I like the Figaro type designs. I'd trade my Etchells for
one. I'd love to sail one to check it out.

I also like lifting keels. How can you argue with a
shoal draft when you need it, and the ability to trailer it
off a ramp? Still I wonder how well the lifting keel
would hold up under heavy use.

I know I'd get a lot more sailing in, at different venues,
if I could trailer it somewhere for a weekend and
launch it off a ramp, and rig it easily.

The Figaro is just over 10' wide so that makes
trailering a headache. I wish they kept the beam, at
least under 10 feet, or better yet a bit narrower. That
wide beam is nice but limits the other attributes of the boat.



"DSK" wrote
Now you've got me interested... the south east US has many shallow areas,
a lifting keel is a great idea.

I will tell you first that I have not sailed the Beneteau 25.7 or the
27.7, but I have sailed the 36.7 of the same model series. Right now I
think they're importing the 34.7 as the "10R" maybe planning to build it
in the US. The two boats have different proportions, the 27.7 is wider &
flatter aft... it looks like the older Figaro design.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King