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T&T - NewsTest First 27.7

Fridtjof Gunkel

 · 04.05.2003

T&T - News: Test First 27.7Photo: K. Schubert
First 27.7
How Bénéteau brings a breath of fresh air to the scene

The French shipyard is causing a furore with its new First 27.7. The ship, which had already attracted a lot of attention in the run-up to its launch, won the title of "European Yacht of the Year" before the majority of the judges had even sailed the boat.

The boat is designed for performance with a high sail carrying capacity and state-of-the-art lines, but not for a specific handicap system. Special features include the attached rudder, a lifting keel and a gennaker pole that can be extended on deck, although a spinnaker system is also available as an option. The open-plan interior is compact, but still cosy enough for a boat of this size.

The new YACHT (on newsstands from 7 May) features the first in-depth test of Bénéteau's new hopeful.

Fridtjof Gunkel

Fridtjof Gunkel

Deputy Chief Editor YACHT

Fridtjof Gunkel was born on Helgoland in 1962; he started his sailing career there in the Opti and quickly switched to keelboats. North Sea Week, Cowes Week and Kiel Week were early stops, followed by many years in the Admiral's Cup scene on the cuppers “Container” and “Rubin” World Championships and international regattas in the Starboat, with the mini-maxi “SiSiSi” and various tonner yachts as well as participation in the Whitbread Round the World Race were further formative stations, flanked by extensive cruising trips. Fridtjof Gunkel joined YACHT back in 1985 as part of a traineeship, where he later became Head of the Test & Technology department and then Deputy Editor-in-Chief around 25 years ago. He is also responsible for the regatta and sports section. Fridtjof Gunkel privately sails a performance/cruiser moored on the Baltic coast, his favorite areas are the eastern Swedish archipelago and Brittany.

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