The CLASS of 2022
HYLAS 57
Despite its impressive LOA, the H57 has been deliberately configured by veteran designer Bill Dixon to serve as a bluewater cruiser with couples in mind. All sail controls lead aft to the cockpit to be within reach of the twin helms. Similarly, twin rudders ensure there’s an automatic backup in the event one of the two appendages should ever be damaged by, say, an unidentified floating object while on passage. The boat’s main, genoa and self-tacking jib all come with power-furling standard, which in combination with the H57’s electric sheet winches makes sail trim a snap. An optional hardtop provides shelter in the cockpit without marring the boat’s graceful lines. A three-stateroom interior with an owner’s cabin aft comes standard, but as a semi-custom builder, Hylas is also be more than happy to tailor its layouts to each owner’s particular tastes. There is the choice of a standard or shoal-draft keel.
LOA 56ft 10in BEAM 17ft DRAFT 8ft 2in (std); 6ft 5in (shoal) DISPLACEMENT 57,685lb SAIL AREA 1,636ft2 Hylas Yachts International, hylasyachts.com
J/9
It’s been a couple of years since we’ve seen something new from Rhode Island-based J/Boats, and how great that when the creators of the J/24 decided to unveil something new it had an LOA of under 30ft! The first in a new line of daysailers, the J/6 features a slippery, infused hull with plenty of performance potential. Look a little closer, though, and it quickly becomes apparent there’s more to this boat than just VMGs. The cockpit, in particular, looks to be a fantastic place to hang out in, with oodles of space and a compact swim platform no less. Belowdecks, there’s also plenty of space for getting out of the weather, and the rig has been designed to sail as easily under main alone as with the headsail unfurled. In the words of J/Boats president Jeff Johnstone: “This is a boat you can sail by yourself in just a few minutes, or bring along the whole gang with plenty of room to spare.” A shoal-draft keel is available for skinny-water sailing.
LOA 28ft BEAM 8ft 7in DRAFT 4ft 11in (std.); 3ft 11in (shoal) DISPLACEMENT 4,250lb SAIL AREA 449ft2 J/Boats Inc., jboats.com
BALANCE 482
Although a relative newcomer to the multihull world, Balance Catamarans continues to grow by leaps and bounds, sending an increasing number of new boats down the ways in South Africa and steadily expanding its product line, with models ranging from around 40ft to over 70ft LOA. The new Balance 482 looks to be vintage Balance with its svelte lines, well-thought-out accommodations plan and performance potential. Daggerboards, a pair of narrow hulls and a powerful, easy-to-handle rig will ensure excellent performance on all angles of sails, whether out daysailing or on passage. A collaboration between Balance founder Phillip Berman and veteran South African naval architect Anton du Toit, the boat also features the company’s trademark Versa-helm, which allows you to steer from either an upper or sheltered lower position, depending on the weather.
LOA 48ft 4in BEAM 25ft 11in DRAFT 1ft 10in (boards up); 4ft 4in (boards down) DISPLACEMENT 25,353lb SAIL AREA 1,453ft2 (100% foretriangle area) Balance Catamarans, balancecatamarans.com
HANSE 460
The hull form of the Hanse 460 has been optimized to provide a combination of stability and performance and, coupled with powerful rig and uber-chic tumblehome bow and sprit, looks to have resulted in a boat that is going to be as fun to sail as it is good looking. The standard jib is self-tacking with shorthanded crews in mind but can be replaced with a 105 percent genoa for yet more horsepower in the light stuff. All lines are led aft to a set of winches within easy reach of the boat’s twin helms. Electric furling is also available, as is a Quantum Sails gennaker for performance off the wind. Other options
