SAGA 43 #42 (ex)

Windshear

I just heard the news... congratulations!  I owned a 43 and might be 
interested in a 48 down the line.  Will you be offering a different 
saloon layout from the previous Saga 48?

The boat was a rocket ship in light air.  When having it delivered from Fiji the captain estimated a certain time for the trip considering the forecast for light air during most of the passage.  He arrived two weeks early!

We hit a rough patch outside New Zealand with winds reaching force 9.  The boat handled the steep breaking beam seas easily.  It felt planted and safe.  When we finally had to run off back to Opua, the boat never even hinted at broaching.  I felt so safe on her.  We also had to surf over sand bars on three occasions to reach sheltered bays on our way south and again the boat never even tried to broach even with breaking waves all around. 

Wiring was well labeled and easy to understand.

The boat had relatively little windage, a great help in docking in heavy air.

Crewmate who was NOT allowed to steer, navigate, or alter course in any way took the helm one night while I was asleep below and rammed the boat full speed directly into a shelf reef in Fiji.  I backed her off the reef and was able to look at the keel the next day.  There was cosmetic damage on the bulb and some cracking around the keel to hull joint.   The hull was undamaged.  The keel bolts were not bent or even loosened.  I feel lucky the keel wasn’t ripped from the boat.  Obviously the hull structure and keel box were built incredibly strong.

For a 43 footer, the cockpit was huge.  It was the primary reason I chose a saga.  As a diver and underwater filmmaker this was a huge plus.  I could dive comfortably along with three other people, including all of their scuba gear and my camera.  The step through transom didn’t hurt either. 

The huge galley was wonderful.

I loved that the aft bunk was wide enough to sleep athwart ships.  Much more pleasant in a seaway.

When the conditions were perfect between the Marquesas and Tonga, the boat heeled gently and cleaved through the water effortlessly.  It was so pleasurable to be on an easily driven hull with a fine entry that sliced its way through the surface of the ocean rather than pushing a big bow wave.  I never got tired of watching the quietly elegant manner in which this exceptional hull design made its way through the clear blue water of the South Pacific.

Thank you and I wish you great success with the Saga designs.

— Steve Clark , Steve Clark Films / March 2009

 

SAGA 43 #4

Firecracker

Congratulations,

It is very exciting to hear that the Saga line will once again be in production. Ginnie Seccombe, my partner in life and in the "Firecracker" our Saga 43 (#4), could not be happier with our boat. We are home ported in Newport, RI with plans to head south in a year or so.

It is rare that two people can board a sailboat they researched extensively but have only seen once for a few hours during a survey and short sea trial, sail away on a four day delivery home and learn to love and respect the boat as much as we have. Each day we have learned to admire the boat more and more. Her excellent construction, the warm interior, the large cockpit and the pullman berth that we appreciated on our first visit gave way to other exceptional qualities.

The cockpit is definitely unique. We constantly talk about the family and friends who have comfortably joined us on cruises. The interior layout and finish, the galley and the vast storage got Ginnie’s attention and Ted recognized Bob Perry’s influence in the superb hull design, interior layout and clean functional deck arrangements. Perry’s design and Saga’s attention to detail in designing and installing systems was ahead of its time.

As we sailed on our maiden passage we were learning the boat systems. We laughed when we realized that every assumed flaw ended up being related to our own human error and when recognized caused us to be recommitted to our pride in Firecracker. The systems were installed to be easy to service and intuitive to a new owner.

We looked long and hard to find a boat that fulfilled our dream of cruising long distances and still be livable. One of our requirements was for our next boat to have a self tending jib, not one retrofitted to be ‘in style’, but one designed to do the job, thank you Mr. Perry, job well done. The variable geometry rig has proven to be perfect for our needs. Add to that the asymmetrical spinnaker and the term ‘Performance Cruising’ becomes reality.

Please feel free to keep us updated with any news from Saga, we are most interested in your success.

Again, we wish you the best of luck with the new Saga line..

—Ted Mercier & Ginnie Seccombe, Jamestown, RI / Jan. 2009

 

SAGA 43 #10

Pandora

I have been sailing for over 30 years and two years ago I moved up from a Tartan 37 to SAGA 43 #10. I really love the boat and have found it to be a terrific performer in all sorts of conditions. One observation in particular is that I am using my motor much less than I did with my Tartan. While both were designed as performance cruisers, the SAGA performs substantially better in light air as well as heavy conditions. When the wind gets light it is quite amazing how well she performs and when we are headed into a heavy chop I am able to keep sailing as opposed to turning on the engine and motor sailing, something that I had to do often with my Tartan. The famous “Buzzards Bay Chop” was a real problem for my Tartan but Pandora just cuts right through it. It’s clear that Perry’s use of a really long waterline makes a really big difference in performance in heavy conditions.

On deliveries between Annapolis and Long Island Sound as well as to Maine my crew, many who have lots of offshore experience, marvel at how well the boat handles tough conditions.

I just can’t say enough about the SAGA 43 design and am very happy to run my engine less since she sails so well. The only downside it seems is that I had to add solar panels to keep my batteries up to snuff, not a bad tradeoff.

What a great boat! — Bob Osborne / Sept. 2008

 

SAGA 43 #53

NO SE'

"SUPER BOAT...WE WOULD DO IT AGAIN!!!"

—Pat and Duane Marshall / Sept. 2008

 

SAGA 43 #30

Discovery

We have been cruising on our Saga 43 continuously for three and a half years. Our travels after leaving Michigan via the St Lawrence and Lake Champlain have included three trips to the Bahamas from the Chesapeake with one trip up to Maine. After completing our last trip to the Bahamas, we continued south and are now in Trinidad.

We have found the Saga to be comfortable at sea as well as at anchor. In our opinion our boat speed whether sailing or motoring is as good or maybe the best of any 43-foot cruising boat.

We have found the layout of accommodations and gear very friendly for the cruising couple. The standard equipment and available options such as the anchoring system, arch and davits significantly simplify cruising. We have owned two other Perry designed boats and found the up keep on the Saga simpler than maintaining teak on our previously boats.

—Carl and Marilyn Thoreson / Sept. 2008

 

SAGA 43 #45

Bayou Baby

Why the 3rd Bayou Baby was a SAGA 43!

READ THE PDF

—Rex and Susan Maugans / July 2007

 

SAGA 43 #51

Czech Mate

"Ode to a Saga 43"

READ THE PDF

—Glenn M. Davis / Sept. 2008

 

SAGA 43 #31

Voltaire

I love my Saga 43 which I have owned since 2001. It's easy to sail singlehanded, it sails well in light winds, is a sturdy cruising vessel (I'm a cruiser, not a racer), and is easy to care for. VoltAire is currently in Rio Dulce, Guatemala being re-powered from an electric hybrid system back to conventional diesel. I am a single female who feels comfortable cruising in this boat.

The main negatives were the rudder bearings, which I (and several other owners have needed to replace) and chronic leaky fixed portlights (no matter how many times these are rebedded, replaced and resealed, they eventually leak, and ruin the wood below).

My boat is a shoal draft keel, which could benefit from an additional shoe to increase the stiffness and dancing at anchor.

Other than that, the SAGA is a great boat.

—Ursula Loucks / Sept. 2008

 

SAGA 43 #32

Swept Away

Hi Terrence,

I am the owner of hull 32 (Swept Away). She is a great sailing boat in light and heavy airs. It responds to tweaking amazingly well. The interior amenities are well laid out and high quality equipment was used throughout. The boat is exceptionally dry in rough seas. The design is a winner, very few boats in her size range can keep up with her under sail or under power. The boat like anything else is not perfect however minor modifications during the build would address the minor problems.

Best Wishes,

—Dan Douenias / Sept. 2008

 

SAGA 43 #28

Alcid

Don't know if you have heard but Alcid did the Saga name proud and was first to finish in both the St. Augustine to Bermuda race and the Bermuda to the Azores run. We beat an Oyster 62 a Beneteau 48 and a whole lot of 40-45 footers. The new keel is superb and we're going so fast that some of the boats thought we were a catamaran! We hit 13.6 knots surfing—a new record for our boat!

—Frank & Gail in Horta


SAGA 43 #2

Dreamcatcher

“My Saga 43, Dreamcatcher, is without a doubt the best of the nine sailboats that I have owned, or that have been in my family. She can comfortably do eight plus knots whether under sail or motor. I like the fact that I can single handle her which I frequently do when I want that feeling of sheer joy and peace that comes from being alone at sea with a good boat. Thank you for making my dreams come true. I love my SAGA! Thank you for making it possible!"

—William T. Rich IIII

SAGA 43 #7

Wind Seeker II

“You know that my requirements for boat selection prior to this trip were 1) safety, and 2) performance, especially upwind. I am extremely pleased to report that our Saga 43 excelled in both categories. At no time, in spite of 50 plus knots of wind and 20 foot seas at times, did we feel out of control or in danger. Steering and directional control were always predictable and easy, with none of the fighting of the wheel that I've known from other boats. The upwind performance truly exceeded expectations (even though my expectations were high). Several times boats (heading south or anchored) would hail us on the VHF, and compliment us on how we looked and the speed we were making.

After 15,000 miles with this boat, neither my wife or I would hesitate to take off again with Wind Seeker II across an ocean. The safety, comfort, pride in exceptional performance and self-sufficiency were ideal for the two of us.”

—Bruce Macdonald


SAGA 43 #4

Solar Wind

“We found Saga 43 to be very easy to handle especially for two people or even single handed. It self steers nicely on all points of sail with very little helm as well and handles beautifully in all types of seas. Down below the craftsmanship is exemplary and one of the reasons I fell in love with the Saga. It is obvious that the people at Saga care about their product.” 

 —Karen and Larry Lee


Shelia May

“Shelia May really was a joy to drive and to surf with the large following seas. The reefing set up from the cockpit made controlling the main very easy. The large cockpit, large wheel, elegant below decks, more than adequate storage, and the galley layout made the passage comfortable. At no time did I feel threatened or insecure about the performance of the Saga 43.”

—Michael Denham

 

SAGA 43 #19

Kinship

Tim and crew completed the 1999 Carribean 1500. “A wonderful experience. We beat many larger boats by days. The crew sailed the boat hard, the boat tracked like a dream and came off the waves perfectly.”

—Tim Szabo


SAGA 43 #20

Still the Bear

“The boat has nice creature comforts yet still goes fast, which is one reason we wanted this particular yacht. In broadreaching, with the reacher out, we've seen 10 knots on the speedo. A fabulous boat, great for two people to handle.”

 

SAGA 43 #5

Bold Spirit

“When sailing, sailors are always concerned about getting places 1st. We always have a moment of silent glee as we walk away from others. The Saga is a quality built fast cruiser.

"We have completed a successful summer cruise in our new SAGA 43, Bold Spirit, hull # 5.

"We want to thank the crew at SAGA for the work you've done to make Bold Spirit a success. We are sure that at times we seemed to ask a lot, what with custom interior, other non standard items and our drive to get the final details right. This Summer we got the payoff: The SAGA's performance is remarkable for a cruising boat, especially in light to moderate air; the sail handling gear makes it possible to handle the large sail plan with ease under most conditions and the accommodation is very comfortable."

—John Heinz, Ted Heinz

(905) 397-3115

Helm@SagaYachts.com