We ask prime sailors and marine business gurus to decide on the good and most progressive yachts of our occasions. Luca Bassani nominates Windward Passage
“A really fashionable boat for her occasions: very giant stern (nearly like right this moment’s naval structure) and semi-round bilge hull made her very quick in reaching – and with a flush deck!” says Luca Bassani.
“For a very long time she was the quickest boat in actual time within the SORC regattas – ie the world’s quickest boat – and she or he could be thought-about the primary fashionable maxi yacht.”
Windward Passage was designed by the late Alan Gurney as an ocean racing file breaker for lumber tycoon Robert Johnson and inbuilt laminated wooden in 1968. The semi-planing hull was radical for the time, significantly beamy with a shallow canoe physique, a fin keel and a chic run aft to a broad transom – a form described on launching as a ‘73ft dinghy’. Windward Passage received and set a file for the Transpac Race in 1971. Initially designed as a ketch she was later refitted to a sloop rig designed by Doug Peterson.
Photograph: Windward Passage/D Ramey Logan/Wikimedia Commons
“A real but forgotten fantasy,” concludes Bassani.
Be sure you try our full listing of Coolest Yachts.
Windward Passage stats ranking
High velocity: 25 knots
LOA: 73ft/22m
Launched: 1968
Berths: 12
Worth: €500,000
Adrenalin issue: 50%
Luca Bassani
The visionary founding father of Wally Yachts, Luca Bassani created an iconic model and could be credited with shaping the development for clear Italian aesthetics in yachting. In addition to being forward of the curve with yacht design, he has received world championships in crusing and industrial design awards for his progressive type.
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