A 2024 Sneak Peak at the Boats Highlighted by Canadian Dealers

By Katherine Stone

We approached a group of Canadian boat dealers and asked them what boat they really love out of the ones highlighted at the US Sailboat Show in Annapolis. So, let‘s look at our “box of chocolates” and enjoy the seven yummiest ones to savour over.

BENETEAU OCEANIS 37.1

As a nominee of the 2023 SAIL Top 10 Best Boats, Marc Lombard Yacht Design used their new design knowledge to create a hull with a definitive chine from bow to stern and broader forward sections. This has improved the boat’s stability when healed with better overall balance. The extra beam resulted in a wider fore-cabin that has been pushed further forward. The longitudinal starboard galley is forward of the heads. The 2-cabin version is standard with an option for three. She still carries the signature twin rudders. One is on order now with a Canadian dealer.

Space is freed up in the back of the cockpit, as the rig has been engineered without a backstay. Both helm seats fold down to provide clear access from the stern. The moulded cockpit table has great handholds and two fold-up leaves. A great maintenance free-up is that the teak can be replaced with multi-ply Iroko-engineered hardwood.

A 12kw electric pod drive with 10kWh of power storage is an option rather than the standard Yanmar.

CATALINA 425

A wonderful all-around cruising boat with no gimmicks just great safety features like a collision bulkhead and a strengthened rudder housing. At 2,000lb lighter than her predecessor, she has moulded toe rails, stanchion bases are through-bolted, and the hull-deck joint is glued for extra security. Stainless steel handrails end at the lifeline gates and handrails follow along the cabin top going forward.

The cockpit is very user-friendly and looks like it belongs on a larger boat. The raised helm seats above the cockpit benches provide better sightlines. The Raymarine MFD swivels for viewing from either wheel. In-mast furling and a self-tacking jib are standard for easy solo sailing.

Although the salon is conventional, the owner’s cabin has a double island bed whose head can be raised to read or have coffee. Boat maintenance is easy with filters grouped together in a locker. The port cabin berth converts from double to single for access to service systems. A worthy winner of the SAIL Best Boat Awards.

FOUNTAINE-PAJOT 51

A nominee for the 2023 SAIL Top 10 Cats, Fountaine-Pajot has had multiple winners of SAIL Best Boat Awards so they must be doing something right. Hulls are built of a high-quality fibreglass/vinyl ester foam and balsa core for exceptional rigidity and strength. The starboard bulkhead helm is raised for a great view of the sails, seeing over the coach roof and either quarter for maneuvering in harbours. Couple this with their two stub keels for less leeway.

To max out the living space, the aft doors, when fully slid back, provide a 10-foot opening with a middle galley island. From the “meridian” chaise lounge you can check the sails through the skylight, see the instruments and use your tablet for remote steering.

With options for a four-cabin and up to six ensuite cabins, there are at least two sources of natural light and open-air ventilation. Most aft cabins have their own companionways – ideal for charters. With three separate lounge areas, you will hardly know that you have any guests.

HANSE 460

Voted 2022 European Yacht of the Year, nominee for Cruising World’s 2023 Boat of the Year and 2023 SAIL Best Top 10, she is definitely a winner. With a sporty, tall rig, it has been radically redefined to provide a well-balanced and extraordinarily stable boat. The full hull chine results in a more powerful hull when heeled and the aft-raked bow reduces pitching in the waves. From the cockpit, you have an unobstructed all-around view. The boat boasts 14 operable deck hatches, 8 opening windows for superb ventilation and a deck free of running rigging.

The galley provides abundant working space and the pull-down bar in the middle of the u-shaped settee is an added practical touch. The large, fixed navigation table is the perfect space for a boat office at anchor. The owner’s king-size bed has easy access from either side and the aft cabins have enough headroom for very tall people. The owner’s head boasts quality materials and a separate shower for your own spa. See the full boat review in our next Canadian Boating issue.

JEANNEAU YACHTS 55

Debuted at the 2023 US Boat Show and a Cruising World 2024 Boat of the Year contender, this Phillipe Briand design has taken a non-traditional approach to life aboard a monohull with a catamaran-like experience. It has a center cockpit with a social area forward and two massive sunbeds flanking the aft deck. It is an unusual configuration that could work well as an owner’s or luxury charter boat.

The hull has a wide beam with a hard chine taken all the way aft. Twin rudders keep the boat stable and under control. The mainsheet is mounted on an arch, keeping the cockpit clear. A furling genoa and jib are affixed to twin forestays and a bow sprit provides a variety of sail options. Another nice touch is the semi-transparent dodger.

Below deck, finishings are to a luxurious standard. The forward owner’s suite uses the full-beam cabin and has a very large head. The two aft guest cabins have their own companionways, large double beds, heads and a small sitting area, providing guests with their own space.

LAGOON 42

This new catamaran has a sleek and curvaceous look that has been slimmed down using an infused, injection-moulded construction to just over 26,000 lbs. Most are being sold to private owners. The mast has been set back to open up the front and allow for more downwind sail choices, which also keeps the weight centred to reduce pitching. Pounding in rough seas has been minimized by the configuration of the underside of the gullwing’s bridge deck.

The helm stations have plenty of room for two people to work and even room for a third person to pass through or stand behind the helm. A centred window cut into the composite top provides a great view of the mainsail. A three-panelled glass door separates the cockpit from the saloon.

All island beds are low and easy to access. With a full owner’s cabin, the head takes up 1/3 of the hull with a huge shower and large hull windows allowing a view of the outside without getting out of bed. There is also a desk which could be used for out-of-office work.

NAUTITECH 44 OPEN

A 2023 winner of both European Yacht of the Year and SAIL Top 10 Boats it is an “ideal” catamaran.  A working party of owners and dealers led Marc Lombard to develop an owner-operator boat rather than for charter with enhanced performance for long vacations on the water and round-the-world sailing.

Key to its success are the twin aft helm stations, upgraded rigging and a narrow waterline to aid in performance and acceleration at the slightest puff of wind. Protected by the rigid Bimini and coach roof windows that extend beyond the sliding bay window it is a true outdoor salon. Designing the salon and cockpit together saves space and weight which is important on a multihull of this size.

Entertaining is enjoyable with the multifunction-raised countertop workspaces and an expanded, double-drawer fridge. The sofa corner is a modular space for children’s naps or night watches. Their SmartRoom® concept is made brilliant by offering a multifunctional space on the starboard forward cabin for a workshop, laundry room or water toy storage.