In this test:
The North Sea off IJmuiden in the Netherlands is not the kind of area that you would prefer to sail in a small, smart daysailer. Instead of crystal-clear water, a gentle breeze and charming surroundings, there is endless current, often storms, brown water with a high wave. And on land - not very visually appealing - is one of the largest steelworks in Europe, whose chimneys blow stinking clouds of smoke out to sea. Not a place for an enjoyable sailing trip, especially not in the run-up to an approaching weather front, which on top of everything else was already sending a few rain showers in advance that day.
But the test run with the new Saffier Se 24 Lite makes up for all these inconveniences. In winds of between 12 and a maximum of 15 knots (4 Beaufort), the attractive sea dwarf showed off all its skills in the YACHT test. With the negative bow stem in the style of a wave piercer design, the sports boat/daysailer hybrid, which is only seven metres long, works its way through the short and steep North Sea waves. Hard on the wind, the log easily reaches 5.5 knots, sometimes at an angle of less than 40 degrees to the true wind direction. As the YACHT test shows: The little Saffier is a really good cruiser, sails stiffly upwind and also runs a great height.
Steering the boat upwind is a lot of fun. The feeling at the tiller is reminiscent of sailing a dinghy
The boat also shows its strengths on courses on the beam. With the almost 50 square metre top gennaker, the small boat can be steered effortlessly under pressure and reacts quickly to steering impulses with the tiller like a dinghy. In the gusts, the bow comes up and the boat starts planing. Just under nine knots of speed are possible with a little wave support in the moderate wind conditions.
In view of the very good performance data for a boat of this size, the following two facts should not go unmentioned. The test boat, the green construction number 1, which has already attracted a lot of attention as a world premiere at the boot in Düsseldorf, is equipped with a carbon fibre mast and shrouds made of PBO. Above all, the standing rigging made of high-performance textile fibres lightens the entire rig by around half the standard weight of the aluminium mast and wire shrouds. Naturally, this has a positive effect on the sailing behaviour, especially in short waves. And the sail upgrade with laminated fabric from Elvstrøm also helps.
As if to compensate for this, the test ship has become around 150 kilograms heavier than initially calculated. This was because additional hull stiffeners had to be retrofitted. In the area of the bevel between the hull and deck, the initially only monolithically laminated GRP construction had not achieved the desired rigidity and had to be re-laminated with a foam core. In the series, all hulls and also the decks of the 24s are now built as GRP sandwich constructions with vacuum infusion.
Green Saffier with electric drive for more sustainability
With the bright green colour scheme of construction number 1, Saffier Yachts naturally wants one thing first: to stand out. On the other hand, it is also intended to emphasise the issue of ecological sustainability. Only an electric drive from Torqeedo is planned for motorisation. At cruising speed and with fully charged batteries, a range of just under five hours is possible at reduced speed.
Solar panels are integrated into the deck on the foredeck to recharge the battery. This means that the empty power storage unit can be available again at full capacity within four to five days, depending on the amount of sunshine. This means that the entire system is independent of shore power to a certain extent, for example when the boat is moored at a buoy or on the trailer on land. However, the basic equipment ex shipyard does not yet include motorisation. The package with E-Pod drive and battery from Torqeedo as well as solar panels costs just under 12,000 euros gross in addition to the basic price.
Saffier Se 24 Lite: Easy handling takes centre stage
The Dutch at Saffier Yachts are firmly against flexible hull attachments such as lifting or swivelling keels. They argue that moving parts are generally high-maintenance, prone to defects and complex to construct. The Se 24 Lite is available with no less than three fixed keel variants with different draughts (1.00 m/1.30 m/1.44 m). The ballast proportions, the keel profiles and the length and shape of the rudder blades are adapted accordingly. Nevertheless, flexible keel and rudder systems would be desirable for the Saffier Se 24 Lite, at least as a variant, especially for use as a trailer or touring boat on inland waterways or for slipping over the ramp.
The 24 is the first boat from Saffier Yachts without a backstay. Instead, the slim mainsail is flared at the top (squarehead), which primarily looks good, but also provides extra performance, especially in light winds. In stronger breezes, the function of the missing backstay must be compensated for by the long traveller on the aft deck and the mainsheet. For accurate mainsail trim, however, a fine adjustment on the sheet from the yard would be nice. If required, this could be easily retrofitted with very little effort.
The rig concept includes a self-tacking jib as standard. This makes the boat ultimately suitable for single-handed sailing. The variant to this is the short overlapping genoa (110 per cent) with 3D haul points. Its sheets are travelled short distances over the coachroof and remain within easy reach for the helmsman thanks to the tiller steering and extension, just like the sheet of the self-tacking jib. When sailing, the crew sits comfortably and safely on the thwarts or more sportily with their buttocks on the high edge.
For a 24-footer, the space inside the small Saffier is huge
The simple rig with a spreader comes in both the standard aluminium version and the carbon fibre version from the manufacturer Neut Mast in the Netherlands. It stands on deck on a folding mast base and can therefore be easily set and lowered by hand. The 1.10 metre long bowsprit is made of aluminium and is firmly bolted to the bow. It can also be completely removed for transport on a trailer.
As far as the interior is concerned, the essentials are quickly explained: Up to four people can sleep relatively comfortably in the bow and on the sofa berths, which are built far into the stern. Thanks to the hull windows, it is pleasantly bright below and the interior design with inner shells is generally attractive and even cosy. However, it is not possible to sit inside due to the limited height. There are open storage spaces under the side benches and under the foredeck. However, if you would like to stay on the boat for longer, you will have to live out of pocket and take a portable toilet with you if necessary.
The Saffier Se 24 Lite is a well thought-out all-rounder - but by no means cheap
The basic version of the Saffier Se 24 Lite costs 83,180 euros gross, including 19 per cent VAT. Compared to the possible competition, the price seems self-confident, but can also be explained by the well-built and solid construction as well as the high-quality basic equipment. Incidentally, the sails and engine are not included in this package, which is quite common for boats of this size and orientation.
With the Se 24 Lite, the bosses of Saffier Yachts, the Hennevanger brothers, have built an exciting, well thought-out boat that can be used for a lot of things. Regatta sailors will get their money's worth, as will connoisseurs who just want to use the boat for a little sailing fun in between.
Measured valuesSaffier Se 24 Lite
TheSaffier Se 24 Lite in detail
Technical data
- CE design category: D
- Torso length: 7,10 m
- Total length: 8,00 m
- Waterline length:6,55 m
- Width: 2,40 m
- Low/alternative: 1,44/1,00/1,30 m
- Mast height above WL: 10,50 m
- Theor. torso speed:6.2 kn
- Weight: 1,05 t
- Ballast/proportion: 450 kg/37 %
- Mainsail: 20,0 m²
- Self-tacking jib: 11,0 m²
- Genoa (110 %): 12,5 m²
- Gennaker: 48,0 m²
- machine (E-Torqeedo): 3.5 kW
- Battery (E-Torqeedo): 3,500 Wh
Hull and deck construction
- GRP sandwich with foam core
- built using the vacuum infusion process
- Full laminate on the keel and in the area of the rudder shaft
Rig and sail
- Standard is the aluminium rig from the Dutch manufacturer Neut Mast
- The boat is equipped with a self-tacking jib or a short overlapping genoa
Motorisation
- Base price without drive
- Optional: Torqeedo Pod 3.0 Cruise with 1,530 watts of propulsion power. Torqeedo 24-3500 lithium battery (3,680 Wh). Surcharge 11,900 euros
Keel variants
Lead keels in L-shape in three variants (draught):
- 1.30 m (standard)
- 1,00 m
- 1,44 m
Comfort
- Up to four people sleep comfortably below deck
- a lot for a boat of this size
- but no seat height below deck
Equipment and prices*
- Base price ex shipyard € 83,180
- Price ready to sail: € 102,825
- Warranty/against osmosis: 2/2 years
* how the prices shown are defined can be found here !
Shipyard and distribution
- Saffier Maritiem B. V.
- 1976 BS IJmuiden (Netherlands)
- saffieryachts.com
- Distribution: Dealer network
YACHT ratingSaffier Se 24 Lite
The Saffier Se 24 Lite performs well downwind and appeals to active sailors with its almost dinghy-like characteristics. However, the concept remains very simple. Inside you can live well with restrictions
Design and concept
- + Solid construction
- + Large cockpit
- + High brand identity
- - No option for lifting keel
Sailing performance and trim
- + Sails stiffly and runs well upwind
- + Very sensitive control
- - Fine adjustment of mainsheet missing
Living and finishing quality
- + Berths for up to four people
- + Qualitatively well developed
- - No seat height below deck
Equipment and technology
- + Three draught variants
- + Folding mast
