BOATS OF NOTE
Dufour 470
French manufacturer Dufour’s latest design features a bold new look for the company according to the manufacturers. To this end, the 470 features a number of new styling touches but, perhaps most significantly, greater volume towards the bow making for a much larger forward cabin. The new 470 is available in three different configurations; Easy, Performance and Ocean depending on the sort of sailing you want to do.
J/45
American manufacturer J/Boats has been around for 45 years now and whether by accident or design, is marking that anniversary with the launch of their new flagship, the J/45. This is their biggest boat to date and, like the majority of their previous designs in this size bracket, the 45 will offer a compelling blend of racing prowess with decent levels of comfort. Interestingly, the accompanying talk around the launch makes much of this cruising comfort stating that: ‘The guiding principle involved maximising the interior volume and comfort whilst retaining an elegant silhouette, a minimal wetted surface area and by far the lowest weight estimate of its category.’
Southerly 42
Southerly Yachts have been synonymous with shallow draft, swing keel cruisers for decades and, although their voyage has been a rocky one at times, they have found a fine custodian in Discovery Yachts. The 42 is the latest addition to the range and, as you would expect, features Southerly’s trade mark variable draft keel enables the draft to be reduced to as little as 0.84m (3’). This Rob Humphreys design’s lines were drawn up with good performance in mind which is married to a
