Winner 8 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The Winner 8 entered production in 2014, showcasing Winner Yachts' continued commitment to crafting high-quality performance cruisers. Winner Yachts, founded in 1986 by Riet Vader and Dick Rus, has built a reputation for handcrafting elegant vessels that combine the comfort expected of a family yacht with the performance of a seaworthy racing yacht. This ethos is evident in the Winner 8, which benefits from the shipyard's long-standing and successful partnership with Van de Stadt Design. Cees van Tongeren, the naval architect for all Winner models, contributed his firm's over 70 years of experience in yacht design to create the Winner 8's efficient lines and structural solutions. The design philosophy behind the Winner 8 aimed to produce a fast cruising boat, with an optional performance model for those interested in racing.

A notable variation for the Winner 8 is the optional Performance package. This alternative configuration offers a deeper draft of 4.92 feet (compared to the standard 3.28 feet), a reduced ballast of 1,984 pounds (versus 2,205 pounds), a slightly lower displacement of 5,071 pounds (compared to 5,291 pounds), and a larger sail area of 484 square feet (up from 430.56 square feet). This package also features dual transom-hung rudders, enhancing control and maneuverability. The standard model also features a transom-hung rudder, contributing to its responsive handling.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Winner 8 is consistently described as a performance-oriented vessel, delivering an impressive sailing experience for its size. Its design, with elegant lines from Van de Stadt, ensures it feels like a "true sailboat for sailors." The boat's reported sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 14.03 indicates it is more geared towards a balanced cruising performance rather than excelling in very light air, suggesting it will be comfortable and manageable across a range of wind conditions.

With a ballast to displacement ratio of around 0.417, the Winner 8 demonstrates good inherent stiffness and stability, allowing it to stand up well to wind and provide a secure motion in a seaway. Furthermore, its displacement to length ratio of approximately 171.91 places it firmly in the category of lighter, more performance-oriented cruisers. This combination of ratios, coupled with efficient structural solutions, results in a strong yet lightweight boat that offers an excellent balance of performance and quality. Owners and reviewers often praise its "enormous amount of space and excellent performance." Its theoretical hull speed is calculated at 6.56 knots.

Accommodations and Layout

Despite its modest length overall of 26.25 feet, the Winner 8 is lauded for its surprisingly spacious and thoughtfully designed interior. The layout is modular, maximizing the utility of the available volume. The design aimed to retain similar cabin sizes to its larger sibling, the Winner 9, suggesting a focus on optimizing usable interior space.

Typically, the Winner 8 can accommodate up to five comfortable berths. The cabin features a well-designed galley area, complete with a two-burner stove, allowing for meal preparation even on longer trips. The emphasis on a "real small sailing yacht with real big space" suggests a clever use of volume, making the interior feel open and functional for its class. The cockpit is also well-designed, contributing to the overall comfort and usability of the boat. Winner Yachts' commitment to handcrafted quality means that the interior finishes are typically of a high standard, with attention to detail in materials and construction, aligning with their philosophy that "every Winner is unique."