Those looking at the 55-60ft luxury cruiser market currently will be spoilt for choice from the likes of Oyster, Hallberg Rassy, Amel, Discovery and Contest all offering new designs that we have tested in the last couple of years alone. Therefore to enter this market, it may help having a niche. The new Gunfleet 58 not only cements this new yard’s growing reputation for build quality, but provides that niche through the option of shoal draught. The Tony Castro design has a fixed ballast keel with centreboard, which will allow you to cruise the globe’s oceans, yet snuggle up in the cosiest, shallow anchorages too.
We took the first new launch sailing from her east coast birthplace to see if the concept really delivers.
Full report in the YW September issue.