With a masthead-sloop rig, fixed fin keel, 1,500 kg light displacement, and 2.64-meter beam, the Start 7 sits firmly among light-displacement weekenders rather than heavy offshore passagemakers.
Design and Construction
Chantier Mallard built the Start 7 in France as a solid-fiberglass monocoque, with a fin keel fixed to the hull and a transom-hung rudder construit par le chantier Chantier Mallard en France. The class is described as a monocoque habitable—a single-skin, livable hull—which is consistent with its solid-fiberglass construction.
At 7.20 meters long and 2.64 meters wide, the Start 7 is beamy for its length. Its 340-unit production total identifies it as a volume design aimed at the casual cruising market rather than a bespoke one-off.
Rig and Handling
The masthead-sloop rig is a straightforward choice for a boat of this size, giving short-handed crews a familiar genoa-and-mainsail arrangement. Combined with the fin keel and transom-hung rudder, it trades a little directional stability for maneuverability in tight harbors.
The 1,500 kg displacement keeps the sail plan meaningful without requiring a large crew to trim it. Meanwhile, the 2.64-meter beam gives the hull more initial stability than a narrower 23-footer would have. Overall, the rig-and-keel combination is well suited to a coastal cruiser sailed on weekends.
Accommodations
The Start 7’s classification as a monocoque habitable confirms that it was conceived as a livable cruiser rather than a daysailer with a cuddy. Beyond that classification, however, the available class summary provides no further interior detail. Accommodations therefore need to be judged boat by boat.
The dimensions suggest a compact but usable footprint for two people cruising along the coast. The 1,500 kg displacement also points to a modestly appointed interior rather than a heavily equipped liveaboard.
Verdict
The Start 7 is a clearly defined small cruiser from Philippe Harlé, built in meaningful numbers by an established French yard. Its simple rig, fixed keel, and light displacement make it an approachable entry into coastal cruising, with handling that should remain within reach of a couple.
The eight-year production run and 340-boat total give buyers a reasonable pool of candidates. However, the limited record of interior details means any purchase decision should rest on the condition and layout of the individual boat rather than broad claims about the class.
Pros
- Designed by Philippe Harlé and built in France by Chantier Mallard
- 340 boats built during the 1978–1986 production run
- Simple masthead-sloop rig and fixed fin keel
- Light 1,500 kg displacement makes handling manageable
Cons
- Limited documented information about accommodations and interior layout
- The small 7.20-meter hull limits liveaboard capability
