Vindö 65MS (1980)

The Vindö 65 MS has that rare charm of Nordic sailboats designed to sail far without ever rushing. As soon as you step on board, you can feel that it was designed for sailing, not for showing off at the dock.

At sea, it's a reassuring boat. The heavy hull and long keel filter the sea, you move smoothly, stable, with that feeling of a track that is no longer found on modern productions. Under sail, the ketch naturally finds its balance: reduced mainsail, well-adjusted mizzen and genoa, the helmsman works little and the boat steers its course with a gentle heel, comfortable for the crew and children.

The central cockpit and protected steering station change life on board. You steer in dry conditions, sheltered from the wind and spray, while keeping a clear view of the bow and sails, which makes you want to rack up the miles, even when the weather deteriorates. Under engine power, the large inboard diesel engine effortlessly propels the boat, maintaining a decent cruising speed in a surprisingly quiet manner for a boat of this generation.

Inside, the atmosphere is that of a small cruising boat, warm and woody. The meticulous woodwork, light bulkheads, and classic layout (deep saloon, true forward cabin, beautiful aft cabin on some versions) immediately make you want to settle in, cook, take out the charts, and prepare for the next leg. It's a sailboat where you truly live, summer and winter, rather than just a vacation vessel.

A Vindö 65 MS is not a rushed boat, it's a companion on the road. It encourages extending the stages, choosing well-protected anchorages rather than noisy marinas, setting off in the morning with coffee in hand in the steering station, letting the autopilot do the work while the boat calmly unfurls its wake.