Bull 7000

Links Brochure Tests Pictures The Bull 7000 is designed by Greg Young, New Zealand. Greg Young designed the boat for his own use as a combined cruiser/racer. He wanted the boat to be fast, but he also required the boat to be trailerable and able to be launched from a ramp without the need for a crane. Finally the boat had to have sufficient livingspace for a small family on a cruise. These requirements were the same requirements we had for our next boat. After a research of the market we discovered that a Bull 7000 was the best (only ?) option. Almost by coincidence I got in contact with Jill & Robin Stevenson, who are both very active in the Bull 7000 UK Class Association. In June 2001 I went to England on other business and took up their kind offer on a test sail on their Bull 7000 "Cows Rig". In a good 16-18 knots of wind we sailed out one evening from their homebase Shoreham-at-Sea near Brighton. Out of the marina we had the wind on the nose and did a number of tacks. Everything was OK but not unusual. After all everything was almost like sailing my old X-79. After a while we changed course to a reach, the gennaker was set - and off we went. A steady 14-15 knots on the log, and a view aft that was almost like seeing a Volvo Ocean Race in the Southern Ocean. This was a BIG experience. After that experience I completely fail to understand why anybody would want to sail an "oldfashioned" boat without planing capabilities. Hence the quote from Bill Gladstone on the frontpage of this website. The Bull 7000 is a boat of the same generation as a Melges 24, Mumm 30, Cork 1720, Hunter 707 etc., i.e. a modern sportsboat. The Bull 7000 has a gennaker on an articulating bowsprit and has planing ability in medium airspeeds. The Bull 7000 has a lifting keel, with a 1,70 meters draft and a bulb at the end of a narrow keel blade. The boat weighs in at 1080 kgs, with 375 kgs in the bulb. Reports from England tells about boatspeeds of 20 knots +, and 10-15 knots on a reach is fairly common. In comparison to e.g. the Melges 24 the Bull 7000 however also has 4 very good berths, a galley with a sink, heads compartment etc. The Bull 7000 is very well suited for a cruise for up to 4 people, all of which can be adults. The boat can be trailered by an ordenary mid size car (1300 kgs towing weight), the mast can be stepped on land without the need for a crane, and the boat can be launched from a ramp because of the lifting keel. Just drive the trailer almost under water and off she goes. We tried it a number of times in different places and have had no problems whatsoever. This is the end of boring and time consuming sailing to get to your racing or cruising destination !   Links to Bull 7000 Young Yacht Design Bull 7000 UK Class Association Parker Yachts Bull 7000 for sale ? Brochure Parker Yachts brochure (.pdf) Parker Yachts specification and pricelist (.pdf) Bull 7000 description Test of Bull 7000 Reviews Pictures of Bull 7000's Bulls in the ring Herds of Bulls Flying Bulls Bulls ashore and alongside Relaxing Bulls Rustler video (226 kByte, requires Windows Media Player) Jill & Robin Stevenson's "Cow's Rig" (they have since bought a new Bull 7000, "Rustler")