New Classics kLAAS WIErSMA, C/O ST
EAGLE 36
Mini J with a modern hull Our reviewer went to Holland this year to sail on the Andre Hoek-designed Eagle 36 (and 44) from Leonardo Yachts. “Make no mistake. These are luxury playthings,” was the verdict; but great playthings, with amazing manoeuverability, speed and huge cockpits for daysailing; and “a dizzying expanse of smooth teak” to please the eye and the sole of the foot. These are billed as ‘mini-Js’ and live up the hype. They are wheel- or tiller-steered, foam core sandwich built, with flat underbodies, bulb keels and electric winches. The 44 is more popular, but we found the 36 more attractive. The formula has been a success, with more than 12 Eagle yachts sold. A 54 is in the works. LOA 35ft 1in (10.7m) BeAm 8ft 6in (2.6m) DrAught 3ft 11in (1.2m) Tel: +31 515 230 003, leonardoyachts.com
PEbbLEs 4.2
Unique powerboat
C/O rIVErS And TIdES
LOA 13ft 9in (4.2m) BeAm 5ft 7in (1.7m) DispLAcement 187lb (85kg) uk hscboats.co.uk Tel: +44 (0)1491 578870 roW riversandtides.de Tel: +49 (0)6021 439 5177
C/O VIVIEr
Here’s a unique concept boat, hand-built in lightweight ply/foam sandwich. What you end up with is a speedboat that will seat four but can be carried on a car roof and is capable of 30 knots with just a 30hp outboard motor. We tried out the baby of the range, the 3.4, in CB295 and were seriously impressed by the style, price and utility. “Fast as a jet ski, light as a beach ball, but cooler than either” was our conclusion. This one, the Pebbles 4.2, sounds even better with a bit more space inside, but still weighing in at under 220lb (100kg).
KOALEN 17
Micro yacht in Breton style This is the latest boat from naval architect François Vivier (CB303 and 304), and at just 16ft 9in (5.1m), it’s his smallest cabin yacht yet. The first one was launched this summer by the boatyard run by his son – Icarai in Cherbourg – but the boat is available built or as plans for homebuild. She’s a slightly stretched version of his Ebihen 16, with a long keel and lead ballast. Below there are two full-length berths and stowage for a Porta-Potti. The hull is cold-moulded in plywood planks over a ply lattice. LOA 16ft 9in (5.1m) BeAm 6ft 7in (2m) DrAught 2ft 4in (0.7m) DispLAcement 1,587lb (720kg inc rig and motor) sAiL AreA 194sqft (18m²) BuiLt BOAt €30,500 (£25,500) fuLL kit €15,000 (£12,500) icarai.fr Tel: +33 (0)2 3341 3891. Plans from vivierboats.com CLASSIC BOAT FEBRUARY 2014
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