Prout Snowgoose 37
1983
Roland and Francis Prout started out building performance catamarans, having joined two canoes together and added a sail in the 1950s. While their early designs exploited the performance potential of multihulls, they soon turned their attention to the larger commercial opportunities offered by the cruising market.
In 1962 the Ranger 27 had already set new standards and their range expanded in the early 1970s with a number of new models, including the original 35ft Snowgoose, which proved to be particularly popular. This was extended to 37ft in 1983 and given a new deck and coachroof, creating the Snowgoose 37. This boat offered significantly more space than the additional two feet of overall length would imply.
A further development in 1986, which added 16in (40cm) of beam improved the accommodation still further. This model, dubbed the Elite, has more spacious double aft cabins in each hull, while a variety of layouts were offered further forward. All benefited from what was at the time huge internal volume and these boats remain some of the most spacious that can be found in their price range.
Shallow keels allow the boat to dry out, but restrict performance to windward. In addition, the low bridgedeck can slam in a head sea, while weight needs to be kept out of the fine ends of the hulls to prevent excess pitching in these conditions.
However, the Snowgoose can make excellent progress when passage making, especially if reaching.
Many of the approximately 500 examples built have cruised long distances successfully, with countless ocean crossings completed.