Greatest yachts of 2022: launches and bulletins

One of the best yachts of 2022 to this point.

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that for 2 years, new boat launches have been few and much between.

However now boat builders are again in pressure and have just lately introduced a spread of recent launches from 30ft yachts for coastal and offshore crusing to quick cruisers and catamarans that are being billed as sustainable.

Sam Fortescue picks his favourites.

Contest 49CS

The high-quality construct makes use of one-shot vacuum infusion. Credit score: Contest Yachts

The brand new 49CS is simply the second within the vary to depart from Contest’s tried-and-tested centre cockpit design – following its entry-level 42-footer.

Billed as an aft cockpit boat, the 49CS is admittedly extra of a hybrid design, with a protracted aft deck however sheltered helm stations effectively in board and superb peak within the aft cabins beneath.

Contest yachts are recognized for his or her high-quality construct, and the 49CS isn’t any exception, utilizing one-shot vacuum infusion.

At greater than 20 tonnes it’s not a light-weight boat, however it might make a superb base for a round-the-world journey, with its ahead cockpit and tender storage within the transom.

There’s exception headroom beneath deck. Credit score: Contest Yachts

Being a Dutch-built yacht, headroom is beneficiant, and the inside styling by Wetzel Brown has a complicated really feel to it, with plenty of textures, gentle colored woods and impartial upholstery.

The saloon is semi-raised beneath the deckhouse, giving exterior views from the eating desk.

A grasp cabin fills the ahead third of the boat, and there are two double or twin cabins aft.

The galley lies down some steps on the port aspect.

Contest is exclusive in that its boats are licensed by Lloyd’s Register.

Specs

Value: €1,198,000 ex-VAT
LOA: 15.20m (49ft 10in)
Cabins: 3
Beam: 4.90m (16 ft1in)
Draught: 2.35m (7ft 9in)
Displacement: 21,500kg (47,399Lbs)
Contact: Contest Yachts
Tel: +31 227 543 644
Web site: www.contestyachts.com

Greatest new yachts beneath £500,000

Pointer 30

The Pointer 30 has a big sailplan totalling 46m2. Credit score: Pointer Yachts

Area of interest Dutch shipyard Jachtwerf Heeg is increasing its profitable Pointer vary with the launch of a brand new 30-footer.

It’s the largest Pointer to this point, and the biggest for the yard, which has specialised for greater than 60 years in constructing small open boats and race boats for native circumstances in GRP. The Pointer model launched in 2014.

The boat has fashionable hull traces with a plumb bow, a bowsprit and first rate inside house.

It has been designed for coastal and offshore crusing, with a big sailplan totalling 46m2 upwind and a shallow draught.

The choices record contains all the standard cruising equipment. Credit score: Pointer Yachts

There’s room for eight within the cockpit, however the boat can also be designed for singlehanded crusing. Select between a tiller or a wheel on a tilting pedestal.

There’s a bathing platform aft, a snug saloon, a protracted bench and a ‘espresso bar’.

It has a fresh-water system, a fridge and a gasoline hob.

There’s a separate heads and a V-berth within the focsle, plus two quarter berths off the saloon.

Specs

Value: from €150,000 inc VAT and sails
LOA: 9.20m (30ft 2in)
Cabins: 1 (4 berths)
Beam: 2.90m (9ft 6in)
Draught: 1.25m/1.75m (4ft 1in/5ft 9in)
Displacement: 2,400kg (5,291Lb)
Contact: Jachtwerf Heeg
Tel: +31 (0) 515 44 22 37
Web site: www.jachtwerf-heeg.nl

Elan E6

With a low displacement for her dimension, the E6 shall be very interactive when crusing. Credit score: Elan

Hull considered one of this new 50ft mannequin has simply been launched within the yard’s dwelling waters of the Slovenian Adriatic.

She is the biggest of the efficiency cruising E-line, with a brand new hull designed by Rob Humphreys.

His design contains an aft chine for additional quantity and stability.

‘She can have an actual flip of velocity compared to the GT6, regardless that they share some comparable preliminary traits,’ says UK supplier Tim Norris at Boatpoint.

‘The E6 can have a low displacement for her dimension, so shall be interactive when crusing. She has been arrange like all Elans for comparatively straightforward shorthanded crusing.’

Twin rudders aft contribute to her wonderful directional stability. Credit score: Elan

The lay-up makes use of e-Glass and vinylester, vacuum-infused for power and lightweight weight.

There’s a fastened bowsprit for launching large sails and twin rudders aft for optimum effectivity on the heel.

All of it combines to cut back the tendency to broach and pitch whereas giving wonderful directional stability.

Beneath deck, Pininfarina has tried to create an attractive however sensible inside, which Norris describes as ‘a bit of extra minimalist in contrast the GT6, with a reasonably conventional structure’.

The styling is in pure oak veneer with impartial gray upholstery.

There’s the selection of three or 4 cabins – two doubles aft and a grasp cabin with a semi-island mattress within the focsle, or a V-berth ahead and bunks as an alternative of space for storing.

There’s a first rate L-shaped galley amidships.

Specs

Value: £460,000 inc VAT
LOA: 15.30m (50 ft 2in)
LWL: 13.68m (44ft 11in)
Cabins: 3-4
Beam: 4.49m (14ft 9in)
Draught: 2.80m (9ft 2in)
Displacement: 11,250kg (24,802Lb)
Contact: Boatpoint Hamble
Tel: +44 2382 120 000
Web site: www.boatpoint.co.uk

RM 1380

The 1380 shall be RM’s largest cruiser. Credit score: RM

France’s RM famously builds its yachts in plywood and epoxy, and claims that the brand new 1380 would be the largest such cruiser ever constructed.

The hull is designed by Marc Lombard, with racy traces and blue-water capabilities.

She needs to be a quick yacht when she hits the water, with a rig that permits a downwind sail and a second headstay, because of the lengthy bowsprit.

The boat has twin rudders and underwater selections together with bilge keels and a high-performance lifting keel.

The transom conceals a showering platform. Credit score: RM

Beneath, the inside is a matter of selection, however sometimes minimal.

Varied configurations are potential, however the Proprietor’s model places a big cabin within the forepeak.

There are two heads/bathe rooms and a semi-horseshoe galley to port.

The primary hull is because of be in-built April 2022.

Specs

Value: €357,000 ex-VAT
LOA: 13.30m (43ft 8in)
LWL: 12.44m (40ft 10in)
Cabins: 2-4
Beam: 4.53m (14ft 10in)
Draught: 1.45m-3.35m (4ft 9in/11ft)
Displacement: 9,800kg (21,605Lb)
Contact: Parkstone Bay Yachts
Tel: +44 (0)1202 724917
Web site: www.parkstonebayyachts.co.uk

Continues beneath…

Greatest new catamarans in 2022

XCS 14

The XCS 14 shows the model’s key options akin to a low increase and a forward-stepped mast. Credit score: Extra Catamarans

Groupe Beneteau continues to broaden its Extra catamaran enterprise, geared toward youthful house owners who desire a enjoyable connection to the water, with out a sky-high price ticket.

VPLP has drawn on its ocean racing expertise, designing uneven hulls, foam-sandwich hull layup and better bridgedeck clearance to cut back slamming.

A towering square-topped most important and an overlapping genoa spherical out a reasonably beneficiant 118m2 of upwind sail space, though keep in mind this can be a heavy boat.

Helm stations are pushed out to the quarters at deck stage. Credit score: Extra Catamarans

Semi-island double berths on the aft finish of every hull give a contact of luxurious, and the entire starboard hull might be dedicated to the proprietor, with a walk-in dressing room within the bow.

Easy however engaging inside styling has been effectively executed by Nauta.

Specs

Value: TBC
LOA: 13.34m (43ft 9in)
Cabins: 3-4
Beam: 7.87m (25ft 10in)
Draught: 1.48m (4ft 10in)
Displacement: Max 18,300kg (40,344Lb)
Contact: Ancasta
Tel: +44 (0)2380 450 000
Web site: www.ancasta.com

Lagoon 51

Lagoon’s sustainable expertise makes use of hemp fibre as an alternative of glass and biosourced polyester resins. Credit score: Lagoon

Resulting from be unveiled on the Grande Motte Multihull present from 20-24 April 2022, the Lagoon 51 remains to be partly shrouded in secrecy.

The shipyard has billed it as a extra sustainable yacht, with higher on-board circulation and ‘nice fluidity’, which feels like a byword for extra open areas.

Like all current Lagoons, it has been designed by the multihull consultants at VPLP, who had this to say in regards to the boat: ‘We designed the Lagoon 51 as an ideal synthesis of the modernity of the shapes and the sail plan, with dwelling house on deck and inside that’s unequalled on a ship this dimension.’

What we will already inform from early renderings is that the flybridge makes use of rather more house on the coachroof than the earlier Lagoon 50.

This features a C-shaped lounge with a drop-down desk in addition to twin sunpads.

The helm station is positioned centrally behind the mast. Credit score: Lagoon

A devoted ahead cockpit provides nice lounging up entrance, with deep sofas, a desk and the choice of teak underfoot.

Renderings seem to indicate a gap saloon window for passing provides out to these utilizing this house.

A brand new-generation inside dispenses with the mast beam down the center of the saloon, by positioning it additional ahead.

Acres of glass makes this a luminous house, with an L-shaped galley to port and a raised eating space ahead which advantages from the views.

Lagoon is driving for sustainability, utilizing hemp fibre, Alpi wooden and providing 3.4kW of photo voltaic panels.

She is even delivered with biodegradable cleansing merchandise!

Specs

Value: TBC
LOA: 15.35m (50ft 4in)
Cabins: 3-6
Beam: 8.1m (26ft 7in)
Draught: 1.38m (4ft 6in)
Contact: Ancasta
Tel: +44 2380 450 000
Web site: www.ancasta.com

Vaan R4

60% of the aluminium for the hull comes from recycled materials. Credit score: Vaan

One in all a crop of recent catamaran manufacturers coming via in the mean time, Vaan is distinguished by its obsessive give attention to combining efficiency with sustainability.

Its first mannequin, the R4, was launched earlier than Christmas and shall be on present at La Grande Motte in April 2022.

The hull is created from aluminium, as much as 60% of which is sourced from recycled metallic obtained from previous window frames and street indicators.

Vaan founder Igor Kluin is totally clear that this can be a extra sustainable choice than constructing in non-recyclable GRP.

Decking is crafted from cork, whereas the trendy, uncluttered inside makes use of plant-based Lyocell cloth and a leather-based various created from pineapple leaves.

Plant-based supplies are used within the inside. Credit score: Vaan

The outside design is completely different to different cats, too. Kluin calls it a ‘cabriolet’ as a result of there’s solely a slender band of strong coachroof over the cockpit, leaving the remainder open.

A material bimini might be rapidly put in if additional safety is required, however the precept is to make this house as open as potential.

Helm stations are moved to the 2 well-protected quarters.

Propulsion comes from two 10kW Torqeedo electrical pod drives, hooked as much as both 20kWh or 40kWh of lithium-ion batteries.

Vaan claims that that is equal to 40hp combustion engines.

Below sail, the drives regenerate energy to recharge the batteries.

Specs

Value: €429,000 ex-VAT
LOA: 12.80m (42ft)
LWL: 12.80m (42ft)
Cabins: 2-4
Beam: 7.06m (23ft 2in)
Draught: 1.35m (4ft 5in)
Displacement: 10,900kg (26,235Lb)
Contact: Vaan Yachts
Tel: +31 (0)85 071 9999
Web site: www.vaanyachts.nlv

Fountaine-Pajot 51

A bigger-than-average flybridge homes the helmstation. Credit score: Fountaine-Pajot

A succesful, well-designed catamaran from the La Rochelle-based builder, the brand new 51 includes a deck design that makes the inside saloon and exterior cockpit work collectively.

The glass panels of the rear wall of the saloon slide fully to both aspect, whereas the deck is flush, connecting the galley immediately with the eight-person saloon desk.

The helmstation is bulkhead-mounted, with a larger-than-ever flybridge set round it.

All of the management traces return to the three winches right here, for straightforward dealing with.

And the coachroof is inlaid with a beneficiant 2kW of photo voltaic panels.

The inside saloon and exterior cockpit are designed to affix seamlessly. Credit score: Fountaine-Pajot

There’s additionally a foredeck lounge, personal cabin exits and a reducing aft platform.

Configuration beneath is versatile, with the potential of 4 to 6 double cabins with ensuite heads.

Within the Maestro model, all the port hull might be devoted to the proprietor’s lodging, whereas the double Maestro places twin VIP cabins aft in every hull.

The navigation space lies proper by the aft doorways of the saloon, the place it’s inside straightforward attain of the helm.

Specs

Value: €865,311 ex-VAT
LOA: 15.54m (51ft)
Cabins: 4-6
Beam: 8.08m (26ft 7in)
Draught: 1.3m (4ft 3in)
Displacement: 18,100kg (39,903Lb)
Contact: MiCats
Tel: +44 (0)1489 573 059
Web site: www.multihull.co.uk

Loved studying Greatest yachts of 2022: boat launches and bulletins?

A subscription to Yachting Month-to-month journal prices round 40% lower than the duvet worth.

Print and digital editions can be found via Magazines Direct – the place you also can discover the most recent offers.

YM is filled with data that can assist you get probably the most out of your time on the water.

• • • Take your seamanship to the subsequent stage with ideas, recommendation and expertise from our consultants
    • Neutral in-depth opinions of the most recent yachts and gear
    • Cruising guides that can assist you attain these dream locations

Observe us on Fb, Twitter and Instagram.