The Italians of the new Neo Yachts brand have already won big with their full-carbon racer Neo 400. Amongst other things, the boat skippered by shipyard boss Paolo Semeraro has attracted attention in the Rolex Middle Sea Race 2014 with an excellent third place in the final ranking, across all categories and according to both IRC and ORCi handicap.
The shipyard is now presenting a smaller version, the Neo 350, and designer Giovanni Ceccharelli has given the new boat the same DNA as its bigger sister. The 350 also has a strong focus on performance according to ORCi and IRC measurements. Depending on the handicap system, the boat can be equipped with a spinnaker (ORCi) or a larger gennaker (IRC). A fixed bowsprit is also fitted for the asymmetric downwind sail. Water ballast tanks with a capacity of 350 litres each are also available for sailors who like to cover long distances.
Unlike its bigger sister, the Neo 350 is no longer built entirely from carbon fibre - the hull and deck are sandwich constructions with a foam core and epoxy resins, built using the vacuum infusion process. The Neo 350 is available in two different versions. The racing version for 223,700 euros (gross, without sails) has a carbon rig, tiller steering and carbon fibre bulkheads. The more moderate cruise version comes in a simpler version with only an aluminium rig and double wheel steering on request. An optional self-tacking jib is also available. The standard boat in the touring version costs 172,550 euros (including VAT, but also without sails and without electronics).
For the interior, NeoYachts presents an extremely exciting, innovative living concept (loft version) with a rare dinette in the foredeck. Thanks to the lowerable saloon table, the open area at the front can be used both as a seating area and as a double berth. If the upholstery is removed, regatta sailors can of course also use the foredeck as a sail stowage area. Alternatively, the Neo 350 is available in a more conventional layout with a double berth forward and a conventional saloon in the centre. And for the stern, the customer can choose between layout variants with one or two separate cabins.
The shipyard Neo Yachts Composites in Bari, southern Italy, is currently building the prototype of the Neo 350, which should be afloat and sailing by summer 2015. Neo Yachts is apparently also working on a 55-foot boat. However, the shipyard is currently keeping details of this under wraps.
