ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER
ISLAND PACKET 370
Florida-built Island Packets were constructed to a high specification and supplied with a substantial inventory. Although the 370 has high topsides and a tall coachroof, her pleasant sheer line lends her a wellbalanced look.
Construction was meticulous, using vinylester resin infusion, tri-axial weave glass and Polyclad2 foam, finished with an ultra-high gloss Durashield gelcoat. The hull/ deck join is through-bolted and bonded and she has a full-length shallow keel with encapsulated lead ballast and a deep rudder, connected to the keel at the foot.
A deep companionway descends into a cosy, bright saloon. The table folds away against the main bulkhead, hiding a comprehensive drinks cabinet, and all cabinetry work is top quality.
The settees make good berths, the port side converting to a double by sliding out an extension board. Stowage is plentiful as the 600-litre freshwater tank sits beneath the saloon sole and ventilation is ample through the 11 opening portlights. Her superb galley houses a huge fridge, full-size cooker, microwave, water filter, twin sinks and copious stowage.
The aft quarters contain an offset double berth and a nav station/chart table, with a removable bulkhead panel dividing it from the saloon. The forecabin features a roomy island berth and en suite heads with shower stall.
The cockpit is well organised with wide coamings incorporating rope lockers. The steering pedestal supports a table and a stout grab bar, and a high bridge deck and two 50mm/2in drains prevent water collecting. Under the aft seats are deep stowage lockers.
Her decks are snag-free with shrouds and tracks terminating on the teak-capped bulwarks. On the foredeck are twin rollers and chain lockers.
Her masthead rig is keel-stepped with single, straight spreaders and forward/aft lowers, with single chain plates. The cutterrig model has a self-tacking staysail with boom and a 110% high-cut genoa/yankee.
Although the headsail winches are near the helm, the mainsheet and all other sail controls are on the coachroof.
Under power she has plenty of grunt but like all long-keelers takes her time making directional alterations so a bow thruster is worth having.
MAXI 1100
The Maxi 1100 superseded the 1050, giving improved sailing performance and accommodation. Designed by ex-olympic racing helmsman, Pelle Petterson, she has a fine entry, near-plumb stem, shallow bilge and a retroussé transom.
In addition to being quite quick, Maxis were extremely well built. The 1100 has a carbon-reinforced floor grid that dissipates the rig and keel loads. Above the waterline, hull and deck are a Divinycell foam sandwich, encapsulated in a vinylester resin-infused, multi-weave skin.
A deep fin keel with a 2.4-tonne lead ballast bulb or an extended shoal fin were offered, both with a deep spade rudder.
She has a tall, keel-stepped mast with twin, swept spreaders. Shrouds lead to a single inboard chainplate each side, connected to the hull frame. A gas-sprung kicker and powerful backstay tensioner control the main, which is slab-reefed with lazy jacks.
A deep cockpit sports a big wheel, but the helm area is spacious, with foot supports and flat coaming seats. Sail controls are led aft.
Coachroof-mounted jib tracks keep the sidedecks clear but the handrails are too short. Her foredeck sports a short bow-plank and a deep anchor locker with windlass.
The long, straight saloon settees provide room for six to dine comfortably around the sturdy, well-fiddled table.
Her large aft cabin has a roomy double berth, beneath which are the water tank and batteries. The forecabin is quite spacious too. Under sail she’s fast, stiff and easy to handle, with a light, positive helm. She tacks rapidly and effortlessly, and her large wheel enables the helm to sit out with the mainsheet to hand and a clear view forward.
SUNBEAM 37
Built in Austria by Schochl Yachtbau and designed by J&J to withstand the rigours of the North and Baltic Seas, the centre cockpit Sunbeam 37 was solidly constructed to a high standard, using topquality materials and components. They also featured a comprehensive standard inventory, which included a 55hp Yanmar 4JH3E marine diesel engine and encapsulated lead ballast.
She has timeless looks with a positive sheer and streamline superstructure. All had teak-capped toe rails and many also had full teak decks.
Below, the beautifully crafted, dark mahogany interior gives her a warm atmosphere without being too gloomy. The layout is similar to the Moody 36 and the proportions are equally generous, especially in the aft owner’s cabin where her huge island double berth dominates and the en suite heads are a real boon. The forecabin is equally plush with plenty of stowage but has no en suite. The later 37.1 model had an en suite head to port, in place of one of the tall hanging lockers.
She has a longitudinal galley, running aft along the corridor, that is well-equipped with bags of easily accessible stowage although, like the Moody, the far end is a little dark. The forward-facing nav station has plenty of chart and instrument stowage.
Under sail, she is a powerful performer thanks to her generous sail plan. With her deep, lead-ballasted fin keel and large, semi-balanced rudder she is stiff, quick and easy to manoeuvre, well-balanced and light on the helm.
The Sunbeam 37 tends to hold her price on the used boat market, easily as well as the most popular Swedish-built yachts.