New releases in the under seven metre boat segment are unfortunately rare and the Milan struck a chord when it was launched just over a year ago. In the test, the boat proved to be versatile for after-work sailing, day trips for experienced sailors and also as a good-natured training boat (Click here for the test report). Thanks to the ballast keel, it sails safely and is practically impossible to capsize. Nevertheless, it sails agilely. The keel can be raised for slipping, making trailering easy. With the name change to Neptun 220 DC, there are also some new features on the boat.
The Neptun 220 DC continues to be built by the Neptun-Yachten shipyard in East Westphalia. The company celebrated its 60th anniversary last year and continues to focus on dinghies and small cruisers to this day. The Neptun 22 with lifting roof was a hit in the 1970s and was once the best-selling yacht in Europe.
New keel for shallow waters
A lot has been revised and added to the Neptun 220 DC: the keel design is new and now offers a version with 185 kilograms of ballast and a draught of 1.10 metres, as well as a version with a draught of just 65 centimetres and 350 kilograms. Theoretically, the keels can even be swapped with each other if a change of area to shallower waters is required. A jibing device is also designed to make it much easier to set the mast and make the boat ready to sail just ten minutes after slipping. The deck has been redesigned and now weighs an impressive 50 kilograms less. The rudder blade and fittings have also been redesigned and an electric pod drive is now available for propulsion. An extendable gennaker pole with a length of 1.05 metres is now also integrated into the bow. A 30 square metre gennaker can be used on this.
Production now entirely in Germany
The biggest innovation, however, is that all hulls since build number five are manufactured in Germany by Neptun and no longer in Poland. And further innovations are planned. This is indicated by the abbreviation DC in the new name. It stands for Day Cruiser and characterises the boat with the very spacious cockpit well. A version is planned that also offers overnight accommodation, making the Neptun 220 suitable for trips lasting several days.
Previously, the space under the foredeck was only intended as storage space. The height was not sufficient for overnight stays and the hatches did not offer good access. This is set to change with the touring version. However, Pascal Ernst, who runs Neptun Yachten together with his wife Scarlett Ernst, has not yet revealed exactly what it will look like and when it will be launched.
Michael Rinck
Redakteur Test & Technik
