An aluminium deck saloon yacht designed for long voyages – at first glance, that sounds like a lot of weight, maximum robustness and a rather leisurely pace. However, the new Pure 42 from Kiel demonstrates that a distinct blue-water focus can be combined with surprisingly sporty sailing characteristics. The first part of our two-part video presentation focuses on the concept, the design, the handling under sail and the deck fittings.
At this point, you will find external content that complements the article. You can display and hide it with a click.
Pure Yachts is still a young brand. Following the larger custom-built models, the BM 50 and Pure 49, the 42 is the first model that the Kiel-based company is offering in a small production run. The concept is aimed at owners who wish to travel long distances in a comparatively compact yacht, but who do not wish to make any major compromises in terms of build quality, fittings or sailing performance. The design is correspondingly distinctive.
The Pure 42 was designed by Martin Menzner of Berckemeyer Yacht Design. With a hull length of 12.90 metres, it has an overall length of 13.80 metres and a beam of 4.20 metres. The hull is made of seawater-resistant aluminium and is currently still being built at Folmer Yachtbau in the Netherlands. Plates up to 15 millimetres thick are used in the underwater section, whilst significantly thinner materials are used on the freeboards and on deck. This saves weight. The cabin roof, on the other hand, is constructed as a lightweight GRP structure. As a result, the yacht weighs just around 9.7 tonnes ready to sail – a remarkably low figure for a cruising yacht of this size and design.
Go anywhere with a lifting keel
A key feature of the design is the hydraulic lifting keel. Its draught can be adjusted between 1.20 and 3.00 metres at the touch of a button. This not only allows access to shallower harbours and anchorages. With the keel raised, the yacht can also run aground on its keel and the two rudder blades. When extended, the deep T-keel with lead ballast also provides a high righting moment. The ballast accounts for around 34 per cent of the total weight.
This means the Pure 42 is well suited to active sailing. During the YACHT test off Barcelona, she proved agile, accelerated readily and, despite her consistent design philosophy, moved surprisingly swiftly. In winds of around twelve knots, the test boat achieved a speed of approximately 6.8 knots when sailing close-hauled. With the large overlapping genoa, the tack angle was around 85 degrees. However, hull number one was fitted with the optional performance package: a carbon-fibre mast, rod rig, laminate sails and additional sail area significantly enhance its potential.
Robust features for uncompromising performance
Even in the standard configuration, the sail plan remains versatile. As well as the mainsail, the package includes both an overlapping genoa and a smaller staysail. This makes it easy to reduce the sail area in stronger winds without having to roll up the large headsail too much. For long-distance sailing and small crews, this is a practical solution.
On deck, Pure Yachts has deliberately opted for high-quality, generously proportioned fittings. Sheets and trim lines are routed out of sight towards the stern to the two helm stations. Powerful electric winches are available there; additional drums for the Code Zero or gennaker are located further aft. Halyards and reefing lines, on the other hand, remain attached to the mast. The fittings are all sourced from well-known, high-quality manufacturers and appear slightly oversized rather than undersized – in keeping with the requirements of a robust long-distance cruiser.
Further links on this topic
Another striking feature is the sophisticated steering system. Both rudder blades are controlled by separate systems, ensuring redundancy in the event of a fault. On the test vessel, however, the mechanism was still rather stiff, and vibrations occurred in the rudder at higher speeds. There was still some fine-tuning required on build number one.
A saloon with an almost unrestricted all-round view
Finally, the deck saloon concept is a defining feature of the Pure 42. The cockpit and saloon are almost on the same level, whilst the large windows in the superstructure provide excellent all-round visibility. The yacht thus combines a sheltered, light-filled deckhouse with an open cockpit, without the traditional steep companionway between the two areas. The actual living areas are situated further forward and on a lower level.
In the second part of our video presentation, coming this Saturday, 15 August, on YACHT online, we’ll be showing exactly how the Kiel-based team have brought this unusual interior design to life, what solutions they’ve come up with for the cabins and storage spaces, and how the on-board technology is organised.
Technical specifications of the Pure 42
- Designer: Berckemeyer Yacht Design
- CE design category: A
- Fuselage length: 12.90 m
- Total length: 13.80 m
- Waterline length: 12.30 m
- Width: 4.20 m
- Draught (retractable keel): 1.20–3.00 m
- Mast height above water level: 18.20 m
- Theoretical fuselage speed: 8.7 knots
- Weight: 9.7 t
- Ballast/proportion: 3.3 t/34 per cent
- Mainsail (standard): 50.0 m²
- Furling genoa (106 %): 49.0 m²
- Stag jib: 24.0 m²
- Engine (Yanmar): 42 kW/57 PS
- Fuel tank (aluminium): 2 x 200 litres
- Fresh water tank (PVC): 300 litres
- Waste tank (PVC): 2 x 60 l
Michael Good
Editor Test & Technology