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Southerly 480: an ocean boat with the Mediterranean in its heart

Southerly is often synonym with blue water cruising. The boats made under this brand are indeed high-quality ocean boats created by expert craftsmen in what is the global home of sailing: Southampton.

After a temporary closure of the shipyard severely affected by the crisis and with the recent acquisition by Discovery Groups, production has been transferred from Itchenor, in southern England, to Southampton, where award-winning Southerly yachts continue to be built boasting the same superior build quality and hull seaworthiness.

Now, the brand benefits from a range consisting of 7 different models from 33 to 59 feet. More specifically, the new entry of the family is the brand-new Southerly 480, officially presented at Boot Dusseldorf these days. The launch has a particular significance for the Italian market not only for the great qualities of this boat but because, after many years, the brand comes back to Italy thanks to Adria Ship, the historic Italian importer of Elan, Bali and Catana brands that now trades all the four ranges of the English group: Southerly; Discovery Yachts, which, contrary to Southerly yachts, feature a fixed keel; Britannia, which consists of a wonderful 74-feet boat; and Blu Water, the family of catamarans.

The Southerly 480 is based on the same interior layout than her predecessors, except for the deckhouse, whose windows are now wider and whose front part is more vertical and squared. Clearly inspired by the lines of the “old” 48-footer, this new yacht benefits from new materials, more sophisticated woodwork and equipment along with a rigging arrangement oriented towards a safe sailing with small crew.

The rest of the boat fully reflects the hallmarks of the brand. Thus, a highly-equipped deck, a well-sheltered cockpit, a nice walking surface behind the helm station, wide side-decks, a generous mainsail of almost 60 square meters and a self-tacking jib.

Next to the deckhouse we can find the rails for a classic 140% 72-square-meter genoa.

The hull, too, speaks the language of a boat intended for safe long-distance cruising: vertical and with generous sections, the bow guarantees high performance and soft passages over waves.

Of course, the new creation cannot fail to include the traditional retractable keel, a particular swing keel system which varies the draft between 1m and 3.12m. A large skeg guarantees excellent route stability while the twin rudder blades have replaced the central one whose presence would have significantly reduced the advantage of the low draft offered by the retractable keel. Finally, in addition to the bow thrust, the boat also includes a stern thrust, whose efficiency, if not in the Mediterranean, is certaily appreciable in the waters of the Solent.

Inside, the dinette – a real uncompromised deck saloon – plays the major role. Coming down, we find a U-shaped, well-sheltered galley on the left. Then, the lunch area on the left is furnished with a large sofa positioned on the starboard side. Here, the huge side windows and the central one offer a spectacular view on the sea while flooding interiors with a great amount of natural light.

Forward, we find a bunk-bed cabin on the left, a toilet with separate shower compartment on the right and a nice forward double-bed cabin. In the stern, the master cabin is equipped with en-suite bathroom, separate shower and closet.