The owner of the Puffin Yachts brand is also its designer: Olivier van Meer. Together with the shipyard VMG Yachtbuilders in Enkhuizen on the IJsselmeer, the well-known naval architect has now thoroughly revised the Puffin concept once again. The first new model of the new Puffin generation, the 42, was completed and handed over to the owner just a few weeks ago.
Puffin's robust blue water yachts are characterised by their pronounced tumblehome hulls, the heart-shaped, positive stern and the angular, two-stage cabin superstructure with the striking wheelhouse. The voluminous bow with the raised stern and the striking deck moulding also characterise the appearance of Olivier van Meer's unique designs. The visual appearance is striking, equally appealing and represents classic Dutch yacht building in a special way. If you like: a mixture of traditional flat-bottomed boats and modern ocean-going yachts.
Integral ballast centreboard or fixed keel
The Puffin yachts are rigged as Bermuda cutters. They have a high rig, a stay jib and a furling jib that is attached to the long bowsprit. The new Puffin 42 also adopts this special, very effective sail plan, which offers many advantages, especially on long strokes and when sailing under a beam. Owners can choose whether they want the boat as a long keel with an integrated aluminium ballast centreboard with NACA profile or with a fixed keel and lead ballast. The version with flexible hull appendages is suitable for dry-docking and sailing in areas with shallow draughts.
On earlier yachts in the Puffin range, the rudder blade was attached at the rear as a design feature typical of the brand and the boat could be steered either by wheel or tiller. In the new Puffin 42, the rudder blade is now built under the boat and can also be folded up in the swing keel version.
Everything is feasible - within the realms of possibility
Anyone who decides in favour of a Puffin also acquires a high degree of individuality. The name stands for the shipyard's almost unlimited flexibility in catering to customers' special wishes. Every Puffin is therefore largely a customised yacht based on an existing design. Of course, this also applies to the interior below deck. The aluminium construction generally allows much more flexibility in terms of the design and layout below deck. The hull and deck are assembled by VMG Yachtbuilders from seawater-resistant aluminium panels in a round bilge.
Olivier van Meer's office has announced three models for the new generation of Puffin yachts. In addition to the new Puffin 42, a 50 and a 58 are also planned. In addition, the flagship will be available in a special Explorer version for particularly demanding routes and for adventure voyages into the Arctic Ocean.
The detailed test of the Puffin 42 will be published in one of the next issues of YACHT. Until then, you can see the first photos of the test in ideal conditions in the extensive picture gallery above.
Technical data Puffin 42
- Hull length: 13.03 m
- Overall length with bowsprit: 15.39 m
- Waterline length: 11.77 m
- Width 4.20 m
- Draught with fixed keel: 2.20 m
- Draught with ballast centreboard: 1.27 - 2.73 m
- Weights: 16.5 tonnes (swing keel) / 15.0 tonnes (fixed keel)
- Mast height above waterline: 19.50 m
- Sail area downwind: 120.60 m2
- Motorisation: Yanmar (80 hp)
- Diesel fuel capacity: 525 litres
- Fresh water capacity: 480 litres
- CE design category: A
Further links on the topic
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology
