ON TEST BORÉAL 47.2: OFF THE BEATEN TRACK

THIS RUGGED OCEAN CRUISER TARGETS THE GROWING MARKET FOR EXPEDITION YACHTS AND IS BRIMMING WITH BRILLIANT FEATURES THAT HAVE A WIDE APPEAL

- RUPERT HOLMES

Boréal is not afraid to forge its own path and its distinctive aluminium cruising yachts have gained a strong reputation over the past 15 years. The latest model is a shoal draught expedition yacht that can take you anywhere on the planet, yet, as we were to discover, is also responsive and fun to sail in more confined waters.

The Breton yard’s success is underpinned by a huge amount of embedded expertise. Founder and naval architect Jean-François Delvoye based the Boréal concept on experience gained during a six-year circumnavigation with four children, plus expeditions to South Georgia and the Antarctic. General manager and co-owner JeanFrançois Eeman’s vast experience includes two trips to Patagonia and the Antarctic on his own boats.

This first-hand knowledge shows through in many ways with this new 47.2, a European Yacht of the Year 2021 winner. The rugged construction includes an ice-breaking stem, watertight bulkheads and 8-10mm bottom plating on substantial framing that enables the boat to be safely beached. Equally, good sailing qualities are an important element. Both centreboard and rudder have efficient hydrodynamic profiles, while heavy items including anchor chain, tankage and batteries are kept low down and central.

SAILING IN FEBRUARY

Our test took place in a large swell leftover from the weather system that forced Clarisse Cremer to delay her Vendée Globe finish. We set out broad-reaching using the optional general purpose asymmetric spinnaker, with the boat maintaining an easy motion despite the swell.

Even when the true wind dropped to only 8-9 knots we made decent progress, with boat speed rarely falling much below 6 knots. Our best speed of the test was 8.7 knots at a true wind angle of 145° in 17 knots of true wind.