New launch highlights from the Düsseldorf boat show
RUPERT HOLMES AND TOBY HODGES REPORT ON MORE DÜSSELDORF HIGHLIGHTS
ELAN GT6
LOA 15.14m 49ft 8in • HULL LENGTH 14.33m 47ft 0in • LWL 13.50m 44ft 3in • BEAM 4.49m 14ft 9in • DRAUGHT (std keel) 2.45m 8ft 4in • DISPLACEMENT 14,327kg 31,586lb • PRICE ex VAT €369,000 • www.elan-yachts.com
This Slovenian builder has a decades long reputation for innovative yachts with a good balance between sailing qualities and accommodation. However, after Elan passed from state ownership to the private sector, the development of new models virtually stopped, aside from the GT5, which launched three years ago. Even that boat is based on the hull of the 2013 Elan 400 (subsequently renamed the
E5), which is a gorgeous boat to sail and has impressive hull volume.
The 49ft (15m) GT6 is therefore a development that will be welcomed by the brand’s many long-standing fans. First impressions are of a design with styling that echoes that of the very best larger yachts and superyachts. Naval architecture is again by Humphreys, while Studio FA Porsche produced the styling for the deck, cockpit and interior in the German company’s first ever involvement with a yacht. Visitors to the show were treated to one of the key sources of inspiration for the GT6 – Elan had an ultra-rare 1973 Porsche 911 RS from the Porsche Museum on its stand, styled by Studio FA Porsche.
Hull shape is exactly what we have come to expect from a Humphreys cruising design and is clearly informed by the firm’s experience with short-handed ocean racing yachts.
“Cruising efficiency is also about performance,” says Rob Humphreys. “[Whether] getting from A to B, or avoiding bad weather, there are lots of benefits of having a fast yacht and I can’t think of any benefits of having a slow boat. People think performance is scary but that’s not the case. We look at the aspects of performance that make life easier and better.”
The interior benefits from Studio FA Porsche’s blend of a minimalistic design approach while embracing the concept of enhancing functionality. For instance, deep, seamanlike fiddles double as secure handholds, and effort has been made to maximise stowage.
The first boat is due to launch this summer and should make its debut at the Cannes Boat Show.
LOA 12.52m 41ft 1in • LWL 11.42m 37ft 6in • BEAM 4.20m 13ft 9in • DRAUGHT 1.85m 6ft 1in • DISPLACEMENT 15,700kg 34,612lb • PRICE ex VAT €399,000 • www.hanseyachtsag.com
“We wanted to squeeze everything in a 50 into a 40,” exclaimed Hanse CEO Dr Jens Gerhardt at the premiere of this 41DS at Düsseldorf Boat Show. No wonder the astonishing volume of Moody’s latest deck saloon involved a three-year project to achieve the right balance.
The result is remarkable, with a lot more usable area than a normal 40-footer, including a variety of social areas and a choice of internal or external watch positions. Designer Bill Dixon showed us over the boat, describing the hull shape as having very good form stability. He has kept it relatively narrow below the waterline, but with plenty of buoyancy above it, and taken volume right out and to each of the straight ends.
The Moody Deck Saloon concept is a real blend of monohull, catamaran and motorboat formats.
Dixon said the walkaround deck with proper bulwark and solid rails came from his cruising experience and wish for a secure deck at heel. And of the foredeck sundeck area, he said: “This is where we cross over with what we’ve been doing in powerboats.”
The coachroof height has been reduced in comparison to the 45DS and the real glass used in the windows helps the view from the aft helms.
The very deep and fully protected cockpit is on the same level as the deck saloon, separated by a sliding patio-style door.
The interior has been finished in a much more modern style than former Moodys. The layout reaps the rewards of sticking to a twocabin format – especially the amount of usable stowage – without anywhere feeling cramped. The owner’s cabin could definitely be found on a 50-footer and the twin or double under the saloon is equally generous.
Visit Yachting World’s Youtube channel and search for Moody 41 DS to see our video tour.
HULL LENGTH 13.4m 44ft 0in • BEAM 4.3m 14ft 0in • DRAUGHT (std keel) 2.5m 8ft 2in • DISPLACEMENT 9,500kg 19,850lb PRICE ex VAT €319,000 • www.grandsoleil.net
With 4,500 yachts built to date, this Italian brand has recently increased capacity to 200 builds a year across its three model ranges. Turnover has also grown sharply, increasing from just €2.5 million in 2014 to €41.5 million last year.
Its latest model is a sporty 44-footer that’s offered in performance cruising and racing formats, both of which benefit from generous interior volumes.
Designer Matteo Polli tested four different hull shapes using CFD (computational fluid dynamics) technology originally developed for the Prada America’s Cup team. The final version offers a good performance to rating ratio for those who want to race, together with a low centre of gravity which also benefits cruisers.
Maximum beam is carried well aft at deck level, but is narrower at the waterline, which reduces drag and suits a single rudder configuration.
Polli also evaluated three different mast positions, finding that maximising the J measurement benefitted both racing and cruising use. This makes the foretriangle sufficiently large for a self-tacking jib to be fitted as standard to the cruising version, and allows for plenty of flexibility for furling staysails, Code sails and asymmetric spinnakers.
The boat is offered in both cruising and racing versions, with the latter having a taller carbon rig, with a race-optimised deck layout and sail plan. In both cases cockpit space is significantly improved compared to earlier models.
Despite a sleek, low-profile coachroof, the extra space outside is achieved without compromising space below decks. The standard arrangement is for three cabins and two heads, both of which have separate shower stalls.
The first boat is scheduled to be at the Cannes boat show in September this year.