(and our undisputed favourite!)
Anyone who thinks you need a huge yacht for a great sailing experience is wrong. Especially on the Frisian lakes, so-called ‘pocket cruisers’ of around 22 feet (about 6.5 to 7 metres) are incredibly popular. They are manoeuvrable, fit into any box and offer surprisingly comfortable sailing.
But which one should you choose? Today we put three giants in this compact segment side by side: the Fox 22, the Maxus 22 and the Sunbeam 22.1. We looked at all three, but we can give away ahead of time: one stands out for us.
The Challengers
1. The Fox 22: The Frisian classic
You can hardly sail across the Frisian lakes without coming across a Fox 22. And for good reason. The design is no-nonsense, stable and has a huge cockpit that can easily accommodate four to six people.
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Plus point: Space and simplicity.
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Downside: The interior is somewhat spartan and the sailing characteristics are solid, but not necessarily very exciting.
2. The Maxus 22: The space wonder
The Maxus is known for its huge interior space for this size. The high superstructure gives you relatively high headroom and comfort inside. It is a modern boat with a sporty touch.
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Plus point: Comfort and interior space.
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Downside: Its high superstructure means it catches a bit more wind, which sometimes makes manoeuvring slightly different from a lower boat.
3. The Sunbeam 22.1: Austrian perfection
And then we come to the Sunbeam 22.1. This boat comes from the renowned Schöchl yard in Austria. Where the Fox is functional and the Maxus spacious, the Sunbeam 22.1 is simply sexy. With its negative bow (wave piercer) and sleek lines, it is a neck turner in any port.
Why the Sunbeam 22.1 is our favourite
Although we appreciate all three boats, our hearts go with Enjoying the water beat faster with the Sunbeam. Why? Because this boat combines the best of both worlds: sportsmanship and quality.
Here are the three reasons why we fell in love with this yacht:
1. Unrivalled sailing properties The Sunbeam 22.1 sails not like a touring caravan, but like an open daggerboard boat with the stability of a yacht. It responds directly to the helm and cuts smoothly through the short waves of the IJsselmeer or Frisian lakes. This has not gone unnoticed in the professional literature either; various tests (such as in Sailing and international magazines) praise the boat for its balance and speed. Not for nothing was it nominated for several ‘Yacht of the Year’ awards. 2. Rock-solid build quality You feel it as soon as you step on board: this is well put together. The finish is of a level you normally only see on much larger and more expensive yachts. No rattling doors or cheap fittings, but robust quality. That makes you feel safe, especially if the wind gets a little stronger. 3. The Gennaker factor! This is the icing on the cake. Our Sunbeam is equipped with a gennaker. For the enthusiast, this is pure enjoyment. With ample wind, you hoist this large headsail and fly over the water. It makes sailing more active and much more spectacular than just ‘jib mainsail’.“The Sunbeam 22.1 does not feel like a compromise, but like a grown-up yacht in pocket size.”
Experience it for yourself in Friesland
Reading about sailing is fun, but doing it yourself is, of course, a thousand times better. Are you curious about how that Austrian solidity feels on Frisian waters? Or would you like to experience for yourself how easy that gennaker is to operate?
You can book this beautiful yacht directly with us. Check availability and specifications via the link below:
👉 Rent the Sunbeam 22.1 in Friesland here
See you on the water soon!
