Salona 60 Information, Review, Specs

The genesis of the Salona 60 lies in the Croatian shipyard AD Boats Ltd.'s (Salona Yachts) ambitious vision to construct globally competitive sailing yachts that excel in demanding regattas while offering uncompromised comfort for cruising. The design, penned by Jason Ker, a naval architect with a pedigree in America's Cup yacht design, underscores a strong emphasis on performance. Salona's established manufacturing ethos during this era, detailed in the builder's profile, highlights the use of advanced techniques such as vacuum infusion technology with vinyl ester resin and tri-axial oriented laminates for a robust yet lightweight hull and deck. A key structural innovation is the integrated stainless steel internal frame, which provides exceptional strength and stiffness, particularly around the keel and mast areas, contributing to the yacht's safety and integrity at sea.

The Salona 60 offers customisation to suit individual requirements, notably with a lifting keel option. This allows for a variable draft ranging from 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) in its shallower configuration to a deep 11.48 feet (3.5 meters) when fully extended, offering versatility for both performance and access to shallower anchorages. Further enhancing its performance profile, an optional carbon spar is available, indicating the yacht's dual focus on serious racing capabilities alongside its cruising comforts. The prototype for the Salona 60 was introduced in the summer of 2012, with the first models built in 2014.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Salona 60's design firmly places it in the high-performance cruiser category. Its impressive Sail Area to Displacement ratio of approximately 24.84 suggests exceptional performance, particularly in lighter wind conditions, allowing the yacht to generate considerable power even with gentle breezes. The Displacement to Length ratio of around 115.5 further reinforces its identity as a lightweight and highly performance-oriented vessel for its size, promising an exhilarating sailing experience.

While its Ballast to Displacement ratio of 0.333 is moderate, it's complemented by the builder's emphasis on structural stiffness, including the integral stainless steel frame, which contributes significantly to the boat's overall stability and ability to stand up to a press of sail. With a theoretical hull speed of 10.28 knots, the Salona 60 is capable of fast passages under sail. The yacht features a modern bulb keel and a responsive spade rudder, ensuring splendid maneuverability and precise control, even when pushed hard. Its fractional sloop rig is designed for efficient sail handling, and anecdotal accounts describe the Salona 60 as "super easy and pleasant sailing" despite its considerable size. Power is supplied by a 110 HP Yanmar engine for reliable auxiliary propulsion.

Accommodations and Layout

Designed for comfort during extended cruising and regatta participation, the Salona 60 provides a modern and elegant interior, with a flexible cabin layout that can be tailored to owner preferences. The yacht typically features four cabins and three heads, offering ample accommodation for crew and guests.

The owner's cabin is strategically positioned forward of the main saloon, boasting a large double berth on the centerline with integrated storage beneath and supplementary drawer lockers. Aft, two double guest cabins are arranged on either side, sharing a consistent and comfortable layout. For practicality at sea, a dedicated hanging locker for wet sailing gear is conveniently located aft on the starboard side, near the entrance. The Salona 60 is equipped with 6+2 berths and has a substantial water capacity of 317 gallons (1200 liters), ensuring self-sufficiency on longer voyages. Thoughtful design elements, such as lateral openings, ensure visual contact with the surrounding environment, enhancing the onboard experience.