As sailors, we’re naturally curious about new things that will make our sailing adventures easier, safer or more rewarding, and we love to see new sailboats. In the coming months, builders from a dozen or more countries— from Vietnam to Scandinavia, the United States, central and eastern Europe, South Africa, and China — will bring 40 or more of their latest models to North America.
Collectively, that’s a boatload of new ideas for us all to take in and talk about. As has been the trend for the last several years, multihulls will make a big splash in 2017. In this year’s Showcase, there are 15 catamarans and tris, each one designed for a particular purpose: chartering, long-range cruising or even daysailing.
For more traditional sailors, a few builders have gone back to the drawing board to update and enhance classic lines. Other manufacturers have borrowed from powerboat designs to bring a whole new look to the dock. Some new models evolve, while others strike off on bold new tacks.
Looking over what’s new for 2017, one thing is clear: Boatbuilders around the globe are working hard to capture our attention with innovations that can make life aboard more comfortable, sailing simpler, and voyaging safer.
Source: cruising world
