Where do the boats go? Your comments to a reader’s analysis

The detailed analysis of how the cruising boat market is evolving, in terms of design solutions, sent to us by our reader Vincenzo Arienti(which we recommend you read HERE) has caused discussion: those who agree and those who are on the “beg to differ” side.

Arienti carefully toured the Genoa Boat Show and came to a conclusion:

“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.”

Below are the most significant comments and the response – also very detailed – from Vincenzo.

YOUR COMMENTS
“More or less okay. Incondivisible instead : broadside shrouds, a junk that inhibits the use of a more generous genoa , and inlotre to the contraio, it worsens the passavanti because you end up in the low rigging . It is a solution that has the sole purpose of saving materials . Another thing that is missing is the recessing of the halyards in the calender on the cabin deck , and creating the cabin deck itself flat and with vertical side batting , so as to create an area to spread out freely . Ah another absurd and fashionable thing is the open stern which serves no purpose, is uncomfortable and does not allow you to sit towards the helm and what is worse it gives a sense of insecurity especially in heavy seas or high seas..with the risk of falling into the water!” Gino

“Kudos to the professor for the accurate review, where with meticulous instrumental investigation and clinical eye,he manages to make an evolutionary description about the improvements and innovations in sailing and beyond. For the individual visit at the boat show well, a simple communication was enough to organize, ante tempus,a large group of die-hard enthusiasts…willing to plow through any destination,propelled by the wind of brotherhood and friendship,to share an irrepressible passion, that of his majesty’s sailing.” Joseph Portorosa

“Bravo Vincenzo! As usual, a timely examination of the various aspects. The point of view is of those who now want to enjoy sailing without physically destroying themselves on every outing as is often the case with racing enthusiasts who, when faced with certain solutions, turn their noses up ( as long as their physique holds up). As for booth staff, it is true they are often unprepared but, those who know you, know what a tough test they face. PS if you gave me a voice we would probably stress those poor exhibitors in two.” Marco Platu 25

ARIENTI’S RESPONSE
“Thank you Gino, Giuseppe and Marco for your interventions. I apologize for the delay in responding, due to off-site work commitments, but I do so now cumulatively in Marco’s box.

Thank you Gino for the “pretty much okay.” Regarding the two items of disagreement (not so much with my thinking but mainly with what are the market trends that I have only reported, as the GDV has in fact aptly titled the article “where are the boats going?….), I confirm that, although against the trend, one can also agree. However, one must specify that you are referring to a certain type of boat (cruiser versus cruiser racer or racer) and, within cruisers, to a certain type of owner: the one who wants to sail safely (enclosed stern) and comfortably (seated facing the bow, with ample storage lockers) versus the one who prefers a boat (open stern) that sails very well sail, even with “bibs”; in fact, he/she gives up the stern lockers, puts the weights in the middle, has the convenience of passage both for bathing at sea and for going down to the dock. All without affecting safety all that much, since with all the boats with open sterns and releasable aft drape that sail daily, even in the oceans, it is not as if we have frequent occurrences of “man overboard” caused by the open stern. Also regarding the possible hindrance to the stern-bow passage determined by the low rigging in the case of “side shrouds,” we need to distinguish whether we are talking about small boat 15 mt, in the latter the low rigging is not of any hindrance to the passage. With such a solution, moreover, it is obvious that more importance of “canvas” must be given to the mainsail than to the genoa, which in such solutions frequently is self tacking, with all the advantages that entails. Who is in the right or the wrong? In my opinion, none, as although in the same range as the cruiser, it is only fair for the owner to adapt the model to his or her own purpose needs: type of hull, open or closed stern, rigging (masts, spars and sails), rollbar, davits for the tender, solar batteries, jib or mainsail furler, etc…

A personal example, when you playfully have to lower the sails and turn on the engine, I get bored as hell and usually go to the forward cabin, away from the engine noise, with earplugs in my ears to read a book! Another typical example of a customized boat? While in the 80s I raced two V class IORs and in the 90s sailed the Mediterranean with a Swan 51, my recurring dream of cruiser sailing over 65, was to continue sailing with my wife with the following boat: 10-11 mt max length, enclosed stern, Swedish hull type interior (you know who I am referring to, high mountain cabin type), rigged to ketch and with two bow rollers (maneuvers all simple and at night the mezzanine that doesn’t rock you), davits at the stern x save your back in pulling up the tender or her moped, on the davits mounted solar batteries and radar etc…. Will such a cruiser be well particular? Of course it does but it is perfect for that purpose. In those years I used to photograph the organization of the he and she “seniors” around the world (American, Australian, Northern European flags, etc.) and the choice was almost always forced on that type of boat (can you blame them?). They were safe and serene to the extent that when they arrived in port you would see him doing small maintenance jobs on the boat (e.g., cleaning a winch) while she in the cockpit knitted her sweater for the winter. What skit best renders the image of serenity for those infected by sailing?
Hello and good wind…

Thank you Joseph for the compliments. The “meticulous instrumental investigation and clinical eye” you refer to I have in fact applied them to all the boats I have had as well, giving them all the attention and care they deserve! Those who have had the opportunity to see them and/or sail in them have pointed out such even manic appearance (dry bilge without a crumb or hair, brilliant engine also with clean bilge). Medicine has taught us that it is far better to be safe than sorry, and so it is also true for the boat and the engine in particular. Only if you can easily spot the black dust from belt wear or the first drop of oil falling into its bilge can you prevent unpleasant engine damage and inconvenience. All instruments well maintained and in working order. All boat use maneuvers transcribed in the logbook and, where necessary, photographed and filmed on USB flash drive (lights, navigation instruments, use of refrigerator, toilet pumps, water press, windlass, water heater, terzaruoli, awning, tender motor…..). The appraisals done on mine concluded with “no comment” and “although boats over 10 years old, they seem to be coming out of the yard now.”
Sailboats deserve this!
We will keep in touch for the next salon. Yay for sailing!

Thank you Marco for the compliments. The shipyards have really tried hard to make sure that we can continue to sail without the need for the army to be summoned of big, gymnastic guys at every sea outing (with all the admiration, respect and envy they give me, having also been a competitive sportsman in other times). Today, even alone in the middle of the sea with the autopilot engaged, you can easily handle a 50m-footer that needs a second expert, especially for maneuvering in port.
Good shipyards and thank you that you still allow us to navigate!
We will keep in touch for the next salon. Yay for sailing!

PS. Let everyone get in touch on my email that I will need you soon to do something crazy (antigua race, sailing on a Farr 52 or Swan 60?). We’ll see…..
I embrace you, Vincenzo.”