Salona 37

2007 April 1
By Robert H. Perry

April 2007


Racer-cruiser

The trick with any new production model is to design it so that it appeals to the widest segment of the market. Ideally, this means the line between racer and cruiser becomes blurred and the accommodation plan includes enough options so that the boat's interior will be suitable and adaptable to the biggest number of potential buyers. In short, the designer has to eliminate the "if onlys" at the design stage. This new Salona 37 was designed by J&J Design to meet such criteria.

The heart of this design is that there are four layouts available. You can have three staterooms with one head, two staterooms with two heads and two staterooms with one head. They show a fourth layout but I see only a very small change to the area immediately aft of the V-berth and forward of the hanging locker to make it a bit easier to climb into the berth. This ease of berth access is at the expense of V-berth length, though. From my viewpoint I'd rather have the berth length. If I'm sleepy enough I'll find a way to crawl in. In any of the configurations, it's a lot of interior for a 37-foot boat. The engine is under the companionway with a saildrive.

The hull is beamy with an L/B of 3.13. The D/L is on the low side for this type of boat at 167. You have your choice of three keel options. For sailors wanting to maximize performance you can go with the "sport" keel drawing 7 feet, 6 inches. If you need shoal draft there is a 5-foot, 9-inch keel available. The standard keel draws 6 feet, 6 inches. All three keels have some type of bulb configuration at the tip with very little sweep to the leading edge. The drawings show a rudder with in excess of 20 percent balance. As you would expect the beam is carried aft and the ends are very short. The sections show moderate BWL and no deadrise.

The rig keeps the forestay off the stem with the furler unit buried beneath the deck. The stem fitting is actually located about halfway down the stem. I like the idea that the furler drum is under the deck. This allows the tack of the jib to be right on the deck. You will probably get a longer life out of your furler with it living in this protected area. The mainsheet traveler is on the sole of the cockpit directly in front of the wheel console. This console is a wedge-shaped molding that allows the steering cable to run fair while eliminating one set of idler sheaves. Jib tracks run along the edge of the house and the side decks are clear except for the chainplates. There is a small well forward for the windlass. The cockpit runs clean through to the transom and is wide open aft. You can sail the boat this way and steer from the side deck. Or you can use the removable seat unit, sit directly behind the wheel on centerline and grasp the wheel symmetrically in two hands. I call this the "boat show" position. "Look at me, babe!"

The rig geometry is exactly what you would expect. There are no surprises or innovations here. That's probably a good sign. The SA/D is 20.07. The mast is keel stepped and has double swept spreaders. The sweep angle is about 19 degrees. There is a little bit of roach overlap on the backstay but not enough to hang up in light air. With the mainsheet traveler all the way aft it would be easy to rig a dodger.

With its variety of interior options, all-around good looks and clearly well-thought-out deck arrangement I think this boat would make a versatile cruiser.