19
SVN Solovelanet Global
T
he French shipyard Latitude 46 has introduced
the Tofinou 9.7, their latest model, at La Rochel-
le. This new boat does not replace any model: it
rather adds a futuristic interpretation of the French
shipyard's aesthetic and technical canons to this
range.
Tofinou boats have always been cutting-edge mo
-
dels that nonetheless retained the vintage flavour of
wooden boats despite being made of fibreglass: a
unique and distinctively French style that fascinated
many yachtsmen, a difficult balance reached throu
-
gh a research that also had a cultural nature.
With the Tofinou 9.7, the French shipyard modifies
this balance by placing more weight on innovation.
On the water, the wide and flat hull highlights with
even greater strength the magic of these boats, that
are vintage and up-to-date at the same time.
Despite being conceived as a day sailer, the Tofinou
9.7 is also great for club races and will try to achieve
what has been done by the Tofinou 9.50, which has
created a large and very active class.
The boat can accommodate six people very comfor
-
tably: two in the aft working area and four in the cen-
tral cockpit. The manoeuvring ropes are located on
the coachroof, next to the cockpit and served by two
winches, and in front of the helmsman's seats, ser-
ved by two more winches.
The large space aft of the working area can be used
as a small bathing platform.
Inner spaces are rather small, and despite being
equipped with two couches and a forward bed, they
can hardly be used because of the very low inner
height of the boat.
Tofinou
9.7
Latitude 46