INSIEME 40, A TRUE LIVING ABOARD CRUISING SAILBOAT

Cruising boats should be equipped for cruising but, oddly, they do not come equipped to do what they should be designed for, not even expensive ones like Hallberg-Rassy. Standard, most are not even equipped for sailing. Not the case with the Insieme 40, that comes already very well equipped for sailing and cruising, and that makes it a very different offer, almost a unique one on the market.

Most cruisers are sold with the same cruising equipment boats had 50 years ago, with a low battery bank capacity, without renewable energy power sources, and if you want to cruise without going from marina to marina, to recharge your batteries everyday, or if you don't want to run your engine everyday for several hours, you will need to install, either a noisy generator, or solar panels. In any case you have to increase the battery bank size, in many cases increase the boat tankage, and to make things worse, you will find that some of these items are not on the options list, or if they are, it will be in a very limited way. And you will have to add things like full electronic instruments, radio, auto-pilot, bow thruster or good quality sails, ad so on.

Not the case with the Insieme 40, that is truly thought as a cruising boat, it comes already with all the equipment that in other boats are expensive extras, and it offers, as standard, all the stuff a cruiser needs, from solar panels to a huge battery bank, a big alternator and a relatively big tankage.

The Insieme 40 is not really a new boat, it is a super equipped and slightly reinforced Sunbeam 40.1, now made by Vilm shipyard, also a German shipyard, and under the supervision of Gerhard Schöchl, who directed previously Sunbeam yachts.

Sunbeam 40.1

The Sunbeam 40.1 is an elegant yacht and a very good sailing boat that Sunbeam stopped producing, as well as all its cruising line, to center its activity in small daysailers. Obviously they stopped producing cruising boats, after decades making them, because they were not making money, probably they were even losing money with them. The 40.1 is a 2014 design from J&J and the last one was built in 2021. They only made 14 of them, and that is an unacceptable number for a production shipyard.

Sunbeam 40.1

Nine years ago, when I reviewed the Sunbeam 40.1, I said nice things about it, even if I did not predict a big success, but from there to the shipyard having difficulty in selling them, not managing a small profit to keep going, was a real surprise.

Back in 2015 they had managed to substitute their older cruising models and had two new yachts, the 40.1 and the 46, both contemporary designs, well built, well designed, with nice and high quality interiors, good cruising sailboats, proposed at a fair price. 

Now it becomes clear that the main reason for the Sunbeam failure, in a shrinking high quality yacht market, was their refuse to hugely increase the beam to allow much more interior space, at the cost of light wind, and upwind sail performance and maybe their insistance in maintaining the quality of previous boats when costs were escalating.

https://interestingsailboats.blogspot.com/2015/10/sunbeam-401-great-cruiser.html

The 40.1 has a 3.99m beam and even if that does not make it a narrow boat, it is much narrower than for instance the Hallberg-Rassy 400 (4.18m), and even more if we consider less expensive and lower quality sailboats like the new Hanse 410 (4.29m) or the Dufour 41 (4.27m). 

Above, the Insieme 40, below the
Hallberg-Rassy 40

Also the refuse to bring beam back, to give it a huge transom, may have given it a too classic look for most, in a time where huge transoms are looked as modern, even if boats like  Jboats and JPK showed, while racing, that, out of mostly downwind races, the hull shape configuration of a huge beam and all beam pulled back, is not an overall advantageous one, even less in a cruising sailboat, that normally avoid strong winds, and is normally quite loaded. However it does allow to sail with less heel.

We can see that for about the same length cockpit,
the one on the HR is much wider, particularly at
the transom

And a huge beam and transom pose problems to the one that is sailing the boat upwind in stronger conditions, that risks to fall from above, several meters to the other side of the transom (nothing that hasn't ever happened to me), and increase marina costs, because due to huge beams there is now a beam limitation around 4.0 meters. If the boat has more, even if it has only 11.99m, it passes to the superior price category.   

This new version, besides being slightly reinforced, has some detail alterations in the hull, mostly to be able to say they have a skeg rudder, that is really vestigial, and not really a skeg rudder,  but hopefully those alterations  should have not a significant effect on drag and performance. 

Basically it is the same boat even if they don't disclose the displacement neither the ballast while saying that the boat has a "high ballast ratio".

The Sunbeam 40.1 is a relatively light cruiser, with 8500kg for a ballast of 2980kg on an efficient torpedo keel with 2.00m draft. The ballast ratio at 35.1% is way better than in mass production cruisers and a good one, better that the one of the Hallberg-Rassy 400, with a better final stability, even if the overall stability of the HR is way bigger, due to its 11000kg displacement.

Above, the Insieme 40 with the 1.9m L keel
Below the Sunbeam 40.1 with the 2.00 T keel

If the Inseme was used as a bluewater boat it would gain in having a more reinforced hull and hull structure and because it is a relatively small yacht,  having a bit more displacement would not be a bad idea because it would give it a bigger overall stability. If we consider that the Insieme has over the Sundbeam 500 kg in reinforcements and extra equipment, and a  less efficient L keek with 1.90m draft, for compensating, and give it a similar final stability they will have to increase the ballast in around 3500kg, and that would bring the boat displacement to around 9500kgs.

I have asked them about the ballast and they said that with the standard cast iron L keel with 1.90m draft had 3458kg. It can also have a torpedo T keel with 2.00m draft (the same as on the Sunbeam 40.1) and in that case it will be lighter. If we consider on both yachts the standard keel efficiency into bringing the CG down,  it seems to me that the location of the CG will be very on the two Yachts.

The Insieme, like the Sunbeam 40.1 will have a good safety stability and AVS, and with 9500kg displacement and a considerable hull form stability will have a bigger overall stability than most 40ft cruisers, and a much better safety stability and AVS, more than enough to give it a big safety margin in offshore cruising.

The standard Insieme keel

They told me that they don't know yet the displacement with the alterations, and I find that a bit odd because that should relate with the needed ballast. The standard cast iron keel design looks good, even if I would prefer the T keel with more draft and a lead torpedo (that should be possible). A T keel with 2.0m draft with a lead bulb should bring the displacement to just around 9000kg.

Anyway, if not for bluewater use, the original model with 8500kg displacement is more adequate, and will provide more fun and sailing performance than an heavier and more reinforced sailboat. And doing some Atlantic crossings in the right season, and mostly cruising in the Med, Baltic or Caribbean, in the sailing season, it is not giving it a bluewater use, even if one cruises extensively, or lives permanently aboard. 

What makes the Insieme really different from the Sunbeam 40.1 and other sailboats, even expensive ones (that come already with some equipment), is the quantity and quality of the standard equipment, that makes it not only a true sail away boat, but one very well equipped for cruising. 

It comes standard with high quality cruising hydranet sails (jib and main) using a furling mast, that should not be difficult or expensive to change to a standard mast, with one line furling boom, taking the opportunity to increase sail area. A furling mast in a boat of this size for bluewater use is not a choice I would have made, and even worse with vertical battens, that give a better performance but that increase jamming possibilities, and in the case of jamming makes lowering the sail much more difficult.

It comes with a sloop configuration, but with the deck stepped mast already prepared for a cutter configuration, that is an option. It comes with 6 winches, one of them electric, Harken genoa and mainsheet travelers. A self tacking traveler for the jib is optional and will only make sense in the cutter configuration.

It comes standard with a solid bow platform that serves as anchor stand and as bowsprit for a geenaker or code 0, with a 25kg spade, 50m of 10mm chain and an anchor winch with 1700w. It also offers an acrylic windshield on an aluminum frame.

Above Insieme 40 layout, below the Sunbeam 40.1 layout.
The hull seems different but itis not. The drawing of the
 Insieme is misleading,looks odd, and I don't know why
 they have such a bad drawing in their site.

The outside storage is good, they talk about a sail locker, but it is really a big chain locker that will allow to store some fenders and the garbage, plus a side locker and a big aft locker. On the Sunbeam the interior storage space could be accessed by the outside. That is a good idea, except if the boat is used for bluewater sailing. In that case I would  prefer not to have communication, because that represents a big liability if the boat capsizes.

Regarding instruments, the Insieme comes with a Raymarine i70s instrument system package for depth, temperature, wind, and speed. Raymarine Axiom PRO 2 9-inch chartplotter, Raymarine Evolution autopilot system (ACU-400) including Raymarine Type 2 autopilot drive. Raymarine AIS700 transceiver and Raymarine Ray90 DSC VHF radio.

Above, Insieme galley and saloon, below, Sunbeam 40.1. A bigger
head with a separate shower takes some space to the saloon and
 makes imposible the nice solution on the photo below, with a central
chart table and two seats.

It comes also standard with a bow thruster and an unusually powerful 50hp Volvo-Penta with a big 300L diesel tank. The water tankage is good, given the size of the boat (HL-11.99m), 400L, and it comes standard with a 24L boiler with a hot water electric system for when the the boat is at the marina or port.

In what regards standard electric systems it makes a big difference towards other yachts, coming with a huge house lithium battery bank with 660AH, 3000VA inverter with integrated 120A charger and 400W solar panel system, integrated into the deck. It has a large 120A alternator and numerous outlets (USB + 230V).

The interior is basically the one of Sunbeam 40.1 in the two cabin version, that was a nice and good quality one, with some alterations: the storage space seems well fitted and the layout was modified to have a bigger head with a separate shower (an improvement). 

On the saloon the seats on the starboard side were removed to be substituted by a multifunctional counter with two drawers (that optionally can be a freezer) and by a pilot chart table and a dedicated seat.

Regarding this last modification, in a relatively small boat, I find that dedicated chair a waste of space. If instead of the chair it was used a multifuncional block constituted by a long seat that coming from the counter served as seat for the chart table, it could not only provide two extra places at the dining table for guests, but also an useful storage space (under the seat) for provisions. It would also look better visually providing more integration.

Good storage everywhere with  plenty cabinets.
 The storage on the large storage room can be 
probably adapted to the owner needs.

Another interesting and very useful standard feature is a Flexima comfort mattress (in the owner's cabin) and blackout blinds and mosquito nets for all the hatches, two very useful items.

Besides the extensive standard equipment they offer options that make sense for extended or bluewater cruising, some of them not offered as options in other sailboats, like an arch with additional solar modules (up to 760Wp), davits for the dinghy, a watermaker, a washing machine (3kg), additional fridge/freezer, a microwave instead of the gas stove, a diesel heater, a masthead camera including collision warning system, and an additional, complete backup autopilot system. 

A generator is not on the list of most desirable options, even if it could be mounted, since this boat offers a lot of customization. That has to do with the spirit of this yacht that is designed for the ones that like to cruise with the nature, sailing and living aboard as silently as possible, even if I doubt the washing machine is not really too much an energy waste for using out of the port, or marina.

The Sunbeam 40.1 was better built than mass produced sailboats, the Insieme 40 is probably just a bit better, and its quality probably near, or similar, to the one of GS 42LC, that would be the boat with which to compare the Insieme 40.

https://interestingsailboats.blogspot.com/2020/02/dusseldorf-2020-grand-soleil-42-lc.html

https://interestingsailboats.blogspot.com/2020/10/grand-soleil-42lc-one-of-best-new.html

Both boats use as structure a GRP liner that is bonded and glassed to the hull, plywood bulkheads bonded and laminated to the hull, 20mm plywood on the GS, 25mm and 16mm on the Insieme. 

Both use vinylester resin for the first layers then polyester resin, using both boats a high density closed foam core on a sandwich hull, using GS an infusion vacum system, and being hand laid on the Insieme, that uses below waterline only monolithic fiberglass, while on GS, they have only monolithic fiberglass in the places where their use is more indicated, like the keel. The GS uses some carbon fibers as reinforcement in the more stressed areas.

The keel is all cast iron on the Insieme and it is cast iron with a lead bulb on the GS. I would say that the GS has slightly better built specifications, but because the Insieme 40 is not built like a production boat, eventually, that can be compensated by a superior care and more controlled quality check, but to really know that you have to visit the shipyard and see how they work and how  the quality control is done.

On top, Insieme 40 structure, above, GS 42LC

The Insieme 40 makes sense if it is cheaper than the GS equipped the same way, but that is not an easy thing to find because the Insieme 40 has some exclusive equipment, like the solar panels and the big lithium battery bank. While on the Insieme you have all this already installed on the boat, and available more dedicated options for bettering the boat for cruising, on the Grand Soleil you will have to select a lot of options, and for some equipment, that is not on the option list, they would have to out source it, probably through the dealer, and that is not the same thing as having them installed at the shipyard, neither provides the same warranty of quality and the price for each item can only be obtained after an individual budget.

Above, Insieme 40, below GS 42 LC, two
different hulls, both with fine entries but
very different aft sections and transom.

Besides that, due to the much smaller production, the Insieme 40 has a potential for customization that the GS 42LC does not have. Another factor to consider is that the the Insieme has a 11.99m HL to a GS42LC 12.95m HL and that will allow the Insieme 40 to save considerably in marinas, dry dock, or in the payment of cruising taxes, that today have started to be the norm (Croatia, Greece, Italy) because it will pay one class below, while the GS will pay in many cases the same as a much bigger boat.

There are several test sails on the Sunbeam 40.1 and they all say that the boat sails very well. with a displacement of 8500kg and an upwind sail area of  87,5m2 (with a genoa), it has a very respectable 21.4 SA/D. You can read below one of the sail tests, (link) one that impressed positively the tester:

"Sailing her in extreme conditions showed she was more than capable of taking on the 1m swell and gusts in excess of 35 knots, moreover, with the right sail configuration she handled it with aplomb. The twin-wheeled Jefa steering was smooth and light, with just the right weight and precision and she was quick to respond: forgetting the course and chasing speed, I was frequently rewarded by double figures on the log.

Insieme 40

She offers a good compromise between performance and comfort. ... She’s a comfortable, fast offshore/ocean-capable cruiser that’s rewarding to daysail, too ..she’d definitely be on my shortlist, were I in the market for a 12m yacht. If you cruise as a couple or with friends, appreciate high quality and are prepared to pay for it, then she should be on your shortlist, too."

https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/yacht-reviews/sunbeam-40-1-review-32080

Grand Soleil 42 LC

Regarding how the Sunbeam will compare with the Inseme 40 I can only make an educated guess, because the displacement is not given and there is some confusion regarding sail areas. On the Insieme site they talk about a top genoa that is in fact a geenaker. I asked them about that, they confirmed it is a geenaker and they have given me for the genoa a 37.4m2 sail area, that seems to me a very small difference for the 36.1m2 jib. That would give only a 83m2 sail area, that is way less than the 87.5m2 the Sunbeam has, on a lighter boat, and therefore it would make the Insieme a considerably slower boat, specially in weaker winds.

Above, Sunbeam 40.1, below Grand Soleil 42 LC

But unless they have reduced the mast height then the genoa can be bigger and have the same size as in the Sunbeam (41m2) and the main, that is also given as being a bit smaller (45.8m2 to 46.5m2), if a non furling mast is used, can be increased in about 5 meters, so it should be possible to have a total sail area of about 92 m2 and that, considering a (estimated)  displacement of 9500kg (more 1000kg than the Sunbeam) gives a SA/D of 20.9, not far from the original Sunbeam 21.4 SA/D.

With the 2.00m T keel and a lead bulb, considering a displacement of 9000kg (weight saved by the keel superior efficiency), with the non furling mast and the bigger genoa, the SA/D will be 21.6, similar to the one of the original Sunbeam 40.1.

Comparing with the Grand Soleil 42LC, depending on using a furling mast or not, and a jib or a genoa, the SA/D can vary between 21.3 and 23.2 and that means that to have the same performance of a Grand Soleil with a furling mast, the Insieme has to have a non furling mast and a genoa, and that the GS has the potential to be faster, due to a longer LWL and optionally more sail area. But I would not be surprised if the narrower hull of the Insieme and the transom design (and aft hull shape) could compensate that, upwind or in light wind sailing. Not being truly performance cruisers, these two are fast cruisers.

Grand Soleil 42LC, above and below

As you all have already understood I like the idea, I like this boat and it makes much more sense to cruise with a smaller well equipped, well built sailboat that offers the speed, space and the seaworthiness necessary, than with a not so well equipped, not so well built bigger sailboat, whose maintenance and marina costs will be much superior, and that will cost more while new (even if not so well equipped).

As usual much is about costs and the Insieme 40, with all the equipment is expensive, at €504,000 excluding VAT while a Grand Soleil 42LC standard (without equipment) costs without VAT €349,000. That means a difference of   155,000 euros in equipment. On Insieme they say their boat has between 200,000 to 250,000 euros in extra equipment. If you have the right budget you have to check these costs out, and see if the Insieme is in fact a considerably less costly option.

With the Insieme you will have, even if you opt for more options than the equipment that comes in the standard boat, a sail away boat, as you want it, directly from the shipyard while with the GS 42 LC you will have a lot of work to outfit the boat with equipment that is not optional.

One thing is for sure, in Europe, with VAT, to have a new superior quality cruising sailboat, offshore capable, and very well equipped for cruising, you need about  600,000 euros, and that is just too much for the vast majority. In 2004/2005 when I was dreaming of changing my almost new Bavaria 36, for a bigger boat, for the retirement days, what you needed was about 350,000 euros. In 20 years yachts almost doubled their prices, and the same did not happen with average salaries.