Swallow Yachts Coast 250 Views?

TSB240

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Did anyone have a close look at this at SBS? Nominated for European Yacht of the year.

It is a distinctive new design approach that appears to overcome the disadvantage of hanging an 80HP outboard on a transom like the Odin and MAcs and much compromising of any sailing potential.
Swallow have developed a reputation for coming up with small trailable boats that sail well. This one departs from using water ballast having a lifting lead bulb unlike their smaller models.

If anybody is planning on going to Dusseldorf show I would appreciate some additional photos and feedback?

Maybe they have missed a trick and should have added some foils!

http://swallowyachts.com/coast-250-award-nomination/

http://swallowyachts.com/range/coast-250-new/
 
If it does what they say it does (and I've no particular reason to doubt them, they have a good track record with their Bay range) then it looks rather appealing.

I'd be interested to see details of the motor underwater fairing arrangements and the keel retraction.

Pete
 
McGregor 26?

Just because it has a high-power engine?

It's a different hull shape, completely different rig, the engine weight is about the same (in weight and position) as a 2GM20 and the stern gear drag is nil because it retracts behind a fairing panel.

The MacGregor boats are explicitly (the designer acknowledges it) designed for novice sailors who don't demand much sailing performance, and to be cheaply built. Even the buoyancy foam is packed into the voids as square bricks with wasted space around them because it costs too much to make blocks individually cut to shape and to take the time to fit them into place.

Swallow in the blurb for this boat specifically emphasise their focus on sailing performance, and they have form for making boats of somewhat novel design that sail well. They've invested in proper research and development of this hull. And I'm sure it won't be cheap :)

The only thing it has in common with the Macgregor is that it has a relatively large outboard - and the stripe on the coachroof :)

Pete
 
Just because it has a high-power engine?

The only thing it has in common with the Macgregor is that it has a relatively large outboard - and the stripe on the coachroof :)

Pete
Innovation comes in many forms The Mac was innovative and met a particular market need.
Over 38,000 Macs were built despite the lack of sailing ability.

If the sailing performance is acceptable and as promised I would be interested at the right price. Price will determine the sales number.
Nearest sailing competitor would be a Bene First 25?
Bene is about 50K new.
I suspect that margins for Bene are pretty low even with their manufacturing techniques and economies of scale. Perhaps a potential link up with a Chinese investor or licensed factory could open up worldwide sales to a similar level or higher than Macs?
 
Blimy that’s fast!
Marine Diesel engines are agricultural in a good way. Outboards sacrifice simplicity for performance. I think I’d want a backup engine. I guess that’s what the sails are for :-)
 
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