NAJAD 395 AC
THE TEST VERDICT
For a 40ft yacht she costs a lot. Now, that’s not to say she’s expensive; you get a well-specced, beautifully crafted yacht for your money and I struggled to find anywhere onboard where I could see quality had been compromised in favour of cost. Not even her displacement has been compromised – at 11,750kg, she’s 100kg heavier than the substantial Sirius 40DS, no lightweight herself, and 0.75 tonnes heavier than the centre cockpit Hallberg-rassy 40MKII – compare that to 8,200kg of an equivalent size Bavaria and it’s easy to see she’s been built to be a comfortable home-from-home without compromise. Her displacement gives her a wonderfully solid feel on the water, with no creaks or groans as she marches on. She looks in proportion and purposeful – a surprise given the high topsides; she dwarfs many yachts and looked like a magpie compared to the other chicks in the Najad nest.
WOULD SHE SUIT YOU AND YOUR CREW?
If you’re a couple that want to sail far and wide, with the occasional guests, I’d forego this layout and go for the single aft cabin and all the extra deck stowage that comes with it. This layout works more for an occasional offshore cruiser with more regular guests. She’s a wonderfully built boat that has a commanding feel on the water – few boats can compare. If you’re after a centre cockpit version with a large owners’ aft cabin this is an option too. She can be all things to those who can afford her.
Najad have had a rocky past. The latest restructure could be seen as streamlining or something a little more worrying, but only time will tell. One thing is for sure, there are few production cruisers that can compete with the workmanship and overall quality of Najad – every aspect of her feels solid. From the door handles to the reading lights, she oozes refined opulence and quality. She has a tastefully modern style about her, built with traditional values. In this cost-saving world, quality is usually the first casualty. Thankfully there are still companies where the quality of the product comes first.