New Boat: Finngulf 43
When Finngulf decided to create an updated line of performance cruisers, for the first time in the company's history it looked stateside for the design. Farr Yacht Design took on the task, and the first product of the new line is the Finngulf 43, launched in early May.
What Farr came up with is a sleek and speedy looking design. The low cabinhouse and moderate bow overhand keep the boat looking modern. The slight overhang also helps the boat's handicap rating and adds waterline length as the boat heels.
The sleek look of the boat doesn't stop at the waterline. The T-shaped keel sports a large bulb and a relatively flat bottom. Hull No. 1, painted black, looks downright stealthy cutting through the water and if it weren't for the fact that the people sailing it look somewhat comfortable, one might doubt the "cruiser" part of the racer-cruiser label.
The interior offers a lot for a boat that will be banging around a few race courses. The "classic" interior sports an owner's stateroom forward with an en suite head. Double aft cabins and another head make up the back of the boat and an L-shaped galley and separate nav station fill out the area behind large settees.
On deck, twin steering wheels offer the helmsman a good view of the sails, and the open transom adds to the speedster look of the 43. All of the control lines are led to the cockpit.
A tall fractional rig is available in both carbon and aluminum with swept spreaders. Teak decks are a handsome look.
The Finngulf 43 was designed to do well in both IMS and IRC fleets. Several are already on order and the next space available for a reservation pushes out of the factory in October. Odds are you could be seeing a 43 on a race course near you soon. And when the race is over, the Finngulf crew is going to have a great ride home.
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