Boot Düsseldorf Premieres VI: The brand new Saffier SL 46 causes quite a furore

The busy yacht builders in IJmuiden on the North Sea have so far only made a name for themselves with their attractive programme of daysailers and weekenders. With the new flagship, the shipyard is now leaving this traditional market segment for the first time ever. The desire to build a larger boat has obviously been on the minds of brothers Dennis and Dean Hennevanger for some time. With the commissioning of a new, significantly larger production facility, the two shipyard bosses have finally been able to realise their plans. They are now also positioning themselves as new competitors to the established brands in the upper market segment.

Two versions, more options

The new boat will be available in two versions. In the SL 46 Med version, which was also on show as a prototype at the Boot trade fair in Düsseldorf, the cockpit is open at the rear. The two seats for the helmsman can be moved lengthways as required and as desired, allowing flexible use of the aft deck as a platform for sunbathing and relaxing. The SL 46 North variant, on the other hand, comes with a completely closed stern and thus becomes a centre cockpit yacht, a rather unusual but at the same time very innovative design. This variant offers the advantage of a large dinghy garage in the aft peak. A small inflatable dinghy can be stowed transversely here.

The sheets, halyards and trim lines are led back below deck and inside to the two helm stations. Here, the helmsman can easily reach all the functions for setting and trimming the sails from his position. Additional winches for the gennaker and code zero are installed aft on the running deck and are also accessible to the helmsman. This means that the cockpit layout is essentially suitable for single-handed sailing, even with the additional room wind sails. Meanwhile, the cockpit for the guests sailing on board remains largely free of all functions.

Despite its size: a typical Saffier

Like all Saffier Yachts boats, the design for the new SL 46 was created by shipyard boss Dean Hennevanger in collaboration with naval architect Kees van de Stadt, who now works exclusively for the brand. The sporty and apparently very performance-orientated hull lines with the rather slender foredeck appear visually attractive and leave no doubt as to the yacht's origins. Despite the new, unusual size, the new boat is also clearly a typical Saffier Yachts product.

As standard, the boat is equipped with a fairly high aluminium rig from Seldén with rod shrouds and self-tacking jib. A carbon fibre rig and a furling boom are also available as options for both variants. For sporty use, a larger genoa with a 110 per cent overlap and hollow points on the cabin superstructure is also possible. The long bowsprit is made of carbon fibre and firmly laminated to the hull. A gennaker, a reacher or a code zero can be set on the trunk, depending on your wishes and course. The simple sail wardrobe (mainsail and jib) made of Dacron is also supplied as standard from the shipyard.

Conventional inside, but with variants

The hull and deck are built as GRP sandwich constructions with a hard foam core and vinyl ester resin, constructed using the vacuum infusion process. The keel area of the hull is fully laminated and is also reinforced with a solid steel frame, which absorbs the forces from the keel and the rig. This is new for Saffier. The L-shaped keel consists of a cast iron shaft and a lead ballast bomb. As an alternative to the standard keel with a draught of 2.20 metres, a longer T-shaped performance keel with a draught of 2.60 metres is also available. However, the ballast proportions remain the same for both variants.

The layout below deck has a conventional layout with two cabins aft, the owner's cabin forward, a spacious saloon area with navigation and galley and a spacious toilet room aft with separate shower area. As an option, buyers can also request an additional wet room in the foredeck. It will also be possible to have the aft cabin on the starboard side converted into a large forecastle, utility room or workshop for use as a blue water vessel.

Lots of boat, lots of money

The net sales price for an SL 46 is 950,000 euros. Including 19% VAT, the base price is therefore 1,130,500 euros. The North version is slightly more expensive: 1,160,250 euros gross. For these admittedly high prices, the buyer gets a boat that is already largely ready to sail, including a set of laminate sails (main and self-tacking jib) and including a very good, high-quality and complete basic equipment.

Technical data Saffier SL 46

• CE design category: A
• Designer: Dean Hennevanger/Caes van de Stadt
• Hull length: 13.75 m
• Overall length (with bowsprit): 14,90 m
• Width: 4.45 m
• Draught /alternative: 2.20 m (standard)/2.60 m (optional)
• Weight: 10.9 tonnes
• Ballast/proportion: 3.2 t/29 %
• Mast height above waterline: 22.6 m²
• Mainsail: 68.0 m²
• Self-tacking jib: 50.0 m²
• Code Zero: 163.0 m²
• Gennaker: 179 m²
• Motorisation: Built-in diesel Yanmar 45 hp/Saildrive

The other premieres at the boot Düsseldorf trade fair:

• Beneteau's hot First 30
• Something completely different: The amazing Wauquiez 55
• Blue is the new green: the exciting eco weekender from Grand Soleil
• The fastest boat of its size: the new Dragonfly 36
• The XR41 is set to shake up the ORC regatta scene
• Birdyfish S. The new entry-level foiler from France

More from Saffier Yachts in the test:

• Saffier Se 33 Life: sporty weekender for sailing fun in between
• Saffier Sc 6.50 Cruise: The successful new edition of a power dwarf in the test
• Saffier Se 24 Lite: Poison green daysailer from Holland put to the test