First 4pack of Seascape left the shipyard towards France. Some nice photos from Kristian on the loading and Francois on unloading side.

Loading, Shipyard in Zvirče

Unloading, France

Yacht magazine has these days its hands full with 16-20ft sailing boats that are represented on German market. They assembled 8 boats that will be vigorously tested for 5 days by 8 journalist and editors.

You can follow the development on their website clicking on this link:

Seascape is represented by first 1.1m draft version designed specifically for shallow lakes. First tests finished better than we anticipated. This is the track of first sail on this version of Seascape:

Numbers from this day were: Upwind speed: 5.1-5.2kt / Tacking angle: 80-85 degrees / Downwind speed: 10kt / Wind speed: 15-20kt, flat water / Crew weight: 260kg

And since our competition are mini cruisers we added some cruising features on our Seascape…

Dutch web sailing magazine Sailreport.nl just published the test of Seascape18 titled: “I also want one!” This is the link on the translated page and don’t forget to check the photos as well.

Even though snow caped mountains still remind us on winter, Seascape owners started launching their boats. First off course in the south of Europe, where weather on good days already smells on summer.

Seascape cup - Croatia, 27. - 28. 2. 2010

First was the race in Sukošan/Croatia, organized by Seascape sailing center at the end of February. 6 Seascapes, raced in various conditions - from almost perfect on day one to challenging 25 knots on day two. All together 12 flights in two days. Results and photos on seascape.hr

Jix -Seascape cup - Slovenia, 27. - 28. 3. 2010

For 2010 season Seascapes joined the circuit of Andrej Justin (RC44 designer) designed Justinten monotypes. First and second race that were held in Koper, saw 5 Seascapes and 7 Justintens racing in perfect conditions. Results and photos on www.jix.si

After months of waiting the verdict came in. In the so called Oscars of european sailing industry Seascape 18 was voted the winner in the category of Special yachts. Jury of editors from 11 biggest European magazines decided for Seascape since it “it represents best fun/price ratio on market”.

Journalist’s comment about selection:

Batnytt: Represents an econymy version of an Open 60 or VO 70. Quick, light and fun sailing for a nice price.

Seilas: Scores point on its simplicity - it’s not the most innovative or advanced boat, but its the attention to details and well thought ideas which impresses me. The concept of the boat and how the boat is used is well developed. It’s got a carbon mast, but it looks like a windsurfing mast. It’s light, easy to rig and a very uncomplicated boat.

Yachtrevue: A very good attempt, to transfer a modern VO70-hull-concept to a small boat; it is a very nice feeling, to sail with such a small boat at speeds of 15 Knots or more; excellent downwind performance; well done fittings: simple but functional; you feel the experience of the builders.

Yachting World: A scaled down Mini-Transat-styled One-design sportsboat, that’s affordable, versatile and lots of fun. Lifting keel and twin rudders allow her to be both beached and trailed, simple construction keeps the price tag down, while a carbon rig aids performance. Up to 15.5knot surfs on our first kite run! Playful and tamable, with her broad aft stable form sections, this is a both a fun family toy and a potentially thrilling sportsboat class within a commendable budget - definitely special.

Swissboat: Uncomplicated but yet challenging: The Seascape provides fun and speed for beginners and proven sailors - and remains at a very interesting price.

Voile Magazine: The very clever Seascape 18 is a good boat for racing or day-sailing. Maybe not the best for the open sea but a very pleasurable all-rounder, easy to trail and easy to sail.

Yacht: An almost democratic approach to small sportsboats: easy to rig, easy to beach, easy to handle - and a blast to sail when it’ s windy. Besides, quite accessible in terms of price, too - at least if one considers carbon mast, boom, bowspirt and laminate sails. And you can camp on the Seascape 18 with a tent over the vast, unobstructed cockpit. The only downside is performance in low wind - too much wetted area and too much weight with three on board.

Waterkampioen: It gives a lot of people the possibility to experience a little bit of the spectaculair sailing that you see nowadays (Open 650, Volvo 70 - you name all the well known downwind flying gennakerboats) for themselves. For a fair price (around 20.000€) and easy to achieve. The boat sails easily, is easy to handle and is more like a ‘fun’ performer, than a flat-out racer. It is forgiving, but can reward you with 14 to 17 knots downwind speed without getting in trouble.

More news on:

http://www.yacht.de/yo/yo_news/powerslave,id,8900,nodeid,50.html
http://www.yachtrevue.at/news-segelyachten/eyoty-2010-die-gewinner-910800.html
http://www.yachtingworld.com/news/439726/european-yacht-of-the-year-2010-winners

For New year greeting we borrowed words of Bernard Moitessier:

I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present. In this limitless nation, this nation of wind, light, and peace, there is no other ruler besides the sea.

In 2010 we wish you fair winds, following sea and courage to explore the unknown.

Team Seascape

Strong team of Seascape representatives joined our French dealer Francois Coutant from SDF in this year Paris Boatshow. And fortunately so, since the stand K51 was buzzing from activites. Some confirmed orders and over 100 new requests for test sailing and or quote will keep our French and Benelux dealers busy troughout the winter. Invitation to join biggest French sportboat race Grand prix Ecole Navale in Brest as OD class added the motivation for our dealers and customers.

A lot of interest went also to Seascape sailing center, that was presenting it’s programme for 2010.

Match racing, cruising, raids and more on a mere 18ft sailboat. Don’t believe it? Click on the photo bellow to open our new Seascape Newsletter which is covering the activities of the class during the summer. Newsletter itself is in PDF format and will open in your Acrobat reader.

Second Match race organized by YC Kornati again on the fleet of 4 Seascapes from Seascape sailing center took place in the island of Murter in Croatia. 5 teams, from Slovenia and Croatia competed.
FIrst day race committee managed to finsih Round robin duels that saw three men team sandwiched by women team of ex 470 Olympic sailor Vesna Dekleva on the top, another women team of Ana Gojčeta on the bottom of the leader board.

On second day fresh NE wind that followed passage of the cold front made for a bit more exciting sailing. Finaly Dekleva won the semifinals against Piesevoli, and Štibrić won against Barbieri. In finals Dekleva and her team won against Stibirć by 2:0 and by that proved that she feels comfortable also in this discipline of sailing.

Sailing club Val from Šibenik is the first one to organize Match race on Seascape18. Competing on the fleet of 4 Seascapes from Seascape sailing center (www.seascape.hr) the 10 crews from Slovenia and Croatia (2 of them female and 2 mixed ) are in their final duels as we write this. Even though in Croatian only, you can check photos and results on www.jkval.hr and follow the races trough trackers.