Some yachts transcend the marketplace. They’re not just boats for sale; they are chapters in the story of American sailing craftsmanship and offshore adventure. The 2001 Hinckley Sou’wester 59CC Zanetia is one such vessel—an elegant synthesis of tradition, innovation, and timeless style that continues to inspire, no matter where she sails or who commands her.
Zanetia represents the pinnacle of the Sou’wester 59 line, the final and most advanced hull built by Hinckley Yacht Company. Designed by the esteemed naval architects McCurdy & Rhodes, she is a masterpiece of yacht design that marries classic lines and modern materials. Her Kevlar and carbon fiber composite hull—built with a patented vacuum bagging process—offers strength and lightness that were revolutionary at the time and remain impressive today.
Warm cherry woodwork, a C-shaped settee, and generous natural light make the main salon a welcoming space for long passages. Courtesy Wellington Yacht Partners
Inside, her satin-finished cherry woodwork, teak-and-holly soles, and meticulous joinery are the hallmarks of Hinckley’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship. With three private cabins, accommodations for eight, and a private aft owner’s suite with companionway access, Zanetia blends luxury and practicality for serious bluewater cruising.
Zanetia at rest—her graceful lines, low freeboard, and jade green hull reflect the classic Hinckley aesthetic. Courtesy Wellington Yacht Partners
Zanetia carries a fascinating pedigree. Originally commissioned by an English lord and once a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron, she’s a boat with stories embedded in her varnished bulkheads. She’s featured in celebrated sailing books and remains a shining example of American yachtbuilding excellence.
Built for both elegance and endurance, Zanetia’s balanced proportions and sheerline show off her McCurdy & Rhodes pedigree. Courtesy Wellington Yacht Partners
For anyone passionate about cruising yachts that combine heritage, seaworthiness, and elegance, the Sou’wester 59 remains a beacon. Even if Zanetia is no longer on the market, her legacy endures as a benchmark of what bluewater cruising yachts can be.
Why the Hinckley Sou’wester 59 Still Captivates Sailors
Built between 1983 and 2001, the Sou’wester 59 line was Hinckley’s answer to the cruiser who demanded beauty, offshore capability, and meticulous craftsmanship. Only 16 hulls were built, making each one a semi-custom masterpiece.
With a tri-radial Norlam gennaker pulling in light breeze, Zanetia reveals her performance roots beneath her traditional charm. Courtesy Wellington Yacht Partners
The transition from traditional fiberglass to Kevlar and carbon composites during the final builds like Zanetia marked an evolution in durability and weight-saving that continues to influence yacht design today.
Hinckley’s attention to detail—from satin cherry interiors to the thoughtfully engineered deck layouts—ensures these yachts remain as functional as they are beautiful decades later.
The teak foredeck leads aft past flush hatches and a raised salon coachroof—designed for safe movement and ocean-going confidence Courtesy Wellington Yacht Partners
Used boats like Zanetia remind us why sailing is as much about soul as it is about hull speed. They tell stories we carry forward, inspiring the next generation of cruisers to seek out the perfect balance of tradition, innovation, and enduring style.
