Salona 37 Information, Review, Specs

Built by AD Boats Ltd. (Salona Yachts) in Solin, Croatia, the Salona 37 embodies the builder's commitment to quality and innovation. From its inception in 2002, Salona aimed to produce globally competitive yachts that excel in regattas while offering uncompromised comfort.

History and Design

The Salona 37 began production in 2006, marking a significant entry into the performance cruiser market for Salona Yachts. The design brief for J&J Yacht Design was clear: create a vessel that could seamlessly transition between competitive racing and comfortable cruising. This philosophy aligns perfectly with Salona's overarching manufacturing ethos, which emphasizes robust yet lightweight construction through advanced techniques such as vacuum infusion technology with vinyl ester resin and tri-axial oriented laminates. A hallmark of Salona's structural integrity, and integral to the 37, is the integrated stainless steel internal frame, which provides exceptional strength and stiffness by supporting both the keel and mast.

During its production run, the Salona 37 was offered with notable variations to cater to diverse sailing preferences. Owners could choose from three different interior layouts and three distinct keel types, including a deep sport keel with a maximum draft of 6.5 feet, a shallow draft option, and a standard bulb fin keel configuration. This adaptability ensured the Salona 37 could meet the specific demands of various sailing regions and styles.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Salona 37 is lauded for its spirited sailing performance, a direct result of its well-balanced design ratios. With a sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 20.0, the Salona 37 demonstrates excellent light-air performance, allowing it to move efficiently even in gentle breezes. Its high ballast-to-displacement ratio, exceeding 0.57, indicates exceptional stiffness and stability, enabling the boat to stand up to a significant amount of wind and maintain its sail plan in more challenging conditions. Furthermore, a displacement-to-length ratio of around 167.3 positions the Salona 37 firmly in the lighter, more performance-oriented cruiser category, suggesting a nimble and responsive vessel.

On the water, the Salona 37 lives up to its "high performance cruiser" moniker, exhibiting excellent speed and a splendid maneuverability thanks to its fin keel and spade rudder. Reviews highlight its capability for quick passages, with a reported ability to beam-reach efficiently even in light air. While generally well-behaved, some reports indicate that the Salona 37 may require frequent traveler adjustment in gusty conditions to maintain optimal trim. The cockpit is designed to be highly functional, offering ample space for trimmers and facilitating efficient sail handling.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its performance-oriented design, the Salona 37 provides a surprisingly generous amount of interior volume for a vessel of its size. The accommodations are practical and well-arranged, reflecting its dual-purpose nature. Typical layouts feature a large V-berth cabin forward, serving as the primary sleeping quarter. Aft, the boat generally includes one or two additional cabins, contributing to total berth options ranging from four to ten depending on the configuration.

The saloon is often described as spacious, with some models featuring upgraded finishes like luxurious teak interiors or enhanced upholstery. The single head, typically located convenient to both cabins and the saloon, is equipped with a toilet, sink, and shower, often complemented by a dedicated wet-clothing cabinet. The galley, usually positioned opposite the navigation station, is practical, featuring a calor gas cooker, stainless steel sink, and Corian countertops. The engine, a 30-hp Yanmar diesel, is efficiently housed beneath the companionway, accessible via a saildrive. Overall, the Salona 37's interior is noted for being well-thought-out and conducive to comfortable cruising.