Delphia Yachts at the 2008 Sydney Boat Show

Cruising along the boardwalk at the Sydney Boat Show I ran into my old friend Dave Wilkinson. He is with the master agents for Delphia Yachts of Poland. Delphia Yachts have a by-line which runs ' Quality you expect at prices you don't', and this personifies this fine range of yachts.

Dave took me down to meet Geoff Pearson who heads up the Australasian Master Agency for Delphia and we then proceeded to have a good poke around the Delphia 40. The cockpit layout is excellent with a convenient step through in the stern.

She has fresh, clean hull lines and sturdy construction - she obviously slips through the water quickly. Her coach roof design is also pleasing - nice lines all round. Standing and running rigging is as you would expect on a yacht of this size, with top quality Selden mast and boom and Lewmar winches and hatches fitted as standard.

A fully battened main with Rutgerson cars comes standard along with a very efficient lazy jack and bag system on the boom. The jib furler is a Furlex.

But it is when you go below that the space and light strikes you. The cabin area gives the impression of a much larger boat and the cheery brightness is great - even on the dullest day there would be plenty of light to please the most fastidious skipper.

The Delphia 40 nestles a 40hp Volvo Saildrive, neatly accessable under the companionway steps.

Refrigeration is the excellent performing and compact Isotherm 12v water cooled unit. I installed one of these on 'Tere Moana' and it kept lettuce and cabbage fresh and crisp for up to ten days which meant we were still eating fresh vegetables arriving at the next port. Water cooled is the key here.

For her sailing qualities and handling we turn to Bob Ross whose extensive article in the May 2006 issue of Cruising Helmsman can be viewed on http://www.northlakesyachting.com/ and click on 'media'.

With twenty five of these vessels on the water to date, Delphia Yachts have stamped their mark on the Australasian yachting scene in a very short space of time - the future looks very good indeed and expect to see many more hitting our waters in the years to come.

You can check out more on these boats and their exceptionally keen pricing by visiting

http://www.delphiayachts.com.au/ or calling on Geoff and Dave personally at their office on Middle Harbour at the Spit, Mosman, Sydney.

Published courtesy of Delphia Yachts(Aust) Pty Ltd

You can read more about sailing and water cooled refrigeration on passage in my ebook 'Voyage of the Little Ship 'Tere Moana' downloadable from my website http://www.sailboat2adventure.com/