It seems like many boat builders today are vying for boat show bragging rights to the ‘biggest boat per foot of length’ as their new designs seem to be getting beamy to the extreme. But a new breeze is stirring. SAGA YACHTS is ‘splitting tacks’ with the fleet. Taking the lead from the shorthanded offshore racing fleets like the Whitbread and BOC around the world races, SAGA has opted instead to maximize waterline length to gain the desired interior space, and to judiciously pare weight, and retain a relatively narrow beam. It is a proven offshore concept with a strong scientific basis.

The result is the all-new SAGA 43, a more suitable and more comfortable offshore cruiser with a high range of positive stability and better overall seakeeping qualities than boats with extreme beam. The hull has an ultra-fine entry angle with low drag, and is therefore very easily driven through the water and chop with far less sail area required. That makes for less strain on the rig, lower sheet and winch loads, and most importantly, less sweat for the crew. Coupled with its 18,500 lb. displacement the SAGA 43 will require no more effort to sail than the average 38 footer. But the big bonus is that the SAGA 43's longer waterline length translates to higher speeds under both power and sail than ordinary boats with the same LOA. In fact the 43 performs more like a 50 footer with a dynamic waterline length of over 41 feet when underway.

The hull has an ultra-fine entry angle with low drag, and is therefore very easily driven through the water and chop...