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| Modern styling, designed by experience. Saga 409. March was a very challenging weather month in the Northwest, but we managed to sneak out for a sail with Tom Cooper and Terry Cady of Seacraft Yacht Sales aboard the Saga 409. Designer Tony Castro has gone against the trend for wider, beamier yachts and chosen to use a narrower (12'6") hull, figuring the easily driven hull will provide better performance both under power and sail. Indeed, the boat moved well in a moderate breeze with a solid, steady feel. Thought has been given to the helmsman's position with comfortable seating at either of the two wheels. With the primary winches located just forward of the wheels, it was very easy to drive the boat and adjust the jib from the helm. The steering itself seemed a little stiff, but was attributed to the added resistance of the autopilot cylinder. Actually, it proved to be rather nice as the wheel stayed where you put it. Nice for those long, summer passages. The dual wheels really open up the cockpit, allowing for a clear passage from the stern to the cockpit. Seating throughout the cockpit was comfortable with a nice high coamings giving support and security. Stowage in the port lazarettes is humongous. There's even a place to hang your wet clothes. The interior is quite bright, with multiple hatches and the "windscreen" providing lots of light to show off the cherry wood interior. The opening hatches are a bit small for air circulation but all hatches had integrated screens on them for leaving them open all summer without worrying about the Yellowjackets in the San Juans. The boat is designed for a cruising couple, with quarters in the bow. The single head can be accessed from either the front stateroom or the main salon. The head features an enclosed shower, a nice treat for any cruiser. Aft to port is another double bunk for guests, kids or "stuff." The layout of the main salon is standard, with the galley aft of the settee. Across from the galley is the separate nav station. Everything is quite commodious, without forgetting that this boat is meant to be sailed. Handholds on the cabin ceiling and elsewhere provide security in rough seas or a wake-filled anchorage. On that practical note, there is lots of tankage for fuel and water. With a narrower hull, this weight is in the center of the boat, providing stability along with the bulb keel. I liked the easy access to the engine. You could do a lot of maintenance without having to take out the stairs to get at filters, etc. Construction of the hull and deck is balsa core with "specially developed Dupont laminate of KevlarŪ E-glass," combined with vinylester resin. Under power the boat handled very well. We backed into the slip with some crosswind with no trouble. With the double wheel, however, the shift/throttle is only convenient to one wheel, however, experience should take care of that. Without having a lot of frills, the Saga 409 provides comfort and practicality in a boat that definitely was designed to be at home away from the dock. Thanks to Tom and Terry of Seacraft Yacht Sales, for the sail. For more information visit the Saga 409 website: ... continue to page two |