Head turners

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Quandary

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A response on the Bav./C32 thread has started me thinking about style. Some boats you encounter just look so good when sailing that you want to get the camera out. The Contessa 32 is definitely one and none of the Sadlers which followed are nearly as pretty. Others I can think of are the S and S Swan 38 and the X119 which just exuded power when under sail, I always liked D. Thomas designs but more for functional performance, the only pretty one I can recall is the Toledo, (a Hydro with extended transom)
So restricting it to production cruising/racing boats I would rank them
Contessa 32
Swan 38
X119
Significantly none of these are in quantity production today and all were expensive when they were made, and regarded as fast, the only one on the list I ever aspired to own was the X119 and this was only because as an unsuccessful one design they were such very good value second hand; at the time I went for a Sigma 38 which while not quite as good looking was a lot more practical.
Anyone want to nominate better looking sail boats which are still being made?
 
Quandary said:
A response on the Bav./C32 thread has started me thinking about style. Some boats you encounter just look so good when sailing that you want to get the camera out. The Contessa 32 is definitely one and none of the Sadlers which followed are nearly as pretty. Others I can think of are the S and S Swan 38 and the X119 which just exuded power when under sail, I always liked D. Thomas designs but more for functional performance, the only pretty one I can recall is the Toledo, (a Hydro with extended transom)
So restricting it to production cruising/racing boats I would rank them
Contessa 32
Swan 38
X119
Significantly none of these are in quantity production today and all were expensive when they were made, and regarded as fast, the only one on the list I ever aspired to own was the X119 and this was only because as an unsuccessful one design they were such very good value second hand; at the time I went for a Sigma 38 which while not quite as good looking was a lot more practical.
Anyone want to nominate better looking sail boats which are still being made?
Click to expand...

I always liked the SJ35

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Ideas of aesthetics change with time. Quandary has a liking for boats of a certain style, with a fine entry, narrow stern by today's standard and masthead rig. I haven't got used to modern yachts with a dinghy-like appearance and fractional rig but I am starting to find them attractive, almost beautiful in a functional sort of way. I now find some older craft, such as '50s types, with full bows and masthead rigs set forwards quite clumsy in comparison. Contessa 32s will always look beautiful I'm sure, but a lot of '70s boats will look dated.
 
johnalison said:
Ideas of aesthetics change with time. Quandary has a liking for boats of a certain style, with a fine entry, narrow stern by today's standard and masthead rig. I haven't got used to modern yachts with a dinghy-like appearance and fractional rig but I am starting to find them attractive, almost beautiful in a functional sort of way. I now find some older craft, such as '50s types, with full bows and masthead rigs set forwards quite clumsy in comparison. Contessa 32s will always look beautiful I'm sure, but a lot of '70s boats will look dated.
Click to expand...

Perfectly put. I agree.

Unfortunately my lovely little boat is from 1973!

Mike
 
Missed one
She 33
Johnalison has worked out what I like (though the preference for masthead has never been reflected in my purchases) but what sets my boats apart is how they look under sail, the one I own pleases me but does not have the combination of power and sheer elegance that the listed ones show. The power may not be real ( we used to p*** all over Contessas in a Sigma 33) but it looks 'right'.
The Dragon is another picture to drool over but not a production cruiser.
 
I can't really name a modern boat still in production which makes me take my Camera out. I do have a soft spot for Colin Archer types (Ketch's in particular, about 50') and the Rival range of yachts. I am biased on the Rivals. They have a nice sweep to their deck, from a low stern to a high bow. I find that shape pleasing to my eye.
 
Dare I say this sounds like an age (of the viewer) thing. Older people admire older boats !

Many would see some of the boats mentioned as ungainly, and head turning boats might be a Musto Skiff, Elan 310 or Wally

Each to their own (although YM do seem to be a bit fixated on elderly Sadler designs at present, reflecting their columnist's personal viewpoint / prejudice)
 
dunedin said:
Dare I say this sounds like an age (of the viewer) thing. Older people admire older boats !

Many would see some of the boats mentioned as ungainly, and head turning boats might be a Musto Skiff, Elan 310 or Wally

Each to their own (although YM do seem to be a bit fixated on elderly Sadler designs at present, reflecting their columnist's personal viewpoint / prejudice)
Click to expand...

Bugger...I am classed as old now!...oh well
 
head turners

Head turners...?

That's an interesting question, and previous posters have named some good examples.

Arthur Beiser, when he wrote 'The Proper Yacht' in 1966 stated on page 4 of the book, '...of all the elements that go into a proper yacht, the one that should never be compromised is beauty.' (Quite!)

production cruising/racing boats?

Rustler 36
Twister
Marieholm 36
the American Challenger Class 38 footer - and likewise pretty american boats.

Happy sailing.
 
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