Featured Boat 54' Tayana Raised Saloon 2008 US$ 900,000 DESIGNER'S COMMENTS: We are excited by our first design for Ta-Yang the centre cockpit, raised saloon Tayana 54. A truly contemporary design that does not compromise comfort and sailing performance a design that has evolved to meet the demands of today's cruising yachtsman. Well suited to both coastal cruising and long distance sailing. The design encompasses Bill Dixon's 25 years of experience designing and cruising centre cockpit yachts. An undistorted hull characterized by its long waterline, fine entry, beam carried aft, will ensure a high degree of performance, comfort and stability. The integrally molded keel allows the internal lead ballast to be secure and low. The modern cruising sailor is influencing deck design and layouts, with emphasis on large comfortable cockpits. The Tayana 54 has an unusually large wide centre cockpit, a cockpit more normally associated with aft cockpit designs. Additional to this is dedicated aft deck seating introducing a second leisure area to the deck, with direct access and stairs to the transom platform. The high freeboard hull allows the coach roof to be low and sporty, keeping the cockpit relatively low against the shear. The layout of the cockpit ensures ease of handling with its dedicated areas for sail control, and sailing shorthanded. Deck storage is provided by a full width lazzerette aft, and a forepeak locker. A high aspect ratio cutter rig was the chosen configuration with its excellent combination of handling and performance, the handling enhanced further by the self tacking staysail. With hull beam carried aft and good freeboard, the Tayana has a very voluminous interior despite the large cockpit. Aft is a truly spacious airy owner's cabin with large en-suite facilities. The large galley is conveniently located in the passageway to the owner's cabin. From the galley there is access to a walk-in engine room with enough space to access and service all the equipments modern yachts inevitably carry. The raised saloon is wide and airy with hull ports and the large coach roof windows, with the chart table is located beside the companionway. All fuel and water tanks are located under the saloon for optimum weight placement. The combination of Dixon Yacht Design's experience and Ta Yang's reputation will ensure the Tayana 54 will be an outstanding yacht suited the requirements of the modern cruising yachtsman.