ESCAPE ARTIST

IT’S RARE TO FIND AN OCEAN-GOING YACHT THAT CAN DRY OUT ON THE BEACH, BUT DISCOVERY’S REVISED 48S MAY HAVE BROUGHT THE SWING-KEEL BACK INTO FASHION

- TOBY HODGES

Tested by TOBY HODGES

Where we tested: Western Solent and approaches

Wind: 15-24 knots south-westerly, slight seas

Model: Discovery 48S – swing-keel version, with options including mainsheet arch, Hydranet sails and extra vertical hull portlights

Psst. Want in on a secret? It’s called shoal draught. Please don’t tell anyone because those of us in the know enjoy having the far reaches of busy estuaries to ourselves. And never more so than today.

The expectation here in the UK is that the harbours, anchorages and beaches will be busier than ever this summer as the hordes released from lockdown flood to the coasts rather than head abroad. While cruising can bring that rich element of escapism, many sailors will seek some solitude on arrival too.

And what about those wanting to sail further afield? You finally reach your dream destination only to have to anchor way out in the depths where there’s swinging room for the lead beneath your boat. It’s akin to standing back in the gallery while the shallow draught multihulls get the front row seats.

Superyacht builders have been onto this for years. Their owners are used to getting the VIP spots, hence telescopic keels are reasonably commonplace, albeit complex and expensive solutions. However, for the majority who still want a production-built monohull, what are the options? Despite the Westerly Centaur being one of the most popular designs ever, no one builds bilge keelers anymore. An aluminium French or Dutch explorer yacht perhaps… or an innovative performance cruiser such as a Pogo maybe? After that I start scratching my head.