Design and Construction
The Tofinou 7 measures 7 meters overall, with a beam of 2.25 meters and a displacement of 1,300 kilograms. Its solid fiberglass hull is a straightforward interpretation of the 1929 wooden ancestor rather than a modern cored sandwich.
The defining structural feature is the centreboard arrangement. A galvanised steel, wedge-shaped centreplate gives a draft of 1.1 meters when lowered and 0.5 meters when raised. That lets the boat explore thin water or sit on a trailer behind a large family car or 4x4. The centreplate case shapes the entire interior, while 380 kilograms of lead ballast in the bilges makes the boat reassuringly stiff for its size.
Above the waterline, teak decks and varnished mahogany trim provide the classic finish. On one eight-year-old example, the mahogany was so well finished that the owner reported it hadn’t been touched since the boat was built.
Rig and Handling
The Tofinou 7 was designed to be simple to sail single-handed. A 2:1 purchase makes the mainsail easy to hoist, while the jib uses 2:1 sheets, removing the need for a winch. The jib itself rolls away on Bartels furling gear.
At the mast foot, a cluster of belaying pins sits beside a stainless steel Andersen winch for whatever light trimming is required. Tofinous normally race four-up, so the cockpit and deck are arranged for a small crew working together rather than solely for minimalist solo sailing.
A sail area of 24.4 square meters on a 7-meter hull makes for a lively but manageable platform. For quiet harbour power, the boat has an inboard, single-cylinder Yanmar 9hp diesel driving a two-bladed fixed propeller. When sailing, the propeller is best lined up behind the deadwood to reduce drag.
Cockpit and Accommodation
Writing in Practical Boat Owner, the reviewer found the cockpit large. Its open plan provides most of the boat’s living space, with room to sleep on the sole boards on either side of the centreplate case. That turns an otherwise straightforward dayboat into a minimal weekender.
Dry kit stows in a compartment beneath the foredeck. A locker under the aft deck contains the fuel tank and battery, with room for further stowage. The fiddled, teak-covered top of the engine box doubles as a useful table or a foot brace for the helmsman—a practical detail that puts the limited space to work.
This is a daysailer-cum-weekender, not a cruiser with standing headroom. Its elegance lies in that restraint.
Deck Equipment and Intended Waters
A chunky Samson post on the foredeck carries a bow roller and a couple of fairleads, providing secure ground-tackle handling without adding much clutter.
The Tofinou 7 has an RCD Category C rating, placing it in sheltered-to-coastal waters, consistent with a boat of this length and rig. The inboard engine is a Yanmar 9hp diesel.
Verdict
The Tofinou 7 is a stylish, practical, well-built and well-established daysailer-cum-weekender. It wears its 1929 lineage lightly while offering modern trailability and solo-friendly rigging. The centreboard and lead-ballast combination makes it both stiff and capable in shallow water, while the finish should appeal to owners who value tradition without wanting the upkeep of a wooden boat.
Pros
- Centreplate reduces draft from 1.1m to 0.5m for trailering and thin-water use
- 380kg of lead ballast in the bilges provides reassuring stiffness
- Winch-free jib sheeting and a 2:1 mainsail hoist suit single-handed sailing
- Teak decks and mahogany trim provide a classic feel with low maintenance
- Large cockpit offers sole-board sleeping and practical stowage
Cons
- RCD Category C limits the boat to sheltered and coastal waters
- Minimal accommodation suits weekending rather than true cruising
