Surfari 48

Five years after first announcing the Surfari concept, designer Ted Fontaine has seen the first yacht built to this philosophy – a 48-footer for musician and avid sailor Jimmy Buffett.

The quickest of glances at the photos shows this boat is unlike anything else on the market. “It’s certainly different: that’s what I was trying to do – shake up the sailboat world over here,” says Rhode Island, Usa-based Fontaine. “Everyone was a bit jealous of Peter Johnstone’s Gunboats when he first started building them and I particularly liked the concept of single level living.”

Fontaine was inspired to take this idea into the monohull world, with a boat that would be easier to handle. “One person can do everything on the Surfari,” he says. “Drifter’s captain has sailed her single-handed to the Bahamas twice.”

He believes the Surfari 48, which he dubs a monomaran, will be a game changer thanks to the way in which it incorporates lifestyle features typically found only on catamarans. He points out that catamarans have other drawbacks that can only be addressed with a monohull. For instance, they can be uncomfortable in certain conditions and they take up a lot space, which can make manoeuvring and parking stressful.

“I wasn’t looking to design an oceangoing bluewater cruiser – this is more of a weekend recreational vehicle,” he adds. “It will get you and your family to the places you want to go – including using toys like surfboards and paddleboards – quickly and easily. That’s how most