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Windy is a brand of boats that was started by Hugo Vold in 1966. The brand has been making its stellar boats for more than five decades! What fueled the drive and passion for the creation of Windy was to be able to create boats that were seaworthy, reliable, and high quality. The brand has ... Read More

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The most boat for your money? Bavaria C38 yacht test

• Theo Stocker
• April 26, 2021

Competition is hot for high-volume cruisers, but have Bavaria built a boat that is fun to sail as well as spacious and affordable? Theo Stocker took her for a spin to find out

Product Overview

Bavaria c38.

• Fun and engaging to sail
• Vast amounts of space
• A lot of boat for your money
• Limited stowage in 3-cabin version
• Mainsheet lacked power
• Some exposed systems in lockers

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

A job worth doing is worth doing properly, so the saying goes. There’s no doubt that Bavaria have committed wholeheartedly to the concept behind their new C38 and the result is a boat fully confident in its identity. That’s a good job, given the level of competition the C38 will be up against in the 37-38ft production cruiser market.

This boat aims to do three things: create the absolute maximum amount of space on deck and below from the available waterline length; be enjoyable and engaging to sail, if not a race boat; and give a potential buyer the maximum bang for their buck. In practice, the design has added significant volume in both the bow and the stern, introduced a deeper, rounder forefoot to reduce slamming, and has deepened the single rudder, which, coupled with the bow thruster, should give plenty of control in harbour and underway.

A first look at the boat reveals a few significant details. Firstly, her waterline takes up almost her entire length, with virtually no overhangs at the ends. Then there are the chines. This is only the second Bavaria to have hull chines, and they are used to take the significant beam, which is carried all the way aft, down to the water, creating more volume in the aft cabins, as well as providing power to the hull form. Next, there’s the huge bluff bow and vertical stem, again multiplying the volume in the forward cabin. Pretty it might not be, but there’s a certain purposeful muscularity to it.

Bavaria Yachts, the company, gained new owners in 2018, and they’ve been quick to make a fresh start, starting with a plan to update the entire range. Having moved from design house J&J to Cossutti Design, the C38 is the latest, smallest boat in the new lineup. The strongly chined hull shape makes a bold statement about that new direction. I was keen to see how this added up on the water.

TEST VERDICT

If you looked at this yacht and thought the vast volume would make her a poor sailer, you would be mistaken. I was very pleasantly surprised at how much fun we had sailing her. The feel on the helm was direct, responsive and engaging; this boat is fun to sail. She wasn’t twitchy even when overpressed and gave plenty of warning before the rudder started to lose grip. This boat reminds you of why a single rudder makes sense, and is deep enough that she has plenty of grip even when heeled, which is the main reason wide-sterned boats have twin rudders. The benefits when handling in harbour are huge, given that manoeuvring and mooring is the most stressful part of any cruise for most owners.

Granted, the mainsheet purchase needs a bit of improvement, but if I were buying this boat, I’d go for the more easily handled furling main and self-tacking jib, with the Code Zero for the extra sail area to keep the boat moving off the wind. This would seem to fit with the ethos of simple and fun sailing that this boat ascribes to.

WOULD SHE SUIT YOU AND YOUR CREW?

I’d imagine this boat will prove popular with sailing schools and charter companies, but if you’re after maximum boat for your buck for family coastal cruising, this is definitely worth a look too.

The idea of having three king-sized beds on what is really a 36-foot hull is staggering. You’d have to weigh up whether you want an ensuite owner’s head enough to sacrifice some of this bed space in the forward cabin, but given the layout options, there seems little reason to go for the two-cabin rather than three-cabin layout. If you’re not using the third you could still use it for the stowage you’d be missing out on.

Given the price point of this boat, the quality of finish was really very good, and the resurrected Bavaria has upped its game several notches. Arguably, the C38 could now be the boat to beat in this size sector and you’ll struggle to get more new boat for your money than this.

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5 Yacht Tests in 9 Minutes

• By Yachting Staff
• Updated: April 24, 2017

Yachting has had the opportunity to test a wide variety of yachts. Whether it’s a yacht tender, 40-foot flybridge or a 75-foot motoryacht, we can’t get enough of taking yachts out for a spin.

The Schaefer 640

Our take: The Schaefer 640 is a versatile, seaworthy platform for entertaining and cruising.

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The Horizon E75

Our take: If you’re looking for a boat that is both seaworthy and designed for entertaining, look no further than Horizon’s E75 .

The Maritimo M64 (Formerly M61)

Our take: The Maritimo M64 was built for safe, comfortable, long-distance voyages.

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↓  New video about Saare 41.2 here at the bottom of the page ↓

After the great success of the Saare 38.2, which was presented as a special 2-person yacht at the Boot in Düsseldorf in 2019, the Saare 41.2 will follow in 2023.

The Saare 38.2 thrilled many sailors and customers, as well as the specialist audience and the press. The praise and comments were overwhelming and interest was high right from the start.

Never before have the demands of a two-person crew or a single-handed sailor been implemented so consistently and demandingly. The development of this concept was based on the observations of the Saare development team and took place in close consultation with the first clients.

Customer inquiries and our own considerations have led to the great Saare 41ac being further developed in this direction and rebuilt as the Saare 41.2.

By the way, Addition 2 does not apply as Version 2 or Mark 2 or something similar, as is often the case with other shipyards, but is a clear indication of the optimal crew size on board. As the Saare 41.2, probably the best cruising yacht for 2 people.

During an intensive test season with our Saare 41ac in the summer of 2022, some new developments were tried out in practice and optimized a bit. Now the Saare 41.2 is coming onto the market as, on the one hand, a very tried and tested yacht with first-class, safe and uncomplicated sailing and maneuvering properties and, on the other hand, as a further developed, extremely contemporary and innovative yacht.

Everything is available for a demanding 2-person crew. The owner’s cabin in the foredeck is very spacious, offers a huge bunk and lots of closet and storage space. The saloon is cozy and practical in port and at sea. The sofa berths can be used excellently as sea berths.

A classic card table is available and the large pantry leaves nothing to be desired. The wet room next to the companionway offers space for a toilet (installed lengthwise and can therefore also be used at sea), a large washbasin with a wall cupboard and a comfortable, separable shower area.

The Saare 41.2 is particularly impressive because of its many, very large and perfectly usable storage spaces. On deck there is a large sail storage space in the foredeck aft of the anchor locker. Closed with a waterproof hatch, you can store 3 to 4 sails, a dinghy or bicycles here. There is a special storage space on the transom for the liferaft (optional), as well as 2 stern lockers. There are 2 shallow lockers in the cockpit for the usual mooring line needs. The special highlight are the two large, walk-in storage spaces in the rear part of the yacht. The room on the starboard side is accessed through the shower. From here, many technical units, the electrical system, the autopilot drive, the on-board heater, charger and inverter, etc. are easily accessible.

Aft of the pantry, the second large storage space offers a shelf with storage boxes and plenty of space for other things such as an oilskin cupboard, a freezer box and other individual solutions.

No two Saar yachts are the same. We offer many different options and variants. Our customers very often have very special wishes and ideas, which we then implement individually for them. The following photos also show the implementation of optional and very personal wishes and special equipment.

The high-quality construction, using exclusively vinyl ester resin for the hull and deck, the vacuum infusion process and the first-class wooden interior are well known. Only the best components from the respective world market leaders for the rig, fittings, engine and navigation electronics are used on the Saare yachts. The lead keel is a quality feature that is rarely seen anymore and the extremely solid floor assembly, which extends into the deep bilge, is something unique in this form.

On deck, the new Saare 41.2 has some special features that make life on board much easier, even for single-handed sailors or older crews. A central halyard winch is electrified as standard and also helps with setting and reefing the mainsail.

The new Saare 41.2 offers a very comfortable owner’s cabin in the foredeck. The very large double berth (length 2.10 m, 2.25 m wide aft and 1.20 m wide at the bow) is equipped with a particularly good Flexima Nautic mattress (18 cm thick). There is plenty of cupboards and storage space, as well as storage space under the bunk.

2 deck hatches and 2 windows in the superstructure as well as 2 hull windows allow light and air into the interior.

The side paneling can be covered with vinyl-covered, white surfaces or made with solid wooden strips as a path. In both cases, the cladding insulates and is ventilated.

The interior is usually made of fine Khaya mahogany or light European oak (grained horizontally or vertically).

The new Saare 41.2 also offers a real card table. The sofa berths can also be used as real sea berths. There are water and diesel tanks under the sofas. Amidships, deep down, is the best place for the tanks.

The table is available in different versions, with two folding side wings or as a modern folding table with or without an additional cool box.

If desired, a retractable television can be installed behind the backrest on the starboard side.

The already excellent wet room with a large, separable shower area has been revised and now offers even more comfort.

On the port side you can access the large storage space through a door next to the galley. There are various expansion options with storage boxes, a heated oilskin cabinet or large storage cupboards. Optionally, a guest cabin with a double berth can also be installed in this area.

The new floor covering in the cabins is visually beautiful and, above all, very practical. The design floor is non-slip, scratch-resistant, hard-wearing and long-lasting. It is harmless to the environment and health and is also suitable for humid environments.

We offer different decors to match the types of wood and upholstery used.

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YACHT-Test-Spezial : Die 100 wichtigsten Segelboote im YACHT-Check

YACHT-Redaktion

 ·  04.12.2021

Mit dieser Sonder-Edition der YACHT erhalten Sie ein Kompendium, das seinesgleichen sucht. Das Magazin bündelt Kompakttests von 100 ausgesuchten Booten, die auf dem Markt erhältlich sind.

Sie sind das Destillat aus den großen YACHT-Tests und um aktuelle Berichte bereichert, die in der Haupt-Ausgabe erst noch folgen werden. Das gilt für so wichtige Yachten wie Jeanneaus Sun Odyssey 380, die Oceanis 34.1 von Beneteau, die Hanse 460 und die Dufour 32.

Die vorliegende Auswahl richtet sich nicht nach der Größe von Werft oder Stückzahl, sondern repräsentiert einen Querschnitt des Marktes. Wir haben die Sammlung aufgeteilt in Fahrtenyachten, Kleinkreuzer, Performance-Cruiser, Daysailer, Multihulls und Luxusyachten. Jedes der hier vorgestellten Boote ist von uns gesegelt, begutachtet und beurteilt worden, alle Fotos stammen von YACHT-Fotografen. Auf Werftaussagen und -abbildungen haben wir wie immer verzichtet.

Mit diesem Sammelband, dem weitere zu unterschiedlichen Themen folgen werden, bündeln Sie in Ihrem Bücherschapp geballtes Wissen, Daten und Bewertungen für eine gute Übersicht. Wer weitere Informationen, Pläne und Fotos wünscht, kommt mit dem QR-Code, der bei den technischen Daten abgedruckt ist, schnell zum großen YACHT-Test. Einfach mit dem Mobiltelefon scannen, und nach ein paar Klicks sind Sie in der größten Datenbank zum Thema Bootstests gelandet, dem Archiv der YACHT, das Abonnenten kostenfrei zur Verfügung steht.

Die Sonderedition „100 Yachten“ kann hier bestellt werden (bitte klicken)

Meistgelesen in der Rubrik Magazin

How to sea trial a boat: Professional boat testers share their top tips

• October 14, 2020

How do you know which yacht is right for you? Will Bruton gets expert advice from sailors who test drive boats for a living…

Yacht brokers don’t really sell boats, they sell dreams. To buy any sailing yacht requires a leap of faith: a conviction that the winds will blow in our favour, and that the places we voyage to will be better than the places we leave behind (or at the very least, that the experience of sailing there will be better than staying put).

No matter how hard-headed you plan to be about a yacht purchase, it’s easy to get distracted. At boat shows an overdose of polished chrome or fancy systems can overwhelm sense and reason. Sales patter can paint a picture of idyllic sailing experiences that are not, in fact, how you actually spend and enjoy your time on the water.

With so many different designs on the market, making the right choice is far from easy. What’s more, few of us get to regularly sail a really wide selection of yachts. Even when we do test sail a boat we’re considering buying, time on board is often limited. So how best to use that time wisely, and to work out what is really important?

Cockpit protection and the ability to trim and reef easily will be prime considerations for many who want to cruise offshore. Photo: Richard Langdon

We asked boat testers, who compare and trial dozens of different yachts all year round, for their tricks of the trade to help find the boat that best matches your needs.

Yachting World ’s Toby Hodges has tested hundreds of yachts for these pages, viewed many more at shows and has sat on the European Yacht of the Year judging panel for the last decade. He stresses the importance of getting to know the yachts on your shortlist as thoroughly as possible, to understand the real, or standard, boat and not just the boat show model.

“Use any resources available such as videos, virtual visits and boat test reports – compare specs and numbers, always conduct viewings, and take trial sails if at all possible,” he says.

Article continues below…

43 of the best bluewater sailboat designs of all time

Which yacht is the best for bluewater boating? This question generates even more debate among sailors than questions about what’s…

How to pick your ideal bluewater yacht: ARC director explains all

I often chat with prospective bluewater cruisers at boat shows and seminars and am frequently asked: “What is the ideal…

“Try to visualise what your own reality will be like on board from the beginning. It’s almost impossible to replicate the sailing you’ll be doing, even with an extended test sail, so it’s important to mentally separate yourself from the artificial sales environment and focus: what would life be like day to day on this boat at sea? Be honest with yourself about your plans for the boat and realistic about whether it really does meet your needs.”

Do your homework

Hugely experienced sailing journalist and Yachting World tester Matthew Sheahan has test sailed more than 1,000 boats over the course of a 24-year career. He highlights how much doing serious preparation can influence your boat buying experience. “If you meet [the sales agent/broker] equipped with knowledge of the product, you will be taken seriously.

“Sadly, while agents are sometimes lambasted, they have to deal with a lot of tyre kickers that are far from serious, and with limited resources to demonstrate their product adequately. They are far more likely to arrange a test sail or factory visit if they can see you are comparing a list of contenders from the start that you have thought about.”

Photo: Paul Wyeth

Norwegian journalist Axel Nissen-Lie, who is editor of SEILmagasinet and also a regular judge for the European Yacht of the Year awards, believes how you start your search is critical. “Establish your ‘musts’ before you begin. Agents selling boats want it to be an emotional process, so establish your priorities to keep that emotion in check!

“Data can be really useful to determine a baseline criteria for the boat you are seeking. Then, when you come to test sails, you can compare against this. Does the yacht meet your minimum passage speed? Is the draught realistic for everywhere you plan to explore? Is the tankage really suitable for long term cruising? These are the kind of numbers that will stop you buying a boat that isn’t capable of the sailing you have in mind.”

Nissen-Lie also believes prospective buyers shouldn’t shy away from looking at market depreciation, whether buying new or used. “There’s been a trend in recent years of manufacturers appealing to a genuine, if misguided, customer demand for ‘more boat for the money’. A quick look at the residuals will reveal just how much cheap big boats plummet in the first three years of ownership, whilst their smaller, seemingly more expensive quality counterparts often retain value and for longer.

A factory tour can provide far more information than can be gleaned from marketing materials. Photo: Richard Langdon

“Of course, all boats lose a lot of value as soon as they hit the water. After looking at initial depreciation over three years, compare values at the 10-12 year mark as well. That’s when the yacht will really be starting to show how it stands the test of time.” If you are considering a new-build yacht, a factory tour can give you an opportunity to learn more than you’d ever glean from marketing materials.

“If you are offered a factory tour, take it,” advises Toby Hodges. “The time, effort and expense of travelling there will be well worth it and you’re likely to see parts of the yacht you would never normally have access to, while also getting a real grasp of what the yard that builds it is all about. There are big differences in how yards approach a build and some inspire more confidence than others.”

At every stage, dig into the detail. “Asking questions, perhaps some difficult ones, will reveal a lot about the substance of the boats they sell,” says Matthew Sheahan. “Can you see a relative stability curve to see how stable the boat is? How is the hull constructed? Can they show you how easy it is to get to the skin fittings? These are questions that start to open up what the boat is really like.”

A factory visit also allows you to see the fittings and structure you may not be able to access on a finished boat. Photo: Paul Wyeth

Build a relationship

John Rodriguez is now a well-known broker specialising in bluewater yachts , but started out in yachting as a first-time buyer, looking for a boat to take he and his wife, Nicola, around the world. He freely admits that, at the start, they knew very little. “Until we met other cruisers I became convinced our boat was cursed… it kept going wrong!”

Today he uses this experience to help his clients, many of whom are planning similar adventures. He has also been the chairman of the Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents, and has strong views about what customers should expect from a good broker.

“Because we specialise in bluewater, I never think of myself as a salesman, partly because it’s not a strategy that gets results. You should expect guidance from the broker and a depth of knowledge you can draw on from day one. If they’re pushing a particular boat really hard, that’s a bad sign,” says Rodriguez.

Evaluate cockpit size, practicality and comfort based on your needs – what features make the yacht suitable for you day-to-day?  Photo: Paul Wyeth

“People come to me and often that initial conversation will be around viewing a boat that I just know isn’t right for what they want to do, but that can be a starting point as they learn what is suitable over time.

“My biggest advice to customers starting out on their search is to read as much as possible. Books on bluewater sailing , blogs and owners’ experiences of particular boats can be absolutely invaluable. Over time your broker should be getting a feel for you, your plans and what you really need.

“Also, don’t rule out refit. A good broker will find boats that don’t meet your needs currently, but would with a quality refit . A good broker will also know the people to make that process far less daunting, which ultimately opens up your search to far more yachts in total.”

An early sea trial of a new Italia 13.98. Photo: Paul Wyeth

How to test drive a yacht

On the water, a yacht’s true nature will out. It’s here that a creaky interior, carelessly positioned winch or uncomfortable helming position will become clear. But most test sails are time limited, so how best to make the most of it?

“A test sail is an unrivalled opportunity to see a yacht in its real-world environment, on the water. It is crucial to make this time count, ensuring it works for you, not just the agent selling the yacht,” explains Toby Hodges.

A test sail is still a long way from the reality of owning the boat and living aboard, so a lot of it is about visualising what life aboard would be like. Put the boat through its sailing paces, certainly, but don’t let that be all you evaluate.

Think about maintenance and problem solving: how you might you access and service machinery? Ask if changes can be made to suit your needs. Photo: Paul Wyeth

“When we test for Yachting World , we will go overnight if at all possible, to cook and sleep aboard. That helps to really get a deeper impression, but if you can’t do that, you can visualise.

Walk around the cockpit, deck and interior while out on trial. How practical is the layout?

“Would this shower compartment be large enough for everyday use? Is there enough stowage space in the galley? How noisy is it in the cabins? Bringing someone along with you that you sail with a lot can help to talk through the boat candidly.”

Test sails are provided by the agent, but all the testers we spoke to emphasised the need to try and shut out the sales pitch.

Cockpit practicalities

Test sails are something you should look to do early in your boat search rather than later, yet most people leave it until they are really serious about a type of boat. Sail several yachts and don’t be afraid to negotiate with the agent to get as much time as possible. A shared test sail for a couple of hours with several others immediately after the boat show isn’t going to give you the time and space to feel how the boat might be with just you on board.

The sailing experience is important, but try to see beyond the fun factor. Professional IMOCA 60 racer and RYA Yachtmaster examiner Pip Hare also tests for Yachting World . While naturally interested in all aspects of boat performance as an offshore racer, it’s the relationship between the sailor and yacht that stands out to her most when testing boats.

Get the boat sailing hard to windward, then go below and walk around, advises Pip Hare

“When you go for a test sail, do every job possible in the cockpit to see how it works in practice, or doesn’t. Can you get from the wheel to the sheets, or is there too much in the way? Particularly if you’re sailing with inexperienced crew, it’s something to consider. Good positioning of winches, jammers and sheets can make a huge difference. Also, are they sufficiently powerful for the job they have to do?

“Below decks, test usability by getting the boat sailing hard to windward. Go below and walk from one end of the boat to the other. How hard is it to move around? Are there enough handholds? Does that spacious saloon suddenly become dangerous because of how beamy it is?”

Matt Sheahan agrees: “A boat that’s physically comfortable on deck will be mentally comfortable. What I mean by that is: if you can’t get to the mainsheet from the helm, you can’t depower the main quickly, so it can make you anxious. Good boats are designed around ease of sailing and logical design.”

If you are equipped with knowledge of the product you’ll be taken seriously, says Matt Sheahan

Pip is positive about modern boat design, but occasionally sails boats that fail fundamentally. “Occasionally you’ll come across yachts, even monohulls, where sailing comes second to marina comfort. In one case I was initially impressed by a beautifully clean cockpit with all lines leading to two winches close to the helm.

“The trouble was, no one had thought about where all the lines go, so when you actually went sailing you were left with a huge mass of lines with nowhere to put them. That’s never going to work.”

To try to find a boat’s flaws. US boat tester and former editor of Sail magazine, Peter Neilsen, believes you shouldn’t aim for everything to go really smoothly on a test sail.

“It’s tempting to just go through the usual manoeuvres of tacking, gybing, and so on, seeing how well the boat goes on various points of sail, how easy it is to balance the sail plan,” he says. “But why not try stopping the boat: let the sheets fly and see what she does. How does she lie to the wind?

“Find out how well she heaves to and, indeed, if she will heave to. Spin in a circle without touching the sheets to see how easy it is to get out of irons; try to sail under mainsail or genoa alone. Under power, find something you can back up to, to see how she steers going astern. Bring her up to cruising speed then let the wheel go, and see if she dives off in one direction or another.”

Eyes wide open

It’s clear, then, that you should approach buying a boat with eyes wide open. Be realistic about identifying the type of sailing you do – or want to do – and draw up a list of your absolute necessities. Think about your priorities in the short and longer term. The more comprehensive your list, the better the chance you’ll find the boat that fits your needs. Some may find it helpful to rank or score their criteria to help make the decision.

It’s easy to be seduced by the helming experience, but try and sample as many jobs and manoeuvres aboard as possible. Photo: Paul Wyeth

Use this to draw up a shortlist of suitable boats, and as a means of rejecting ones that will be unsuitable – but don’t rule out a refit, or ask if something can be altered.

Crawl over yachts at boat shows, but always push for a test sail for a yacht you are considering. And once you get aboard, try to visualise how this particular boat will serve you in the real world. It may be then that you find a yacht you have a real connection with.

Charter first

Chartering a boat that’s the same as, or similar to, one you’re thinking of buying is the best way to establish if it’s really for you. “Ask the manufacturer’s agent or broker if there is scope to charter the boat or a similar model,” advises Toby Hodges.

Chartering a multihull is a good way to find out if you’d enjoy owning one. Photo: Pawel Toczynsky / Getty

“In the case of a new yacht, the charter cost can sometimes be written off against a purchase. For larger yachts, which are often semi-custom, it’s a great way to determine how you’d like your own build fitted out, what works and what doesn’t.” Multihull sales have seen a big increase over recent years, and many of those sales are to owners switching from a monohull . “If you’re thinking of converting to a multihull, consider where the major points of difference are and put them into practice by chartering,” says Toby.

“Power handling, anchoring and living are all very different aboard a multi. Sailing, while often a pleasant surprise, is a very different thing on a cat. So why not enjoy the selection process more by chartering in some lovely locations first?”

Boat shows (when they’re up and running again) will provide the best opportunity for a first look at a wide variety of yachts

Boat show comparison

Terysa Vanderloo and Nick Fabbri compared dozens of catamarans when searching for their new Ruby Rose . Terysa shares her top tips…

After living on board a 38ft monohull for the past five years, my partner Nick and I decided to make the move to a catamaran. We had no clear idea of which catamaran we wanted, or even what the options were, so over the course of 2019 we went to numerous boat shows, toured dozens of catamarans and did five sea trials.

We took our YouTube audience with us on this journey, filming a total of 19 catamaran reviews and sampling the entire spectrum of catamaran designs.  We wanted to be analytical in our decision making process, so we assessed each boat using five criteria: safety and design; build quality; interior design and liveability; price; and performance.

Terysa Vanderloo and Nick Fabbri took a detailed look at 19 catamarans when choosing their new boat

Each boat was given a total score out of 50, and we even opened up the ‘scoring’ to our audience through an app, which removed any bias from both ourselves and brokers. These are some of the things we learned:

Come prepared: Knowing your must-haves in advance will be of huge benefit at the show. Every boat is a compromise, so it helps to know the characteristics or features that are absolute red lines. For example, in choosing our new boat we were determined to have a catamaran with well-protected helms, high build quality and excellent natural ventilation.

This allowed us to create a shortlist in advance by doing online research before arriving at the show. Most manufacturers will have virtual tours or comprehensive photo galleries on their website and obtaining information on price in advance is a good idea if you’re working to a budget.

Bring a camera: Filming a full walk-through on your phone or an action camera for further study and comparison when you get home is really useful. Once you’ve seen a few boats, it can be hard to remember the details – getting it all on film lets you relive the experience later and compare different models retrospectively.

Allow extra time: Although I’m a big advocate for being prepared, sometimes you fall in love with a boat you totally overlooked during your initial research. And sometimes your priorities change once you’ve done a few walk-throughs.

You might think you want a performance catamaran , for example, but after spending some time in the spacious hulls of a cruising catamaran you start to rethink your stance… Give yourself plenty of time to do some generalised browsing, because you might be surprised by what you fall in love with on the day.

First published in the October 2020 issue of Yachting World.