At some time or another those of us who love sailing have pondered the question.

How can I make it better?

The discussions that follow have little concern with onboard comfort and crossing oceans. Any serious sailor will tell you “it’s all about the ride”. Flying a hull on a warm windy day or going to weather, heeled over with a bone in her teeth. It just can’t get any better than that. Yet we all know well and good that perfect conditions are not everyday and often times there will be days when sailing can be just plain boring.

Sacrilege you might say.

Well, I doubt that there are many who like sailing more than I, but on days when there is not a white cap to be seen, “light air days” of which south Florida has many, we all know what to expect. I have traveled enough to know that these light air days are not just a peculiarity of Florida. The plain truth is that light air is not rare!

So what can we do when the forecast says “light and variable”? Shortly after the Miami Boat show I had the good fortune to find an answer.

“Mark would you arrange to have this boat moved to the Keys”? As my regular delivery captain was out of town “on delivery”, and as I was somewhat curious about this new boat, I said “sure, why not”. A few days, and a few “volunteers” later we found ourselves motoring out of Bayside Marina Miami on a brand new Reynolds 33.

The forecasts were a little disappointing, as the call was for South winds of 5 to 8 knots on our course south to the Keys. So we prepared for long day of motoring down the Bay.

Were we Surprised!!

The first thing one can’t help notice about the R33 is the size of the rig. The mast is 48 feet off the deck! The mainsail is over 500 sq ft. and the boat only weighs 2,500 lbs. What does this all mean? FUN. In only six knots of wind we were flying a hull! Three grown men flying a hull on a very well balanced 33 foot catamaran.

The Reynolds 33 carries a main, jib, blast, screecher, and spinnaker. Plenty of sails especially for those light days. The main, jib, and blast for sailing up hill (the blast for the really light stuff) and the screecher and spinnaker for sailing off the wind. This boat is capable of doing at least wind speed, and in certain conditions the apparent wind will propel the boat faster than true wind speed! We were able to reach 16 knots in about 12 knots of true wind (the water was just starting to cap). We could fly the hull anytime we wanted and that was in less than 10 knots of wind.

Yes we’re talking about fun. On any other boat I’ve sailed this would have been a mediocre day at best. On the Reynolds 33, it was exciting, fun, and fast. Very fast.

For any one who truly loves to sail, and we mean SAIL this is the boat for you. Feel the tiller in your hand, the breeze pressing the sails (no autopilot here) with a well-mannered boat that will react to your slightest touch. When everyone else is still in the dock with sail covers on, you simply must try the Reynolds 33!

Follow this link to exhilaration!