Yacht of the Week- The Saphire 27
by Lee Mylchreest on 29 Jan 2014
Saphire 27 - performing SW
The Saphire 27 recently won the European Yacht of the Year in the 'Special Yacht' category, announced at BOOT, the Dusseldorf Boat Show. The yachts in these annual awards are sea-tested thoroughly in the months running up to the show by a range of European sailing journalists. The runners-up in this category were: the Django 6.70, and Essence 33, the Malango 8.88 and the Sailart 22.
This was the first time that Saphire had been entered into this prime European award, and, according to the judges it consistently came out on top, no matter the wind conditions. This Swiss trailer-sailer could definitely be called a sports boat, and perfect for a sprightly day's sailing, or even touring a little further than your home waters.
The boat is a compromise for the ambitious sports sailor who still loves to sail with family and friends. The concept is simple and straightforward
Simple handling guarantees a lot of sailing fun alone or with your family and friends. The lifting keel and carbon rig is mean to offer a lot of freedom and independence.
Launching is similar to a motorboat directly set by the trailer, and the mast is laid as on a dinghy. It can be lifted into place with only one pair of hands.
The designers also built the boat with, in mind, the ability to travel from lake to lake or bay to bay, holidaying without the necessity to pay for hotels, as the boat, even though it is a trailer-sailer, is nevertheless suitable for sleeping on.
It is also designed for coastal waters and complies with the CE Normkatergorie 'C'.
All boats are constructed exactly the same and this guarantees the value is retained.
There are options about the engine - either an 'outboard inboard' - very quiet, or you can fully integrate a Torqeedo electric motor under the cockpit and use with a remote control.
Specifications:
Length: 8.0 m
Waterline length: 7.5 m
Width: 2.5 m
Draught: 1.7 m (0.45m)
Weight: 1150 kg
Ballast: 500 kg
Sail area: 44.00 m²
Mainsail: 29.00 m²
Family Mainsail (optional): 25.00 m²
Jib: 15.00 sq.m
Gennaker (optional): 75.00 m²
Code 0 (optional): 35.00 m²
P 9,600 m
E 3,800 m
IG 9,250 m
J 2.950 m
CE certification: C
For more information go to www.saphireboats.com
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/118857
