[Jeff_H]

Until fairly recently Farctional rigs were primarily used on raceboats. As hardware has improved they are becoming far more common. The Europeans really pioneered Frac cruisers so their are more of them. Here''s a quick partial list.

Beneteau First 36.7- New Farr designed 36 footer. Very nice boats. I have been racing on her larger sister. The boat that I have been on has done close to 10,000 miles offshore and still looks like new. Not your father''s Beneteau.

Contessa 33. I have spent a lot of time on these boats. They are really spectacularly wonderful boats. Build quality was super. They sail well and have a very ingenious layout.

Dehler Optima 101 (35)- This would be very high on my list. Good all around boats.

Dehler 35 CWS- Well build and neat detailing. Not exactly my favorite but good boats.

Dehler 34 (Dehler 34 top)(Dehler Optima 101)
These are three subtly different boats. I look at an Optima 101 for myself and really liked the boat but ws a little small for what I wanted (I ended up with a 38 footer).

Farr 1020; These would be near the top of my list. Great little boats.

Hanse 341: I have been very impressed with Hanse. This is a little known German company in the US but they are very respected in the EU. Except for some minor details, I have have liked what I have seen of thier boats.

J 109- Cool new boats. I have not sailed one but if you can afford a new boat this would be a be a good one.

Sea Sprite 34: This is a more traditional design and one that I don''t know exceptionally well. These would not be high perforance boats but they have always struck me as well built, sensible and attractive.

Sigma 33: I knew a couple that had done the transatlantic, the Carribean and US Atlantic in one. I would try to find a non race version as the race version is very stark.


Sigma 35- Older English boats. Well constructed and nicely detailed.

X-342 X boats are more on the racier end of the scale but seem well done.

I am afraid that I am out of time this morning.

Jeff