Reviewing the Privilege 43 - Southwinds, January 2002

- Local News for Southern Sailors - January 2002 Next Story

Reviewing the Privilege 43
By Charles E. Kanter

April 26, 1992. The weather report was ominous. A cold front was moving in from the north as we left Port Everglades, FL, bound for Bimini in the Bahamas. The wind had already backed to the northeast and was gusting to 15 knots.

Into that situation the Privilege 43 Expectations—with owner and wife aboard, myself as skipper, assisted by my partner Corinne—departed South Florida. Crossing the Gulf Stream is not taken lightly. Some passages are better than others, but all crossings get proper respect. When the wind blows from the north quadrant, the stream humps up huge steep seas...a classic, wind-against-tide situation.

The vectored course line from Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini has a considerable southerly component, thus making the wave situation even worse. If a catamaran is going to pound its bridgedeck, this is the time it will do it. Expectations did not pound.

Following winds prevented us from appreciating the potential sailing ability. Sailing downwind is no test of any vessel except those particular seakeeping abilities. Expectations handled the downwind sleigh ride in good fashion. She never had any tendency to broach, never pounded the bottom, never felt insecure at the leeward bow, and had a soft ride. I did not get full opportunity to put the boat through its sailing paces until later as a more urgent need was arriving at Bimini before the front came through.

The steering felt a little mushy. I believe the rudders are too small. This seems to be an industry tendency because designers design the rudders for higher speeds than the users actually achieve. From a close quarters handling perspective, this is not a problem because maneuvering is done with the engines.

The deck layout shows the charter boat concept. Its design is for a maximum of passenger creature comfort with a minimum of crew intrusion. Much design went into making the passengers happy. There are large lounging areas both in the cockpit and on the foredeck trampolines. Below, there is sufficient space and amenities to please any passenger.

The stern quarter helm location is ideal for a charter boat. It keeps the operation of the vessel clearly separated from the passengers. The passengers can come and go with little worry about tripping over lines or interfering with the helmsman. On the other hand, forward visibility is so poor we almost ran into a freighter leaving Port Everglades.

Being a charter boat, this Privilege 43 has cabins everywhere—five double cabins and five heads. The cabin in the central nacelle is designed so the crew are separated from passengers, an ideal setup with maximum privacy for all. There is also a three-cabin/master suite private owner option. Since this vessel, Privilege (Jeantot Marine) has come out with a multitude of other models.