When we developed the HopYacht 30 concept, a key part of the design brief was to ensure that the boat was exceptionally easy to handle. Ideally, a single sail with all control lines led to the cockpit to make single-handed sailing very straightforward.

Geoff Meek, from the North Sails loft in Cape Town, South Africa, took on the challenge of creating the sail plan. He had experience working on a comparable rig for a 60’ catamaran and was enthusiastic about making sure that the HopYacht 30 had excellent all-around sailing capabilities with a single sail.
The result is a low profile Genoa, swept much further aft than a traditional boat, with the mast also positioned further aft.
This ‘dhow’ shaped sail is an impressive 29.5 sqm (317.5 sq ft) and creates the drive of both a genoa and a mainsail. On a broad reach the Hopyacht 30 will sail comfortably at 6.5 knots in 20 knots of wind.

Geoff comments, 'We’re fortunate in Cape Town to have a constant supply of strong winds, so we have been able to test the HopYacht in challenging conditions. To live up to the promise of easy to sail, the HopYacht 30 is also very easy to reef. We added three reefing points, clearly marked with bands stitched on to the foot of the genoa.'
The recommended "do not exceed wind strengths" for each reefing point ensure that the boat remains exceptionally stable and easy to manage. Despite each reef creating a significant reduction in sail area, as the wind strengthens, there is surprisingly very little loss of speed by reefing early.

The reefing process is simple, especially when sailing alone, as the furling line is conveniently placed at the outboard edge of the helm station. From there, you have a clear view of the genoa, making it easy to determine how much sail to furl or unfurl.
Geoff recalls watching Dhows on the east coast of Africa as they return from a day of fishing and how they sail swiftly up to a mooring buoy, simply drop the sail, and secure the boat in a matter of seconds!
With a single sail on the HopYacht you can do the same! It takes less than 15 seconds to furl the Genoa away.
Apart from tidying up a few lines and securing the cockpit enclosure, you’re ready to head home, stopping momentarily to wave to your neighbours in their traditional boats, still stowing the mainsail!
Comentarios