USED Classic Boat. 5 cult boats, masters of elegance (8-15 meters)

The landscape relating to Classic Bo ats-that is, production boats over twenty-five years old and launched since 1967-is a vast and ever-expanding one, made up of hulls of all shapes and sizes and, perhaps, not as easily “navigable” as one would often like. In light of this, in addition to our sections on Historic Classic Boats and Your Classic Boats, we have created a series of articles, aimed, boatyard by boatyard, or icon by icon, at exploring some exceptional hulls, projects fundamental to the evolution of boating. Building on the wave of more than 25 previous articles (which you will find at the bottom of this one), it is now the turn of 5 champion boats of elegance, iconic hulls absolutely to be known. Here, then, are 5 lessons of ‘Class,’ exceptional boats that have marked Mediterranean sailing and beyond.

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5 ‘Masters of Elegance’ from 8 to 15 meters

From the unimpeachable hand of Harry Hallberg, before Hallberg Rassy even existed, to the genius of Bill Tripp, admirably expressed of his Columbia 50-footer, these 5 hulls exude class and style from their every pore. Whether it’s the little P-28, the 45-footer signed Sparkman & Stephens or Gary Mull’s American Ranger, rest assured, these boats are ready to turn heads, in any marina, roadstead or harbor you find yourself in.

HALLBERG P-28

specifications: “Hallberg Rassy”; 8.61 x 2.36 m; 1955(1967); Harry Hallberg

Slightly earlier than the date we set to define a Classic Boat (1967), it enters by exception to confirm the rule. For the P-28 is simply a gem. Today, a dream weekender, it is as peculiar as it is interesting. The P-28, in fact, was born in wood back in 1955, designed and manufactured by Harry Hallberg. The latter, an ingenious and pioneering mind, converted the design and production in 1967, giving birth to the fiberglass series. Thus was born a fast and durable hull, so faultless that it is now a cult boat of Scandinavian shipbuilding. For that matter, as many as 539 were built. A jewel to say the least.

COUNTY 32

specifications: Jeremy Rogers Ltd.; 9.75 x 2.98 m; 1972; David Sadler

The Contessa 32 takes on one of Britain’s greatest cult designs, one of the best-selling British designs ever: as many as 800 were produced. And on closer inspection. The lines are classic, the build quality is very high, and the seaworthiness qualities unimpeachable. What emerges, in a nutshell, is a cruising hull prized among cruising enthusiasts and others. It is not surprising, then, that more than 50 years after the first launch, it is still in production…

RANGER 37

specifications: Ranger Yachts; 11.28 x 3.45 m; 1972; Gary Mull

Not many U.S. shipyards produced mass-produced, fiberglass boats of a certain standard (read, top) in the 1970s. Among them, undoubtedly, however, is Ranger Yachts, which in 1972 launched the first example of an impeccable series. It is the Ranger 37, a hull conceived by then rising star Gary Mull, touched here by a holy hand. An incredible, elegant and fast hull was born, ready to become a resounding success: more than 100 examples produced and the prestigious victory in the SORC regattas in Florida… a cult Made in USA.

FREYA 45

specifications: Benello; 13.31 x 3.76 m; 1968; Sparkman & Stephens

It is 1968 and fiberglass production is in its infancy. In France, the Arpege is depopulated, and over here, Benello is instead thinking big. Really big, given the era. Giving him what he seeks, the archistars of the time: Sparkman & Stephens. Thus was born a miniseries, five examples just barely, but absolutely sensational. They are the Freya 45, iconic First Class IORs. Today, simply, a cult.

COLUMBIA 50

specifications: Columbia Yachts; 15.24 x 3.67 m; 1965; Bill Tripp

A whiff pre-1967, but it already has all the hallmarks of what is to come. After all, the pairing is legendary: Bill Tripp and Columbia Yachts. The year is 1965 and a legend of overseas shipbuilding comes to light: the Columbia 50, among the first designs in history to adopt fiberglass construction in large series. It is a hull that, speaking out of the teeth, was born for the elite. Nothing more, nothing less. It is the boat for the grand lords of the time, for those who, for pleasure, race or sail past the legendary shores of Rhode Island. And because of that, not only is she elegant, but she is also a missile in class. Not for nothing, they built as many as 65 of them….

USATO Classic Boat. Cinque piccole-grandi icone mediterranee (da 7 a 9 m)

Don’t miss previous articles:

• USED Classic Boat. ALPA ‘s top five boats from 9.5 to 12.6 m
• USED Classic Boat.
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• USED Classic Boat. The five best BARBERIS boats from 7 to 12.5 m
• USED Classic Boat. BAVARIA ‘s five best boats from 9.9 to 13.4 meters
• USED Classic Boat. BENETEAU ‘s five best boats (First) from 9.6 to 15.6 meters
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• USED Classic Boat. The five best boats from the PARDO Dockyard (10- 19 m).
• USED Classic Boat. The five best boats from HALLBERG RASSY (9.4-16.4 m)
• USED Classic Boat. Top Five J/Boats (7-12.5 m)
• USED Classic Boat. Jeanneau ‘s five best boats (Sun Odyssey) (7-15 m)
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