USED CLASSIC BOAT | 5 performance-cruiser 80s still outstanding today (12-16 m)

The landscape relating to Classic Boats-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 the Classic Boat Club and our informational sections, we have created a series of articles, aimed, yard by yard, or intended use by intended use, at exploring some exceptional hulls, key projects in the evolution of boating. In this 35th episode we will look at 5 performance cruisers that, to this day, know how to turn out to be hulls that are absolutely not to be underestimated. In fact.

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5 80s performance-cruisers still outstanding today

There’s little you can do about it-if you want a terrace on the sea instead of a cockpit, exorbitant beams, and a lean-to, forget the next few lines. If, on the other hand, you accept the compromise, and you don’t disdain a boat that, even in rough seas, can be comfortable and welcome you every step of the way, lo and behold, these 5 performance cruisers from the 1980s may be just for you. Powerful on the waves, capable of breaking through them and offering you shelter, cozy and protected below deck, these hulls are top of the line for cruising, even when the going gets tough. Then, if you would also like to try your hand between the buoys, it is not certain that they do not hide their aces up their sleeves… After all, if you see quite a few of them racing offshore, there must be a reason…

GRAND SOLEIL 39

specs: Pardo Shipyard; 12.5 x 3.76 m; 1983; Alain Jezequel

When it was unveiled, it did not take long for it to be immediately dubbed as the “Spaghetti Swan,” in reference to the Italian-style western genre of the time. But it was not out of malice. A little, sure, the Finnish yard’s similar coloring wanted a role of its own, but, mainly, it was the result that Cantiere del Pardo and Jezequel achieved in signing this lady boat together. The Grand Soleil 39 was in fact an under-appreciated dipo hull, not only in terms of lines, but also in terms of quality and workmanship. At the time, a good demonstration of how well even the Italians were able to make “premium” boats. Capable of good pace, powerful in lines and cozy below deck, it was and remains an unassailable quality boat. Not to be underestimated today if one is looking for a classic hull with which to sail even “seriously”.

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• Learn more about the GS39, its value and the yard’s production

COMET 12

specifications: Comar; 12.63 x 3.90 m; 1985; Andrea Vallicelli

Vallicelli, in the mid-1980s, was undoubtedly the all-Italian star of sailing. After the successes of Brava, Filo da Torcere and the Azzurra adventure, he brought out another gem in 1985. In this case, for Comar and for the series. It was the Comet 12, an exceptional cruiser. Conceived as a cruising hull, with all the accoutrements that this provided, this 12 .6-meter turned out, in fact, to be not only excellent in this role, but also more than eager to race. Below the waterline, in fact, the firm knew how best to condense its experience in the racing world, resulting in a performance-cruiser of admirable workmanship. Today, it can make quite a few aficionados of the genre envious.

• Learn more about the Comet 12, its value and the yard’s production

BALTIC 42

specs: Baltic Yachts; 12.78 x 4.06 m; 1981; Doug Peterson

In the early 1980s a new pen enters Baltic. It is the talented Doug Peterson who, immediately, signs a masterpiece worth no less than 30 examples produced. It is the legendary Baltic 42, a boat not only beautiful and streamlined, but also exceptional in racing. Proverbially Baltic, below deck she is a miracle of quality and refinement, attentive to the needs of sailing in all her furnishings, designed to be not only pleasing but also suitable for enjoyment in any context. Powerful, fast and well-sailed, she is a boat that tackles any condition, whether conservatively, should one wish to enjoy cruising relaxation, or pushing, to chase the offshore horizon. Then, with that cockpit, there is certainly no shortage of space.

• Learn more about the Baltic 42, its value and the yard’s production

SWAN 46

specifications: Nautor Swan; 14.35 x 4.40 m; 1983; German Frers

The fact that a 46-footer from the early 1980s reached and exceeded 100 produced speaks volumes. If it is also a Swan…For the rest, however, Frers’ ’46, is a jewel. It is indeed a lady boat, very elegant outside, comfortable inside, and fast and safe in all conditions. Strong in clean, streamlined lines, she was immediately appreciated, setting new standards for comfort and elegance, as, for that matter, as for performance and marine qualities. A gem of the Nautor/Frers duo, revisited later in the 90′ as the Swan 46 MKii. Valuable to this day,

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• Learn more about the Swan 46, its value and the shipyard’s production

FIRST 51

specifications: Beneteau; 15.63 x 4.55 m; 1987; German Frers

German Frers pays a visit to Beneteau and signs a masterpiece. Without a doubt, one of the yard’s best boats for that decade. It is the First 51, the hull with which Beneteau proves to all that it knows how to do things as quality commands. Derived from a racing prototype, the Argentine’s 51-footer is impeccable, a hull at once elegant and fast, not to mention cozy: the maximum beam is exaggerated, a full 4.55 meters, and the volumes above and below deck are almost unusual for the time. Outstanding boat by a Frers in a state of grace.

• Learn more about the First 51, its value and the yard’s production

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