Less than 80 Feet Sailing

In looking back on the past several years I have seen an increase in the building of very large sailing yachts. While it is interesting to learn of the success of the very top end of the sail boat market, the midsized, higher quality market still seems to be stuck in the doldrums. Perhaps the soft market can be attributed to the fact that nothing we have seen could be called transformational or even unique.  The offerings on the midsized yacht market all look the same and seem to cater to the same demographic groups of buyers. While there are some very refined world cruisers and some progressive racer cruisers I could find nothing that captured my attention for the way I envision most people are utilizing their existing boats.

There have been many performance cruisers and motor sailors designed and built over the years, many with a lot of desirable features, but I have never seen a good looking, good performing, family-oriented, sailing lifestyle platform such as what we have created with the SURFARI 58.

Having witnessed a complete generation of sailors abandoning sail for power, I set out  to design and build a boat that would be an answer to those who share the same needs as I do - be it a day, a week or a month of coastal cruising. I wanted to create a yacht with an emphasis on outdoor living, a living platform for both social and recreational activities, as equally practical as comfortable. I envisioned a roomy living platform when anchored and a comfortable sun-protected space when sailing. And I want it to be ALL ONE LEVEL!

Most importantly I wanted the boat to be fast. Leisure time is short and because the best locations to spend the day are often the most remote, I wanted a vehicle that would move fast under sail or power.

After nearly six years of a soft market, the time has come for something truly unique. The SURFARI 58 may just be the next “picnic boat” of this generation.

- Ted Fontaine