SOUTHERLY 42RST

For versatile adventure, there are plenty of go-anywhere cruisers on the market, as Duncan Kent discovers

- Duncan Kent

Originally designed by the Rob Humphreys Design house, together with Northshore Yacht’s own in-house development team, as the twin-ruddered Southerly 42RS (Raised Saloon), it wasn’t long before she was reconfigured to have twin wheels (RST) as well, by completely redesigning the deck.

Every aspect of the Southerly 42RST’s construction reflected the highest standards of British craftsmanship at that time. Northshore incorporated its Nordseal triple layer laminating system, specifically devised to protect against osmosis that is, unusually, finished with a transparent gelcoat. All structural bulkheads are also bonded to the hull to ensure optimum rigidity.

Her modern plumb stem increases waterline length and a broad transom maintains volume aft, for increased performance and interior volume. Twin, semi-balanced rudders offer responsive steering and precise directional stability under sail, although they make close-quarter manoeuvring tricky under power without the optional bow thruster. A solid skeg not only protects the prop from floating debris, but also provides a robust support when drying out, keeping the rudders off the ground.

The piece de resistance of all Southerly yachts is, of course, their famous swing keel. Below the waterline, the hull is solid laminate and is very heavily reinforced around the keel area, which features an inset cavity designed to contain a vast, bolt-on ballast plate. The latter protrudes beneath the hull bottom just enough to enable her to take the ground without damaging the hull. The topsides and deck are balsa-cored for weight saving and improved insulation properties.