Atoll 43
Cruising News/Sailing Central.com
January 2001 Boat in Review
By Guy deBoer
Don't be surprised if you start seeing these new and innovated designs in our local waters.
While attending this year's Annapolis Boat Show, I was intrigued by a design that VPM Yacht Charters was introducing to the US Charter Market - the new Atoll designs by Dufour Yachts of France. These new designs by Phillip Briand offer the spacious accommodations of a modem catamaran design while maintaining the easy motion that so many sailors have become accustom to.
Stepping aboard VPM's New Atoll 50' at the show I was introduced to Neils Lutyens, VPMís new charter base manager in Tortola. Neils explained the benefits and growing demand for a new monohull designed sloop that offers except entertaining accommodations and sails well under charter circumstances. Every design has its compromises but in the new Atoll 50í one has to wonder just what sailing performance is given up to provide such a great entertainment platform.
VPM was kind enough to offer us a new Atoll 43' for a true test of the design. The Bitter End Yacht Club's Pro Am Regatta's long distance day race to the Bath's for lunch and a dive provided the testing ground for the Atoll. Onboard, joining us as testers of the design, were Peter and JJ Isler as our pros and Sailing Coach Ken Legler of Tuft's University providing tactics.
The race was the Defiance Day Race where local boats adding flavor along with the BEYC's Freedom 30's, Express 37, J-24's and older Design Square Meter. While racing the Atoll 43 with crew and family aboard, it was hard not to notice that enjoying the day was the top priority. JJ Isler refused to leave the salon where she spent the day playing with her two young daughters. Peter and Ken took command and led us off sailing well in the light winds to weather. We were the 3rd boat to the weather mark.
Sailing out of the North Sound, beam reaching, we maintained our position before turning and running towards the Baths. Peter turned the helm over to Karen Smereck and coached the inexperienced sailor to the finish at the Baths. The morning sail and finish always found the Atoll in good company with the fleet. The crew enjoyed the sail, not complaining about anything. Along side with the fleet was a 45' catamaran. The Atoll clearly outperformed this similar sized charter boat while maintaining the grace under sail that only a monohull can.
The fleet dropped anchor to enjoy lunch and snorkeling before the race back to the BEYC. This was a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the comforts that the Atoll offers. The deck design offers large spacious areas for sunning, sleeping and relaxing. The swim platform is oversized allowing many of the crew to experience playing and flocking aboard or in the water. Although the four sleeping quarters were not needed as this was just a day trip, they are over-sized and equal in accommodations and ventilation. Twin heads are positioned on either side of the hull both offering pressure water and shower facilities.
The salon and galley are over deck, giving the crew complete 360-degree viewing while under-sail or at anchor. A large sliding sunroof is truly a unique feature allowing the crew the option of totally wide-open spaces or a covered cabin.
The return race was all to weather and in an increasing wind. Here is where the Atoll not only rose to the occasion but was also a pleasure to sail and race against the fleet. This design sailed as close to the wind as the rest of the fleet and tacked easily as we played the wind shifts along the rocky coast of Virgin Gorda.
Throughout the day while racing, diving and enjoying lunch, the Atoll 43' provided everyone aboard a grand time. VPM is using the Atoll 43' and the new and even larger Atoll 50' in many of their charter locations providing families the opportunity to experience large catamaran accommodations in this new mono- hull design by Dufour. The design has received such praise that Dufour has decided to offer the Atoll designs for private sale through Dufour USA.
Don't be surprised if you start seeing these new and innovated designs in our local waters. *
LOA - 43'
Beam - 15' 2"
Draft - 5'3"
Displacement - 20,950 lbs.
Sail Area - 946 sq. ft.
Berths - 6/8
Cabins - 3/4
Heads/Showers - 2
To Charter: Contact
VPM Yacht Charters
2184 SE 17th St.Causeway
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33316
Sandra Metayer - 800-445-2479
This article was written by Guy deBoer and published in the January 2001 edition of Cruising News/Sailing Central.com Magazine. Pictures from the article have not been reproduced in the reading room, however two sample Dufour photos are shown.
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