The topic of variable draughts is notoriously unpopular with the Dutch. This is probably due to the fact that most waters in the Netherlands are equally deep, or rather, equally shallow. However, Winner Yachts in Medemblik now wants to respond to the demand for adjustable draught hull appendages and has come up with something very special as a variant for the Winner 8 (YACHT 22/2014 test).
As the Winner 8 - D (D stands for Daggerboards), the attractive and versatile compact cruiser is now also available in a version with retractable profiles. The special thing about it: Winner has fitted not just one, but two asymmetrically shaped centreboards to the boat. The profiles are inserted right through the outside of the hull. As the Dutch company explains, this means that the interior remains largely unchanged and unobstructed compared to the standard boat with a fixed keel. This means: no central centreboard box and no keel box, as on a boat with a lifting keel, for example.
To ensure that the boat still has sufficient righting moment despite the lack of keel and ballast, the Winner 8 - D is fitted with an internal ballast of around one tonne of counterweight. And, the centreboard version has a slightly lighter mast profile than the standard boat. The sail plan, however, remains unchanged. As a daggerboard boat and thanks to the retractable rudder blades, the draught on the Winner 8 - D can be reduced from a maximum of 1.50 metres to just 35 centimetres. This helps when trailering and when slipping the boat over a ramp. The Winner 8 - D is specified as a centreboard version without a built-in engine. The customer should choose whether he wants a built-in engine (diesel or electric) or an outboard drive.
The prototype of the Winner 8 - D is currently still under construction. The series boat should be available from June 2016. The Dutch are quoting a gross base price of 81,130 euros for the market launch. This is almost 6,000 euros more than the standard boat with a fixed keel (75,230 euros). The Winner 8 is also available in a performance version with a deep keel (1.50 metre draught), higher mast and more sail area. This sports version costs 80,150 euros.
