When yacht designer Bill Lee latched on to the phrase “Fast is Fun,” he did more than label his own design efforts, he sparked a new generation of sailboats that continue to attract ardent followers. Much has changed since those early days when Lees Santa Cruz 27s were being built by land-bound surfers waiting for big winter swells.
Lees plant, affectionately known as the “Chicken Coop,” has been upstaged by climate-controlled facilities and much more esoteric building techniques, but the impact of his designs-particularly on the traditional East Coast naval architecture establishment-reverberates today. The high-performance experiments of Lee and other like-minded sailors spawned a worldwide obsession with lightweight boats that could plane on a reach, and thanks to innovations in designs and materials, that passion continues to grow today.
Photos by Ralph Naranjo
This fledgling group of speed enthusiasts prompted the evolution of a number of design elements and construction techniques aimed squarely at maximizing speed: planing hull forms, carbon rigs, specialized hardware, and sail plans that favor lift over drag. Add to this the innovations from C-Class catamarans, planing Aussie skiffs, and the offbeat foil flyers, each adding its own signature performance push, and its no surprise that sailing speed records have continued to tumble.
The legacy left in the wake of these seafaring hot-rodders has benefited the average sailor with new materials, hardware, and design improvements found in modern boats. And now, theres a growing interest in the fleet of what Lee calls “street legal” boats that further push the envelope of the fast-is-fun philosophy. These boats are usually found in the less-
trafficked corners of the boat shows, in essence a sideshow thats well worth a closer look.
After sifting through the field of sailing sports cars on the market today, PS identified five very different production craft that lived up to our expectations. They all meet the “speedster” criteria, but by no means fall into the same mold. At the top end of our size and cost profile is a Lee legacy, the Santa Cruz 37, a wolf in wolfs clothing that offers performance as priority one, two, and three on the design criteria list. Next in line is the Andrews 28, a breakaway racer/cruiser that packs performance and a Spartan minimalists cruising package into a 25.7-foot waterline. Hard to miss is the Open 6.50, an out-and-out go-fast sport boat with room below for little more than a cooler and a bevy of high-tech sails. For the diehard dinghy sailor, we highlight the quick planing Stealth, a 14.5-footer that redefines reaching, and in true giant-slayer fashion, can fly by most 40-footers on a power reach. Finally, we hop aboard a turbo-charged windsurfer, the Starboard Futura, which is powered by a Neil Pryde sail and runs away with the award for most speed and fun for our dollar.
While some of these boats are designed with racing in mind, we rate them here purely according to their fun-factor, the ability to deliver the exhilaration that comes from sailing a high-performance boat. We are particularly interested in boats that can offer satisfying sailing in lighter winds of about 8 knots, common in most areas of North America. If exciting racing on a weekly basis is your goal, then we would recommend also looking at more mainstream boats that are supported by large Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) or one-design fleets in your region.
Santa Cruz 37
Lee may no longer be building boats, but his Santa Cruz legend lives on. The latest iteration of the fast-is-fun form belongs to a lightweight carbon-fiber/ epoxy-resin speedster designed by Kernan Yacht Design and built to International Standards Organization (ISO) Category A standards (designated for boats generally considered capable of offshore sailing). The hull and deck are bonded together, and carbon/PVC foam bulkheads and a carbon-reinforced E-glass grid are set in place using a methacrylate adhesive, creating a stiff, monocoque structure. Theres even a hydraulic lifting option that allows the fin and bulb keel to be retracted vertically for entry into shoal water.
The specs are interesting, and they highlight that this is a boat that must be sailed to be appreciated. Like a cat that is ready to pounce, the large mainsail-dominated sailplan delivers a responsive boost to every puff that crosses the deck. The SC-37 sailplan is indicative of the performance trend toward large mainsails and smaller jibs, and with a sail area/displacement ratio of 28, theres plenty of power to be found in the sailplan. Off the wind, the options increase.
A quick look at the pointy end of the boat reveals a double-barrel set of stem projections. The smaller, well-reinforced A-frame is meant for code-sail handling and is rugged enough to take the on-the-wind loading of a close reach in oceanic conditions. The 7-foot retractable carbon sprit puts the tack of an asymmetric spinnaker right where it belongs, in clear air well away from the furled headsail.
Below is a nicely accented interior thats more than a den for sailbags. The galley, berths, and a small center-line table offer functional accommodations. The cabin ambiance may not live up to a liveaboard cruisers expectations, but it certainly offers welcome solace for the off watch.
With one set of jib winches in the cockpit and a set on the cabintop for spinnaker handling, the helmsperson is not crowded, and theres space for every function. The main halyard is led below and clutched off on the spar itself, minimizing stretch and keeping the halyard tail well out of the way. Having to go below to blow the main halyard is not the best arrangement from a safety and convenience standpoint, but on a boat likely to have multiple crew members, it is not as much of an issue as it would be on a boat aimed at singlehanders or cruising couples. The only other problem we noticed was some rudder cassette binding when hard on the wind. By presstime, the builder had already changed the bearing engineering to eliminate this problem.
Bottom line: Despite its teething pains (rudder problems at this level of the game are not acceptable), the SC-37 truly ramps up the fun factor in this size category. If youre looking strictly for an IRC racer, there are better options out there, and in the more mainstream PHRF or one-design fleets racing, there are some Beneteaus and J/boats in this size range that may better meet your needs. However, if you want to flat out fly on a boat with modest cruising comforts, the SC-37 delivers in spades.
Open 6.50
This 21-foot sport boat has been described as “100-percent carbon and 200-percent adrenalin,” and the combination delivers hoots and smiles from all on board. With a 43-percent ballast ratio, wide beam, and a sail area to displacement ratio that redefines the concept of being powered up, this high-strung sportboat gets going while others remain stuck in the water.
Carrying the fast-is-fun philosophy to the next level, Group Finot pushes the limits of what should be labeled “street legal.” In this miniaturized iteration of the go-fast ideal, they have merged an ultra-lightweight (1,168 pounds), carbon and foam-sandwich hull with a carbon sprit and spar. This delivers the ability to carry 425 square feet of sail upwind, and 812 square feet off the wind. Reminiscent of scaled-down 60-footers, this ultralight with a wide beam aft shows zip on and off the wind.
The Open 6.50 is an engineering masterpiece, and a clear example of how aerospace technology can be put to good use in boat building. The hull laminate and foam core are assembled dry in a closed mold and slipped into an autoclave to be baked under elevated pressure and temperature-curing like a high-tech loaf of bread. The carbon-fiber prepreg resin flows when heated, and the exacting nature of the pressure induced bond leads to laminate consistency and the highest of strength-to-weight ratios. Foam flotation and a sealed carbon mast provide the boat with an unsinkable ISO Category-C label and added resistance to capsizing.
Thanks to a drop-keel design, the Open 6.50 can change its draft from 6 feet, 6 inches to 1 foot for easy trailer launching and recovery. Twin rudders tame steering characteristics despite the ultra-wide beam carried all the way to the transom. All of the controls are placed at just the right points for easy trimming, and the flat-top, high-aspect-ratio main and jib deliver maximum punch. The 7-foot retractable carbon sprit adds a downwind dimension to sailing that can only be described as turbocharged.
Optimum crew size varies with conditions and how hard the throttle will be kept down. Two can have plenty of fun sailing the boat, but to squeeze out maximum performance, three to five seems to be the right number, and the range depends upon a tally of size and skill.
The Open 6.50 is an all-Harken hardware platform, and both the deck layout and choice of gear fit the job at hand. The boats light-air ability is astounding, and in only 10 knots of breeze, the crew can coax bouts of planing. Hiking is optional, and remains a legs-in effort, but when the true wind and boat speed start to look the same, its amazing how far forward the apparent wind moves, another reason that a sprit-set, reaching asymmetric spinnaker is favored over a fuller-cut, deep reaching sail.
Bottom line: The Open 6.50 revs up the fine art of daysailing, but the big downside is the price tag, about the same as a well-appointed BMW. With it comes no bunks, diesel auxiliary, or potential for overnighting-just the pure enjoyment of having one of the fastest and most fun sailing machines to be found on any local bay, lake, or other inshore estuary.
Andrews 28
Alan Andrews has introduced a new breed of racer-cruiser, and theres good reason to see it as a break-through boat. Gone is the gingerbread trim of tradition and the excess weight that creates increased wetted surface, skin drag, and all the other drag issues that give many cruisers a chronic case of the slows. In its place is a minimalist approach-simple but functional basic cruising amenities, a compact diesel auxiliary and an obvious emphasis on the rig, sailplan, and deck layout-the stuff that sailing is really all about.
The foam sandwich hull is created through a resin-infusion process that minimizes void content and maximizes core adhesion. Carbon fiber is used in key high-load areas to achieve the necessary strength with the least amount of additional weight. A grid is molded into the bilge and loads from the deck-stepped spar are transferred via a compression post to the grid.
An innovative lifting keel retracts into a centerline slot, masquerading in the cabin as a convenient table. With just a quick hoist, the 7-foot deep-draft foil and bulb keel morphs into a 2-foot, 8-inch gunkholer thats trailerable, a feature that opens up North Americas most appealing cruising destinations.
A high-aspect ratio, carbon fiber, tiller-steered rudder can be easily pulled out of its transom-mounted cassette. The combination keel and rudder adjustability make the Andrews 28 much more than just another reincarnation of a Midget Offshore Racing Club (MORC) boat.
When it comes to weekend adventure or a weekslong summer cruise in a remote trailer-sailing destination, theres much going for the A-28. Its accommodations, though far from sumptuous, are adequate for the job at hand. With a sink, one-burner stove, ice box, and enough space to prepare a simple meal, the mini galley rates an adequate score. The berths are comfortable, and theres a small but welcome nav station. Tankage is minimal, but with an enclosed head, albeit with a shade-like faux door, the boat qualifies as a pocket cruiser.
The real appeal of this boat is found underway, when its thoroughbred handling characteristics and efficient sailplan come into their own. The carbon sprit allows a sizable asymmetric spinnaker to be handled by a shorthanded crew, and the sail area is enough to keep things moving even when the breeze isn’t much over 5 knots. The tiller-steered helm is a delight, and Andrews legacy rings through loud and clear.
Bottom line: Sylvana Yachts has delivered a boat built to a performance standard. They have kept the weight in check, and the result is reminiscent of when Porsche built its original speedster, a vehicle that rekindled the fun of driving. Like the German auto icon, Andrews and Sylvan have come up with a sensible price point for their redefined pocket racer/cruiser. At just shy of $90,000, the boat is in the same price point as Hunters, Catalinas, and Beneteaus with similar waterline lengths.
Stealth 14.6
Some sailors see dinghies as childs play while others revel in a chance to hold onto a bit of youth. In truth, the Stealth is more Aussie skiff than traditional 420 or Flying Junior. From above, its shaped like a pizza slice, and the hard chines, high-aspect ratio alloy blades and substantial carbon sprit allude to an elevated level of performance. Conceived by the crew at Kernan Yacht Design and built by CL Sailboats of Fort Erie, Ontario, the Stealth injects rocket fuel into the sport of dinghy sailing.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in this little speedster is the sensible blend of materials that have been used to deliver performance at an affordable price. The hull and deck are comprised of a hand-laid E-glass sandwich structure that is joined with a methylacrylate adhesive called Plexus. The combination of good workmanship and mainstream materials delivers a stiff, durable hull that weighs in at 150 pounds, making it capable of car-top transport. By avoiding esoteric materials and costly molding procedures, the builder is able to add carbon spars and North Sails canvas to the package and still keep the boat price just shy of $10,000.
One of the most interesting attributes of this little skiff is the asymmetric spinnaker that can be set and doused with one set of lines. In 15-knot conditions, a singlehander simply bears off a tad, puts the breeze on the beam, and pops the chute, adding a warp-speed boost. Instead of launching into chaos, the chine digs in, and the boat climbs on top of the water. Sailing takes on a definite surfing overtone, and the positive control of the helm keeps things under control. When its time to reign in the excitement, theres no need for any white knuckle gymnastics, just uncleat the double-ended set-and-douse line, and retract the asymm into its turtle. Caging the beast has never been so easy.
Bottom line: Kids growing bored with nudging a conventional dinghy through the water will gain a new perspective about sailing the moment they set off on a double-digit plane, and the Stealth brings that goal within easy reach. If a bargain-priced, plane-on-a-reach performance will make your day, the Stealth is bound to hold appeal.
Starboard Futura
The irony in this David-and-Goliath quest for speed under sail is that the smallest, lightest, and less expensive gear often goes the fastest. And nowhere is the sail area/displacement ratio as telling as it is with the last of our speedsters, a Starboard windsurfer and a Neil Pryde sail.
This stand-up sailer has no cockpit, rudder, standing rigging, or hint of creature comfort beyond padded footstraps. But it can leave all of the other boats reviewed here in the dust. The downside of going 25 knots-plus on a windsurfer is the need to spend a couple of seasons developing the skill to access this planing phenomenon. Todays wide, light boards and high-aspect sails make this learning curve much easier than it was during the dawn of the sport when narrow, longboards weighing as much as an elm tree were propelled with tablecloth-like sails.
Test pilot Tara Mitchell (photo above) tried out a 111-liter-volume board powered with a 53-square-foot Neil Pryde sail, one of many designs the company has pioneered. The “Combat” sails are highly reinforced and often used in heavier winds. Carbon masts and booms also fit the strong-and-light theme, and when it comes to shaping up the innovations of sailmakers like Neil Pryde, stiff carbon spars are a big plus. Interestingly, innovative full-batten design sails with fat-head high-aspect ratio shapes were seen on windsurfing sails well before Americas Cup syndicates caught on to their advantage.
Bottom line: Companies like Starboard manufacture a wide range of boards that are light, stable, and fast. The new Futura model is a responsive, highly maneuverable board thats easy to plane and perfectly at home in a wide range of conditions.
Conclusion
Fast, light boats are fun to sail, but there are a few tradeoffs that boat buyers should keep in mind. The first is that all the performance is contingent upon keeping the boats as light as possible, and if youre a person that brings gear to the boat but never takes anything home, beware of whats happening to the waterline. Just as multihulls bog down when overloaded, so do these nimble go-fast monohulls.
Theres also a need to visualize these boats as sports cars, not pickup trucks, and while letting an old Westsail pound against a pier will usually result in more damage being done to the pier than the boat, these new hulls with their stiff, thin skin, sandwich structure arent built to take such non-sailing point loads.
Although Technical Editor Ralph Naranjo, an avid windsurfer, favors the stand-up side of performance sailing and points to the knots-per-dollar advantage the windsurfer offers, he agrees that among our test field, the Andrews 28 is the best all-around performance cruiser/racer for our general readership. Its a boat that can be club-raced by a shorthanded crew and can serve as an excellent pocket cruiser for those who rank voyaging under sail higher than dockside entertaining. This little sloop has been designed to be easily maintained and quick to get underway-features that definitely deliver more hours under sail.
