Altair

This was our first summer sailing Altair our new Saga 48, hull number one. It was an exciting, learning experience and a great deal of fun.

We have been extremely lucky having owned several sailboats and enjoyed some fantastic sailing adventures over the years. An Ericson 29 that carried me down the east coast and through the Bahamas, a C&C 34 which we raced on Long Island Sound, a Tayana 37 that we cruised from NY to Maine and introduced us to blue water sailing during a trip from NY to Bermuda and back. Our Tayana 52 Sojourner was home during a two year circumnavigation and a couple of summers of cruising in New England. The last boat was a Gulfstar 44 which we sold in 1999.

After three years without a boat it was time for another boat and we are ready go cruising again. We have enough sailing experience to understand what we wanted our new boat. Sound construction, well thought out and installed systems, easier sail handling, sufficient water and fuel for long range cruising. We also wanted above average speed in a boat in the 50 foot range. One last thing, no teak to varnish.

The Saga 48 has more than met our expectations in all of these areas and looks great at we approach it at anchor. In the light winds we experienced this summer on the Chesapeake Bay we achieved design speeds on all points of sail. I can’t talk about heavy weather work yet because we never saw wind above 25Kn true.

Based on the way the boat handled in the wind we had I am confident that we will find that the boat handles well in heavier air. All of the systems have functioned well and we have had very few warrantee issues. I think this is remarkable when you consider that this is hull number 1. Saga has corrected the problems quickly and insured that we were totally satisfied every step of the way.

Some key points that have impressed us in sailing Altair this summer. The boat is extremely easy to handle both sailing and motoring. Quantum Sails built a large roach fully battened main for us and we have found that we can sail up wind quite quickly with that and the self tacking jib. It is nice to tack and not have to trim a 135% jib. We now sail instead of motoring in situations where we need to do a lot of short tacking. The generator is so quiet that we don’t realize its running. I enjoy having two wheels in the cockpit, it makes sitting to leeward and steering very easy and it leaves the center of the cockpit open and easy to walk through.

All in all this has been a very exciting learning experience and we are looking forward to our trip to Nova Scotia and then to the Caribbean next year.

Richard Palm
Oxford, Maryland

The First Summer on our Saga 48, a second opinion

This was our first summer sailing experience on our new Saga 48, hull number one. It was an exciting, learning experience.

I was nervous. Our last boat was a floating condo, a Gulfstar 44, and though we had sailed a Tayana 52 around the world 13 years ago (when I was a young and agile 42), I was nervous that I couldn't meet the physical requirements of another big boat designed to go fast.

The Saga 48 is a dream. Those electric winches exercised my fingers (but nothing else). The endless cranking of the winch for the roller furling line to bring in the genoa is gone. The full battened main goes up with a push of a button, fast speed at first and then slow speed for the last few feet.

The self-tacking working jib makes tacking a non-event, started and finished by a simple turn of one of the wheels at the helm. And, it's surprising how fast the boat moves with just that small jib and the main. We will use it much more than we used the staysail on the Tayana 52.

Trips down below and back to get the paper charts and check the radar have been replaced by the integrated Raytheon chartplotter/GPS.radar screens at the navstation and in the cockpit. While I will still admit that paper charts give me a certain comfort in new situations, and we always carry them, the cockpit screen is growing on me. The instant reference to navigation buoys and waypoints totally eliminates possible miscommunications and delays caused by the more traditional screams from the navstation below to the helmsman on deck.

And all that gives me more time to hold our six month old grandson, who seems to think sailing around in his brand new life jacket is pretty terrific.

Julie Palm
Oxford, Maryland

After the anchor is set

The social part of cruising, after the anchor is down, is an essential ingredient for life aboard. We love to entertain. In our view, there are two critical factors for a successful entertainment center:
• A cockpit that seats at least 8-10 comfortably
• A galley within earshot of the cockpit so that the chef for the evening misses none of the conversation.

The Saga 48 excels in both criteria.

The cabin bulwark makes for a comfortable back rest to those facing aft in the cockpit. The steering stations make a comfortable back rest for those facing forward. Behind the helm on each side, each corner of the cockpit makes a slightly elevated area for sitting, taking advantage of the evening breeze.

The cockpit table is the center of the cockpit entertainment area. Two large leafs open to allow a lavish display of hors d'ourvres or dinner for six, whichever the evening calls for.

A "cave" connects the dodger to the bimini on top and is finished off with screen or plastic sides to extend the season comfortably. The oil lamp, hanging from the bimini frame adds a warm glow to an evening's festivities.

Down below, the galley's four burner Force 10 stove, deep, double sink, convenient counter tops, and plentiful refrigeration and freezer space allows preparation of any meal we might prepare at home. And, always within earshot of the cockpit, so no cocktail-hour stories are lost on the cook.

Sandy Raskin
Oxford, Maryland
September 2003