PERFORMANCE CRUISERS

NOMINEES: Arcona 435, Grand Soleil 48 Performance, X-yachts X46

Not only was this a very close category from which to decide a winner, but also one that shows just how diverse and exciting the modern range of performance cruiser designs is.

The Grand Soleil, our cover model this month, is a powerful looking design from Marco Lostuzzi, offered in Performance or Race versions. We sailed the latter, which was fully tricked out with carbon extras, including rigging, sails and an extended bowsprit, plus twin backstays, eight winches, transverse jib tracks and a hydraulic ram on the forestay.

Although all the extras nearly double the standard price of the boat, they certainly helped produce a fun sail, allowing us to maximise the 10 knot breeze and clock up to 7, 9 and 11 knots under jib, Code 0 and gennaker respectively. Helming is engaging rather than thrilling, with good feedback and plenty of control from the single rudder. The cockpit is well thought out for manoeuvres. The Nauta interior is light, open, and minimalist, if noisy, yet feels compact for the size and beam of the hull.

The X46 has the modern design touches and styling that will win over buyers at a boat show – from fixtures, fittings and hull lines to its inviting Nordic oak interior.

With its contemporary looks, it’s no surprise this X line is now the biggest seller for the Danish yard. I sailed the X46 with new CEO Kraen Brinck

Nielsen, who considers himself a typical example of the modern X-yachts client: someone who has raced for years but now finds work and family demands mean a performance cruiser is more suited to his needs.

A furler boom option and selftacking jib on the X46, for instance, makes sail handling a doddle. Performance figures were very similar to the Arcona, meaning it slipped along very easily and is simple to sail quickly – we clocked up to 9 knots under cruising chute in 12 knots.

Grand Soleil 48 Performance

A cruiser-racer with a plethora of options. It suits short stays aboard, but in Race guise will predominantly be for racing. Price ex VAT: €415,000

X-yachts X46

An ideal blend of comfort and performance, this X is a brilliant all-round performance cruiser design which offers exciting sailing in a manageable package.

Price ex VAT: €399,000

A close category which shows just how diverse and exciting the modern range of performance cruiser designs is.