Colin on Good Design

Colin charters a sailboat and finds out what has gone wrong with production sailboat design.

Colin charters a sailboat with swept back spreaders and laments this boat design feature.

Colin discusses the implications for sailing performance and general boat handling of high freeboard, a wide coachroof, and beam carried well aft.

Colin talks about the importance of designing boats for safety and comfort while at sea, not just when in harbour.

As Colin writes, if the huge internal volume in a lot of modern sailboats was used to increase storage capacity, it might be somewhat justified. But if all of it is taken up with berths and shower units, then where does all the ‘stuff’ go?