60' Fast Cruiser

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS

LOA   60' - 2"
DWL   57' - 4"
Beam   16' - 0"
Draft - up 4' - 9" down 12' - 0"
Displacement (loaded)   54,000 lbs
Ballast   19,000 lbs
Total Sail Area   1,840 sq.ft.
Engine Yanmar 4LH-DTE continuous rated output
170 hp
Generator Northern Lights
12 kw
Fuel   680 gal
  2 - 300 tanks each
  1 day tank - 80 gal
Water   400 gal

DESIGNER'S COMMENTS

Dieter Empacher was commissioned to design a 60' cruising yacht for a mid-West client who sent an extended list of design criteria. This attractive 60 footer starts a new generation of cruising yachts. Up front, the most obvious feature is the unstayed aerorig or swing rig with a tall mast of 89' above the waterline. This sailplan shows the maximum sail area the yacht will carry in light air upwind or downwind. With the in-boom reefing system the sail area can easily be reduced to stand up in all weather conditions. The mast will be carbon fiber to achieve the highest strength for its weight. The lifting keel with the amount of 17,000 lbs. of ballast located in the bulb still provides ample stability with the keel in the up position. The twin rudder arrangement has been chosen for better rudder control in any upwind condition. Even though the yacht is relatively narrow for its length, with a 3.58 LWL/Beam ratio, it has fairly beamy aft sections which would reduce the single rudder efficiency with the restricted rudder draft requirements.

The playfulness of the design requirements is reflected in the transom garage which houses the personal watercraft "Challenger" and also sports a cushion padded sun deck more commonly found on power boats. An oversized cockpit length promises to accommodate great activity on deck. The mid-ship pilot-house saloon provides for inside steering and has a raised lounging area with a 360 degree panoramic view. Two double staterooms are aft under the cockpit while the dining room area is located in front of the pilot house on starboard side opposite the galley. A large master stateroom with an athwartship head and separate stall shower is located in front of the mast rounding off the layout. The oversized forepeak can easily accommodate the ground tackle. While this enjoyable cruising yacht has all the modern features, the sailing performance has not been neglected. A retractable bow thruster creates minimum drag, and the long waterline adds to greater hull speed. Sail handling from the cockpit simplifies the already uncomplicated rig and, therefore, makes it a perfect afternoon short-handed cruiser as well as a long distance voyager.