Test Swallow Yachts BayCruiser 21 winner European Yacht of the Year | Special Yachts

Small, fun, and safe. The BayCruiser 21 is the new daysailer from Swallow Yachts, a small, solid shipyard based in Cardigan, Wales, overlooking the St George's Channel, which separates England from Ireland. The shipyard, which builds its hulls in Poland and finishes them at its Cardigan facility, specializes in the design and construction of boats under ten meters with classic lines, meticulous attention to detail, and excellent seaworthiness. They are built for rough seas, and during the test held in Kiel, Germany, with winds reaching 20 knots and waves of about one meter, it demonstrated all its qualities, offering two hours of exciting and very safe navigation.

The shipyard is owned and managed by Matt Newland, who is also the boat designer. It was founded by Matt's father under the name Swallow Boats and focused primarily on building kit boats. After working at Tony Castro Yacht Design, Matt returned to England and in 2015 expanded the shipyard's operations, aiming to build a fleet of trailerable models up to 26 feet, changing the name to its current one.

All you need to do is find a slipway to launch the BayCruiser 21 yourself. The entire boat is designed for maximum ease of handling, and the mast itself, after returning to land, can be lowered onto the deck in just a few minutes; it has no backstay or spreaders. The boat has a lifting keel that reduces the draft to just 25 cm, and the liquid ballast consists of a 400-liter tank located in the bilge that can be filled with water to make it self-righting and thus increase navigation safety in stronger winds. Furthermore, having no fixed ballast reduces the boat's displacement to just 600 kg, which increases to 950 kg with the trailer.

The operation can also be performed while underway and takes about 20 minutes, but it can only be sailed with a full or empty fuel tank. With this system, the BayCruiser 21 is just as capable as larger boats. Once back at sea, the fuel tank can be easily emptied for transport. The rudder also contributes to the shallow draft because it has a lifting system that makes it extremely easy to handle, providing additional safety in the event of a collision with shallow water. The boat we tested has an optional 6-horsepower Yanmaha outboard motor housed in a dedicated compartment for easier handling and improved propeller performance because it rarely comes out of the water. It is a bit bulky, and the cockpit would benefit from a different position, perhaps hanging from the transom. Among the options worth considering is obviously an electric solution with the Epropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus motor (extra short shaft).

Regarding the 21, Matt Newland explains: “The idea behind the project was to improve upon the BayRaider Expedition, our best-selling model and an important boat in our range. It was essential not to lose the character or characteristics of the original, only making improvements in a few key areas, including increased waterline length, with slightly more sail area in a more efficient sail plan. These factors combine to deliver improved sailing performance. The cockpit is self-draining, with or without water ballast. Regarding the side decks, we took care to angle them and make them as easy to walk on as possible, within the constraints of the beam.

The increased freeboard allows the seats and backrests to be slightly higher than the deckhouse, meaning you no longer have to sit rigidly upright to see ahead. The cabin berths have also been redesigned so you can step down into a compartment between the two berths. This makes it easier to get in and out, but more importantly, it keeps wet feet well away from the bedding. There's also space for a chemical toilet that slides under the cockpit floor when not in use. During the day, guests can close off the cabin and enjoy their privacy.

The wind is blowing hard here in Kiel, and for a moment I think we won't be able to get out, especially given the large wave just outside the harbor. I ask Matt Newland, who has no doubts; we go out. He fires up the outboard motor, and in a few minutes the BayCruiser 21 is in sailing trim with a reef in the mainsail. With 17-18 knots of wind, unfortunately, it's not safe to try the gennaker, which has a special retractable carbon bowsprit. We continue with the mainsail and jib, and the boat immediately proves to be solid and safe, passing through the waves without hesitation, and a crew of two is more than sufficient to manage all the adjustments.

Given the wind and waves, I expected it to be a very wet ride, but it only took a few minutes to change my mind. Aside from a few normal splashes, the cockpit remains fairly dry. Even without the gennaker, the BayCruiser 21 flies when sailing downwind, and we reach a top speed of 12 knots while fully planing. The mainsail circuit is quite difficult to maneuver and requires a higher gear ratio, which will be available in future models. In very strong winds and waves, the 6-horsepower engine could be underpowered. 

The jury's motivations

FIN | Pasi Nuutinen, Vene
A bold little boat for those who want to explore coastlines and lakes far from home. Trailering is spectacular: the BayCruiser 21 can be launched and loaded in less than half an hour, even single-handed. Inside, a crew of two can live like a campsite in decent-sized beds, though socializing and cooking are better outdoors. Sailing will put a smile on your face, as its lively performance doesn't come at the expense of instability. On the contrary: with the added safety factor of water ballast, this refined British pocket cruiser can even handle double-digit surf under a gennaker in a strong breeze.

ESP | Diego Yriarte, Nautica & Yates
This 21-footer has demonstrated during sea trials that it can exceed 10 knots while playing among the waves in a true wind of around 20 knots, with stability, safety, without taking away our smile and with an elegant retro style... a wolf in sheep's clothing.

NOR | Axel Nissen-Lie, Seilmagasinet
Reasonable and charming. The joy of sailing doesn't increase with size, on the contrary. Say hello to the BayCruiser 21. The new boat from Swallow Yachts of Wales has beautiful lines and an efficient rig. The 21-footer can be easily loaded onto a trailer and can be assembled and dismantled by one person in no time. It also sails surprisingly well. With a long waterline, good sails, and a carbon rig, the BayCruiser 21 impressed in fresh winds off Kiel. The cockpit is safe and comfortable, deep and protected. There's also room to sleep in the cabin, but there's not much other space below deck.

ITA | Alberto Mariotti, Super Yacht 24
Small, fun, and safe. A trailerable vessel for cruising near your home or exploring new places. The English craft demonstrated excellent seaworthiness on a windy day that left much more equipped boats stranded. Everything is designed for easy one-handed operation, from the canting mast to the water ballast that makes the boat self-righting. A practical and well-designed vessel that represents a still-needed solution in a sector dominated by size.

GER | Jochen Rieker, YACHT
British company Swallow Boats may not be a household name, but to those in the know, it's synonymous with seaworthiness and ingenuity. The new BayCruiser 21 might be their best boat yet. It won the hearts (and minds) of the judges with its super-congenial practicality: even with a large outboard engine tilted out of the cockpit, thus compromising the aft cockpit, it's still large enough to accommodate four crew. The same goes for the cabin, which offers comfortable backrests and plenty of headroom for a boat of this size. When converted into a V-berth, a couple can enjoy two proper beds—who needs more, really, on a weekender? Our most impressive impression of the BayCruiser 21 was how it handled a fresh force 5/6 breeze with short, steep waves. It may not be the fastest in light winds, but it performs well enough for a relaxing afternoon. It's amazing how much fun it packs into such a compact and versatile format.

DEN | Morten Brandt-Rasmussen, Bådmagasinet
The smallest and least expensive boat in the competition proved impressive in winds from 4 to 28 knots. It's trailerable, takes less than 30 minutes to rig, and can be removed from the boat and put on the road in just 12 minutes! Equipped with a centerboard that, even when raised, leaves a draft of just 25 cm, its design combines a charming retro style with modern touches such as a carbon rig, Dyneema shrouds, and liquid ballast. This boat is a potential classic for the busy sailor who can't dedicate time to long crossings and prefers to park the boat behind the car and tow it to their preferred destination.

SUI | Lori Schüpbach, Marina.ch
There are always smaller shipyards that stand out from the crowd with a unique design. Swallow Yachts is a prime example. The Welsh shipyard not only builds visually unique boats, but also incorporates several clever ideas. The BayCruiser 21, for example, features a simple ballast system for greater stability in strong winds, a practical solution for stowing the powerful outboard motor, and a trailering concept that really works in practice. The boat can be launched in 30 minutes and hitched up ready to go. Despite its classic appearance, the BayCruiser 21 is packed with modern technology.

SWE | Joakim Hermansson, Praktiskt Båtägande
The BayCruiser 21 is a rather small boat, but it's absolutely packed with innovations and clever solutions that make handling on and off the water a breeze. Even with four no-nonsense, middle-aged men in the cockpit, it delivered astonishing performance, reaching speeds approaching double digits on the waves under its asymmetric spinnaker. It's certainly a modern boat with a traditional look.

NED | Marinus van Sijdenborgh de Jong, Zeilen
Simple, well-designed, and versatile for maximum sailing pleasure. The BayCruiser 21 might seem like a very simple boat, quickly and easily assembled. But when you sail it and look closely, you'll discover that every inch and every detail has been carefully considered. There's not a millimeter of material that doesn't serve a higher purpose, and every feature has been twisted and turned to perfection. The cockpit has plenty of space wherever you might need it while sailing, while inside there's plenty of room for shelter and comfort for two. It takes just 31 minutes for a single person to get the boat ready for the road, from arriving under sail to starting the car and returning home. The simple, well-designed features continue in the performance and sensations under sail. The boat is easily controlled—an extra purchase on the mainsheet would be helpful—and handles very well, whether in light, waves, or wind. Its versatility makes it perfect for both shallow-water adventures and less sheltered outings. An excellent example of a well-developed sailing yacht, offering its owner maximum sailing time and experience for a relatively modest investment.

FRA | Sebastien Mainguet, Voiles & Voiliers
So beautiful! This little Welsh boat looks great on the water, sails well, and boasts a clever design, with many details that make sailing and cruising easy: water ballast for easier towing, a tilting keel and rudder for beaching and hauling wherever you want, an ingenious system for trimming the mainsail, a camping stove hidden under the cockpit benches… Lots of good ideas, and a boat you'd love to have in your driveway somewhere near the coast!

AUT | Roland Regnemer, YachtRevue
A one-man show! It's small, smart, and fun. A small and accessible newcomer with a classic British workboat style, it offers interesting and high-tech solutions in a hull length of just six meters. The carbon rig, water ballast, and gennaker are included as standard. The rig can be dismantled by yourself in 15-20 minutes.

GBR | Toby Hodges, Yachting World
When I mentioned this project, I worried that my fellow judges would understand. However, as soon as they stepped ashore after the trials, their smiles told me not to worry! In an age where entry-level yachts are almost obsolete (and all cost six figures), this is a truly small yacht that offers excellent value for money (under €40.000). It embodies many of Swallow's core values, including lightness, water ballast, and ease of sailing, in a classic shape with a large, deep, protected cockpit and a weekend-friendly interior. Plus, it can be trailered anywhere and rigged in minutes. For those concerned about the future of sailing, take a look at this Welsh shipyard and this 21-footer, a standout Yacht of the Year.

Data Sheet

Hull length 6,02 m

Length at gall. t 5,67 m

Beam 2,18 m

Standard displacement 600 kg

Liquid ballast 400 kg

Draft 0,25-1,50 m

Yamaha 6 hp engine 

EC C-6 approval

Matt Newland Project

Sail plan

Carbon mast and boom 

Mainsail 13,5 m2

Bow 5,4 m2

Gennaker 20 sq m

Test conditions 

Location Kiel (GER)

Rough sea

Wind 17/18 kt

People on board 2

yard

Swallow Yachts, Cardigan, UK

https://swallowyachts.com/

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