The small cruiser from Wales bears the unmistakable characteristics of Swallow Yachts: a classic clinker look, a strong deck with a high bow. The ballast centreboard and folding rudder blade are also typical of the shipyard and make the Baycruiser 21 the perfect trailer boat and attractive for tidal or shallow water areas. With an unladen weight of 600 kilograms, the boat is quite light. The 400 kilos of water in the ballast tank provide the righting moment. To fill it, the cap behind the mainsheet must be unscrewed and the plug underneath opened. As the tank cap is above the waterline in the cockpit floor, there is no risk of water running into the boat. Before trailering out of the water or when there is little wind, the tank can be drained using a hand pump.
The rig is made of carbon fibre as standard, which ensures a low top weight and makes it easy for one person to lay the mast. The stays are made of Dyneema, there are no spreaders or a backstay. This means that the mainsail can be heavily flared. The track for the mast slides is part of the luffing gear at the lower 30 centimetres, so the cloth can remain hoisted on the main boom when it is taken down. There is even a fitting on the companionway to secure the sail and boom for transport in the cockpit. This means you don't have to thread in all the mast slides individually after rigging. Super practical! The extendable gennaker pole offers space for a gennaker or furling code zero.
There is enough space below deck for two people. A chemical toilet can also be accommodated. The inlay cushions for the footwell can be hung up at the side and then become backrests. With the optional sprayhood and cake stand, the very spacious cockpit is completely covered. The galley is also housed in the port side locker. This turns the boat, which is only 6.02 metres long and 2.18 metres wide, into a cosy small cruiser.
The basic price is quoted by the shipyard at £27,650. At the current exchange rate plus VAT, this adds up to 38,568 euros. Extras such as engine, sprayhood, upholstery, rubbing strakes and lighting are added on top.
Technical data Baycruiser 21
- Designer: Matt Newland/Swallow Yachts
- Hull length: 6.02 metres
- Waterline length: 5.67 metres
- Width: 2.18 metres
- Draught: 1.50 metres/0.25 metres (made up)
- Weight (empty): 600 kilograms
- Water ballast: 400 kilograms
- Sail area: 19 square metres
