Performance yachts and market trends

[jonjo]

The first UK magazine test report of the Bavaria Match 35 hit the stands yesterday in the Yachts & Yachting August 13 issue.

Having ordered a Match 35 two weeks ago prior to any magazine review view, naturally I rushed out to buy a copy. I better not quote large portions of the Y&Y text but in general the design got a thumbs up.

One of the conclusions puzzled me, they wrote "here is a boat that may answer the trend as Sportsboat sailors move back into performance cruiser-racers".

Who are these sportsboat sailors, what do they sail and why are they now looking to own a different type of yacht?

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[jonjo]

Re: Partial answer

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.rorcrating.com/SBR/sbrintro.html> RORC summary of what a sportsboat is</A>


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[AIDY]

Great to hear you have a new Match 35 on order.

Did you read the test in August '04 YW on the Match 42 ?

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[jonjo]

Re: Match 35 review

> Did you read the test in August '04 YW on the Match 42 ?

Yes, that review caused some anxiety. But after a few re-reads I concluded that YW:

1 - Liked the cockpit and general sailing characteristics.
2 - Had wasted column inches by wibbling on about how the Match 42 would compare against pure IMS racing designs old and new.
3 - Had almost accused the Spanish Bavaria agent of cheating in their customisation of their Match 42 for an optimal IMS rating.
4 - Taken some predicable shots at finishing details e.g. feeble looking internal grab rails just like all Bavaria’s and no internal hull paint under the water tank.

Yachts & Yachting compared the Match 35 with the J109 and SunFast 35. The Match 35 with Opal's race package gets the same IRC rating as the J109 at 62% of the cost. The Sunfast comparison is misleading because that's just a tarted up cruising hull.

I am looking forward to some more inquisitive reviews from cruising oriented magazines because the Y&Y team apparently just jumped aboard for an extended 2 day sail and concluded that the Match 35 is a cool mover.

Hopefully the cruising mags will probe deeper.

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[TonyS]

Re: Match 35 review

I agree with you. IMHO all the sailing boat reviews give no measurable comparison and are mostly information available from a brochure. When they compare costs they should add any required equipment to make the boat seaworthy and capable of being used. Then a cost comparison would mean something. The German magazine Yacht does this. Secondly have you ever read a review when the yacht is not described as fast? The review of the 2 new Bens in YM say they are both fast but then that the smaller one is as fast as the larger!!! Couldn't we have a review of all the leading makes in a small size range. Say Bav 36, Sun 36, Dehler 36, Jan 37 Sailed by as many crews in as many short races on the same day with some instrumentation so that polar diagrams could be produced and a clear fastest and slowest boat found under those (hopefully) average conditions?

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[AIDY]

Re: Match 35 review

Not seen the 35 you must have one of the first. But if its anything to go by the 38 match you have a fast and fun boat. Saw a 38 out on the water at cowes week.

The report on the 42 seemed a bit harsh. don't know how many they have made to date, but you expect a few teething problems with the first production boat.

It's alot of boat for the money.

Have you gone for the race spec ? assume you will be using it for JOG / RORC racing

Have Fun !

<hr width=100% size=1>/forums/images/icons/wink.gif <font color=blue> Regards Andy </font color=blue>

 

[jonjo]

Re: Match 35 review

> you must have one of the first.

So far I have only paid a deposit, my boat arrives November and it will be mid December before she is ready to launch so I will probably hold off until January to get that "launched 2005" tag.

> Have you gone for the race spec ?

The sails and instruments have not been ordered yet, this partly reflects uncertainty regarding how I will use the boat. Double handed cruising and racing are the main objectives.

I will also be watching Opal's attempt to make the Match 35 an OOD and the biggest thing since the Sigma 33 OOD. If this takes off I should follow the class rules for the sail wardrobe providing, that is, I have picked the right keel option.

> assume you will be using it for JOG / RORC racing

It could take a training season to get to that level, the Royal Southampton's double handed series appeals.

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[jonjo]

Re: Match 35 review

> When they compare costs they should add any required equipment to
> make the boat seaworthy

Well Y&Y should have clarified what their reference new yacht spec is.

> Couldn't we have a review of all the leading makes in a small size range.

You have my vote on this matter, the typical yacht review is so tedious to read and probably equally so to write. They used to do one-of-a-kind rallies many years ago so why can we not see a return of this formula, preferable on yachts 6+ months old?

Reviewing private in-commission examples is now standard practice at Sailing Today I think.

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