Although the show it’s self was quiet we had a very exiting London boat show. We are now back in the office with 3 of the show boats here ready to go!

When we arrived back home a Dufour 40 that we have been getting ready to hand over came out of the paint shop with her new colours, as you can see she looks stunning!!

As well as new boat sales at London there was a definite move in the brokerage market, we have moved a few boats on and have more arriving every day, well worth checking the web site to see what’s occurring!

Dufour 525 Test Sail

We arrived at the boat as the sun was rising over the old Port of La Rochelle, the time was 07:50, was it mist or the effects of last night?, it was last night!!

A cold but clear day was forecast, that is exactly what it looked like we were getting, the boat look fantastic moored stern to the inner basin with her transom decking open. We met up with Juels, the Dufour employee and star of Whitbread and Volvo campaigns at the boat at this early time to catch the lock as it opened allowing us to get out in the bay.

We headed out with 4 kts of breeze an in-mast furling system a client to test sail and some trepidation…….were the wind gods going to let us down in our hour of need?

Ken, the client, had his spec. list to hand, checking off the build quality, fittings and interior design as he went, the whole boat combines the Dufour tradition and “dare I say, they have lifted the quality by another notch”, Ken was convinced he was going down the right track…..now for the sailing.

We started out on a beam reach, 6 kts, the full vertical battens, and 138% overlapping Genoa soon got to work, 5, then 6, then 7 kts…slowly coming up on the wind we increased, 8, then 9kts. True wind angle at 40 degrees, apparent 30 and 12kts of breeze.

As we put some distance between us and the land, the sun cleared the horizon and the breeze started to fill in. Up wind in 10knts true, 9 knts of boat speed, Ken was in his element.

This was the first sail for this boat (no. 4) since it was splashed, she handled magnificently, precise, well balanced and light on the helm. WOW.

An enjoyable 4 hours spent on all points of sailing, motoring and manoeuvring, the proof is in the pudding….Ken’s new 525 arrives in July.

Anybody wanting to talk to Ken about his sail, please contact the office.

01752 480 600
sales@wessexyachts.co.uk
www.wessexyachts.co.uk