today most yards have created a relevant difference, not only in technology and habitability but in a great many aspects.

Vincenzo Arienti