When couples go cruising they often consider 42 ft (13 m) to be a sort of highwater mark for a cruising boat that two people can handle safely. But what if a boat was bigger—much bigger—but all the systems, including the sail handling and propulsion, were set up and automated with no expense spared? Would it make it easier to handle for just one or two sailors? No expense spared is our theme with this proven world traveller for two—a custom Antigua 60.
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I have mixed feelings of reviews of luxuary yachts. On one hand I appreciate the undeniably high level of craftsmanship and beauty (ceiling lights aside) of a boat such as Soolaimon. On the other hand, at over a half-million dollars, it’s about as attainable as a winning lottery ticket and slightly insulting to read next to shoestring-budget DIY tips. As a diehard PS subscriber, I do still read everything you publish. Although I admit I scrolled through most of this one. In keeping the “practical” in Practical Sailor, perhaps instead of a general overview of a luxuary yacht, pulling out specific details or systems on Soolaimon that could be adapted to a DIY budget might prove to be a more useful article.
Keep on reviewing the higher end boats as well as the mid and lower priced boats. I enjoy reading them all.
It sounds lovely, but it’s not for me. When everything works, it will undoubtedly be a great boat to sail. But it violates my most important rule — KISS (Keep It Simple and Stupid). Equipment usually breaks just when you need it most — when heavy weather places it under maximum strain. Imagine trying to adjust those big sails without the aid of electric winches! Further, I don’t want to be the one to buy the bottom paint for, or to polish topsides of, such a huge hull.
For recreational sailing and cruising, my boating vote goes to a well-found, high quality sailboat that is no larger than it absolutely must be to accomplish your sailing goals. It should be simple, with a minimum electrified or powered equipment. My one exception to this rule is GPS and chart plotters (with redundancy).
T. P. Donnelly
CAPT USNR (ret)
Life long recreational sailor