One design

This sheerline is as close to flat as you can get without being flat. This has advantages in a smaller boat. By reducing sheer spring you maintain interior volume and headroom under the side decks without adding freeboard overall. You should always keep in mind that a flat sheer, especially on beamy boats, will usually only appear flat in the drawings. In three dimensions the overall shape of the hull will impart its own spring to the sheer, which will be further exaggerated when the boat heels under way.

This hull, like many today, is very short-ended to preserve sailing length. The D/L is 134.5 and the L/B is 3.02, which is beamy, again in keeping with the proportions du jour. The sectional shape shows flat topsides, a moderate BWL, firm bilges and a flattish bottom, although it never goes totally flat. Fore and aft rocker show a little flattening around the keel, which we'll see more of on the next page. Keel and rudder are pretty typical.

For cruising I can imagine a better layout. With its three double berths the boat can sleep six, but I can't see more than three eating at that surfboard of a dining table. Maybe the table will double as an emergency rudder. The nav station looks well designed. A head is included in the forward stateroom. The drawings show the double V-berth in a dotted line, which I would read as meaning this berth is optional.

The rig is fractional with no overlapping headsails and no runners. The spreaders are swept 20 degrees. Masthead and fractional chutes will be carried. The SA/D is 24.84 and the brochure says that this was kept low in the interest of the entry-level nature of the boat. Let me tell you that even at 24.84 this is plenty of rig.

Looking at the cockpit it's clear to me that this design is a racing boat first then a cruising boat. The cockpit has very low coamings and no seats at all. The helmsman can sit outboard on the side decks aft of the coamings. The transom is open and there is a toe-grab type of rib down the middle of the cockpit sole to help with footing. You won't snuggle up in a corner of this cockpit with a book. The crew on this boat belongs on the rail. Most of my cruising boat clients would say, "Pardon me? You want me to sit where?"
This will be a fast little boat designed to shine in fast company. The pedigree is all there for a family wanting to start competing. One-design rules are already in place.

The passing of time isn't always fun to watch. We lost Mark Soverel last month. I didn't know Mark but I knew his boats. They were different and they were always fast. The Soverel 33, for example, is a light and lithe speedster. Who knows, maybe tonight Mark will be drinking heavenly single malts with Gary Mull. Sounds good to me.

An 'entry-level' hot rod from Down Under.