Racer-Cruisers
Long projections like the bow roller must be adequately reinforced to absorb the shock loads of anchoring.
The Pros and Cons of a Plumb Bow
Does this racer-style stem make sense for cruising boats?
Practical Sailor editors looked at emerging design trends at the most recent Annapolis Boat Show. What caught our eye was that race-boat designers’ long-running obsession with near vertical, “plumb” bows—a shape that squeezes maximum waterline length into a hull—has trickled down to boats built for cruising. This raised the question: Is this race-boat style stem advantageous to a cruising sailboat? It is important to recognize that a plumb stem and long waterline aren’t the only design factors that make a sailboat go fast.
More Racer-Cruisers
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New Boat Review: Beneteau Oceanis 41
Subscribers Only — Beneteau’s new Oceanis 41 features a unique hull shape and a new cruising perspective, with a design that... -
Sailmaker Survey Reveals Readers’ Favorites
Subscribers Only — Our informal online sailmaker poll generated 336 complete responses, not large enough to be statistically... -
ebook — Entry-Level Sailboats, Volume 2
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ebook — Entry-Level Sailboats, Volume 1
