boat hire in Marseille · Vindo — 65ms (1980)

The Vindö 65 MS possesses that rare charm of Nordic sailboats designed for long voyages without ever feeling rushed. From the moment you step aboard, you sense it was conceived for sailing, not for showing off at the dock. At sea, it's a reassuring boat. The heavy hull and long keel filter the waves, allowing you to move forward smoothly and stably, with that feeling of being on rails that's sorely lacking in modern designs. Under sail, the ketch naturally finds its balance: with the mainsail reefed and the mizzen and genoa well trimmed, the autopilot does little work, and the boat tracks its course with a gentle heel, comfortable for both crew and children. The central cockpit and sheltered wheelhouse transform life on board. You steer in dry conditions, protected from the wind and spray, while maintaining an unobstructed view of the bow and sails, which makes you want to rack up the miles, even when the weather deteriorates. Under power, the large inboard diesel engine delivers effortless acceleration, maintaining a respectable cruising speed in surprising silence for a boat of this generation. Inside, the atmosphere is that of a small cruising yacht, warm and wood-paneled. The fine woodwork, light-colored paneling, and classic layout (deep saloon, proper forward cabin, and a comfortable aft cabin on some versions) immediately invite you to settle in, cook, consult the charts, and plan the next leg of your journey. This is a sailboat where you truly live, summer and winter, rather than simply a holiday vessel. A Vindö 65 MS isn't a boat in a hurry; it's a companion for your travels. It encourages you to extend your passages, to choose sheltered anchorages rather than noisy marinas, and to set off in the morning with a coffee in hand in the wheelhouse, letting the autopilot do the work while the boat glides serenely along in its wake.