When I called Reichel-Pugh, I was looking for something a little more specific than that. But I take it that this is a very fast boat that you can race any way you like. There is no mention in the press release of a one-design organization to support this design. The build is by G-Force Yachts in the Netherlands. From my perspective looking at this new design and the Beneteau, we seem to be in an arms race to see who can produce the most high-powered and thrilling ride. Like the name of this boat, X-Treme, these boats are aimed at the extreme end of the sport.

The D/L of this sport boat is 59.63 and that is very light. The L/B is 2.9 and that’s pretty wide. There is a tad bit of overhang aft but I used LOA for my D/L. The sheerline is reversed, meaning it bumps up in the middle but just a bit. I don’t see anything on either the drawings or the renderings to indicate a chine. While the stern is very broad, in order to get crew weight outboard, only one rudder is used but it is very deep and dagger-like and tucked well under the hull. I would sure like to know the reasoning behind that decision rather than using twin rudders. The draft is 8 feet with a T-configured bulb. What I find most interesting about this design is that it goes against the trends of twin rudders and chines.

The interior layout is very basic. There is an exposed head forward across from what looks to be a micro galley. There are port and starboard settee berths aft. That’s it. The engine box is right in the middle of the main cabin area. But as with any extreme type concept, this boat is not designed to be cruised or even slept aboard.

This is a big rig with a SA/D of 37.4, just a bit higher than that of the Beneteau. The spreaders are swept 20 degrees. The mainsheet leads to the cockpit sole just forward of the tiller. The deck is extremely clean and low windage oriented. Short transverse jib tracks allow for very close sheeting angles.

Of course the biggest difference between the Reichel-Pugh sportboat and the new Beneteau is that the Beneteau has foils. These boats are within three feet of each other in LOA. I think it would be fun to see a race between the two new boats. I’d really like to see the speed difference with the foil on the Beneteau up and down versus the Reichel-Pugh design.

LOA 32’8”; Beam 11’3”; Draft 8’; Displ. 4,630 lbs.; Sail area 721 sq. ft.; SA/D 37.4; D/L 59.63; L/B 2.9; Auxiliary Vetus 12-hp; Fuel capacity 10 gal.; Water capacity 26 gal.