This model is a significant makeover of a quality Swedish serious cruiser from Najad that was first launched 10 years ago. While the well-proven hull remains the same, the deck and interior layouts have both been updated. Nevertheless, it retains the traditional values for which the Najad brand has been famous for decades.
As soon as you step on board it’s clear this is a very different proposition to a boat from one of the high-volume builders. It has a traditional center cockpit arrangement with a single wheel – a set up that makes a lot of sense for long-distance sailing. It’s also bristling with sail controls, which makes it easy to keep the boat sailing efficiently in changing conditions – something that often becomes progressively harder as boats get larger.
This approach is also echoed in the twin headstays, one for a genoa and the other for a smaller non-overlapping jib. This arrangement makes for easy changes between light weather and reaching sails and an efficient smaller heavy weather jib. Unlike many newer designs the 505 retains a single rudder, a configuration that Najad likes as the foil is protected to a great degree behind the keel. The rudder shape has been updated to improve its efficiency.
Below decks two key factors are immediately obvious compared to the original design. Firstly, headroom has been increased throughout the boat by eight inches, without a corresponding raising of the coach roof. Secondly, the number of opening overhead hatches has been doubled from seven to fourteen, which significantly improves both the sense of natural light and ventilation. Care has also been taken to optimise stowage.
Accommodation layouts include a third Pullman style cabin, plus two double aft cabins in place of the standard large aft owner’s suite. The big forward cabin can be laid out as a twin, or with a large peninsula double berth. A large walk in closet/wardrobe can be specified in addition to the en suite heads/shower here. The galley is ideally positioned on the port side of the cockpit. It’s of an impressive size and very well appointed, with options including a dishwasher, induction cooker and larger fridge/freezer. This boat is also large enough for an impressive walk-in engine room and technical area that has been well laid out by Najad.
- Length overall 15.30m
- Length waterline 14.12m
- Beam 4.61m
- Draught (optional draught) 2.45m (2.10m)
- Displacement 19,900kg
- Ballast 6,500kg
- Full battened mainsail 76sq m
- Furling jib 60sq m
- Code Zero 110sq m
- Spinnaker 178sq m
- Heavy staysail, jib 14sq m
- Air draught 23.10 m
- Fuel capacity 1,000 litres
- Water capacity 850 litres
- Holding tank 2 x 85 litres
Source: Nordic yard launches 505 Next Generation | Yachting News Update