{"id":155386,"date":"2024-11-14T06:20:21","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T06:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/?post_type=review&p=155386"},"modified":"2025-04-25T16:35:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T15:35:53","slug":"yyachts-y8-calabash-review-sailing-this-designer-fast-cruiser","status":"publish","type":"review","link":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/reviews\/boat-tests\/yyachts-y8-calabash-review-sailing-this-designer-fast-cruiser","title":{"rendered":"YYachts Y8 Calabash review: Sailing this semi-custom, designer cruiser"},"content":{"rendered":"

This new generation YYachts Y8 is the Griefswald yard\u2019s third version of this 80ft size. The original, which helped launch the brand in 2015, was a Lorenzo Argento and David Copperfield design. Surge Projects\u2019 Javier Jaudenes, designer of WinWin<\/em> and the recent Baltic Caf\u00e9 Racer<\/a> series, then drew the replacement that launched two years ago, which he has now updated again including a new deck, structure and interior.<\/p>\n

The deck design and ergonomics had key input from a lead designer at Apple, who is also a Y7 owner. Having a top product designer fine-tune the details was enlightening.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe thinking is completely different from previous models \u2013 a different interpretation of the coachroof and the cockpit created by a design icon leader and a YYachts customer,\u201d founder Michael Schmidt explains.<\/p>\n

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A wide, flat spacious deck. Photo: Nico Martinez<\/p><\/div>\n

Minimalism<\/h2>\n

Schmidt owns this first new YYachts Y8, Calabash<\/em>, which has a very different interior, deliberately minimalist in the vast saloon to help emphasise the volumes. And in common with his recent new models, it has a Scandinavian architectural feel, this time thanks to renowned Danish designer David Thulstrup.<\/p>\n

The significant interior volume, which is 20% greater than its predecessor, helped the design team to offer a large variety of layouts, including owner\u2019s accommodation fore or aft. Jaudenes admits this was a challenge: \u201cto conceive an aesthetically pleasing vessel capable of accommodating four distinct layouts while maintaining essential structural elements.\u201d<\/p>\n

He has taken the max beam right aft to the transom, \u201cwith flared sides ensuring substantial hull stability and a generous garage space to accommodate a sizeable tender plus ample storage.\u201d<\/p>\n

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With the bimini fitted over the guest cockpit. Photo: Nico Martinez<\/p><\/div>\n

Calabash<\/em> is the first Y-series without a lifting aft deck hatch over the garage (the helms are further aft which prevents this), however the garage can still house a Williams 4.95m jet tender. Also gone are the twin engines in favour of a single block below the saloon \u2013 this huge soleboard section is now a showpiece that lifts on rams.<\/p>\n

Where the Y7 is designed to be able to sail by an owner-driver (perhaps with a skipper to help occasionally), the YYachts Y8 is managed by two permanent crew, so there is increased separation between them and the owner\u2019s area.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to make our boats acceptable, understandable and appreciable to motorboat owners,\u201d says managing director Tijl Hetterschijt, who was aboard for our sail trial. He likens this mentality to that of electric car owners \u2013 \u201ckeeping it uncomplicated is key\u201d and says it\u2019s therefore a more similar setup to the YYachts Y7<\/a> than the YYachts Y9<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Article continues below…<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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