Berret-Racoupeau shaped the hull, while Nauta Design laid out the interior. Their collaboration produced a 43-foot monohull that departs from the usual separation between cockpit and cabin. Here, the cockpit and saloon occupy the aft two-thirds of the boat, and the living space flows almost seamlessly from helm to settee.
Design and Construction
The Sense 43 has a solid-fiberglass hull set in polyester resin, a balsa-cored deck bonded and bolted to the hull, and a cast-iron ballast keel. Considerable beam extends all the way aft, while a hard chine runs along the aft third of the hull, just above the waterline. Together, these features help minimize heel angle under way. The hard chines and twin rudders also give the boat great directional stability even when hard pressed.
The wedge-shaped forward edge of the coachroof meets the deck well ahead of the mast. The cabin top is higher than on most boats, making room for an interior that sits only three steps below the cockpit. Finish quality is about average for a modern mass-production yacht. The boat earned CE certification of A6/B7/C10.
Cockpit, Rig, and Handling
The twin helm stations sit all the way aft. Each has a gas-shock-assisted seat that folds up and out of the way in port, while a collapsible sill helps prevent anyone from accidentally backing out through the open transom.
There is no mainsheet traveler. Instead, the mainsheet leads to blocks on a large overhead arch. All lines from the mast and boom run aft to secondary winches on the forward cockpit coamings, though the numerous lines must fit into two rather small line boxes.
Test sailors found the helm smooth and well balanced. Close-hauled, they could leave the wheel untouched for as long as ten minutes before the boat slowly rounded up. In 10–12 knots of true wind off Miami Beach, the Sense 43 made 5.7 to 6 knots close-hauled in flat water at a 40-degree apparent-wind angle. With a gennaker on a close reach, she reached 7.6 knots.
The twin rudders provided good control when backing, as long as the angles remained shallow. One tester noted that the boat backed a little sluggishly to starboard.
Cockpit and Interior
The very wide cockpit is separated from the saloon by just three low steps. The companionway itself is enormous, with three steps set at a 45-degree slope rather than the usual five.
A teak cockpit table stands amidships and converts, together with the wraparound seating, into a sun bed. The modular cockpit table can also create a huge sun-lounger. Two enormous side lockers hold fuel jugs, sails, tenders, and outboards, while a dedicated life-raft locker sits between the wheels.
Below, the saloon is bright, spacious, and open, with sightlines in every direction. Large windows face port, starboard, and aft toward the cockpit, and include integral opening ports. Bench seating around the table accommodates six, and one bench doubles as the chart-table seat.
The in-line galley lies to port behind a center island. It has plenty of counter space, a grey synthetic-resin worktop, useful storage, and excellent working areas on either side of the stove. The two sinks, however, are a little small and shallow. The navigation station runs along the aft edge of the settee, providing a view into the cockpit and a long desk for charts. An amidships island conceals a drop-down flat-screen TV facing the settee.
All sleeping cabins and a head are grouped forward. The owner’s cabin occupies the bow and has a queen berth between hanging lockers, along with an ensuite bathroom. The guest cabin provides a large double berth, ample storage, and an ensuite shower.
Known Issues
Engine access is the Sense 43’s weak point. The engine sits far back in its compartment and isn’t easy to reach. The shallow companionway steps fold up for quick access, and side panels in the cockpit lockers open to provide additional working access, but one tester found the engine-fluid inspection panel in the starboard cockpit locker less than easily accessible.
The absence of a mainsheet traveler is a deliberate design choice, but it limits mainsail-trim options. The open aft end also leaves the boat exposed to following seas that can wash aboard.
The Verdict
The Sense 43 is a thoughtfully opened-up cruiser that trades some conventional separation between spaces for a light, sociable flow between cockpit and cabin. The arrangement is well suited to family bluewater use. Strong directional stability and an easy, well-balanced helm make the boat forgiving, while difficult engine access and exposure through the open aft end are the main prices paid for the layout.
Pros
- Hard-chine hull and twin rudders provide strong directional stability
- Seamless flow between cockpit and saloon, with exceptional stowage
- Well-balanced helm that can hold a course hands-off
Cons
- Engine is mounted deep in its compartment and is difficult to reach for servicing
- Open transom provides no protection from boarding seas aft
- Lack of a mainsheet traveler limits mainsail-trim options
