Heres a category of six boats from 34 to 40 feet that are optimized for speed: bendy rigs, slippery foils below the waterline, and weights kept low. Each of these boats delivers a thrill to those who are drawn to the pure, adrenaline-drenched joy of sailing. They range in price from $100,000 to $270,000 and in length from 34 to 40 feet.
The 34-foot LS-10, built by Soca Yachts in Trinidad, is designed to race in the Tartan 10 class. The Beneteau First 36.7, built in France but about to go into production in South Carolina, is a design collaboration between Bruce Farr and Beneteaus in-house guru, François Chalain. The C&C; 99 is a Tim Jackett-designed 34-footer built in Ohio by Fairport Yachts, which also builds Tartans. The German-built Dehler 36 is designed by Judel & Vrolijk, a team known for its Admirals Cup successes. The Cape Fear 38, designed by Bruce Marek, is being built by a new boatbuiling consortium in North Carolina. And, finally, the Farr 395 is designed by Bruce Farr and built by Carroll Marine in Rhode Island.
The C&C; 99, winner of this category, stood out not only for its stable, fun design and layout, but also for the exceptional value it offered at $120,000. Said one judge, “This is an epoxy-laminate boat, the best resin possible. And for a production boat, this one showed some excellent engineering.”
