SUPRISE?
Recommended age: 7 to 77
Why the Surprise is the ideal sailboat for learning on Lake Geneva?
Aptly nicknamed the “Swiss Army knife” of sailboats, the Surprise stands out for its rare versatility, making it indispensable for any serious sailing school on Lake Geneva. Originally designed for regattas and coastal cruising, this 7.65-meter one-design boat offers the perfect balance between performance and stability. Its rounded bilge hull ensures excellent buoyancy and a high tolerance for errors, essential qualities for beginners. Whether for motorized harbor maneuvers, close-hauled sailing during adult lessons, or the first safe gliding sensations for younger sailors, the Surprise adapts to every situation and all levels, guaranteeing rapid and confident progress.
A must-have, high-performance Monotype
On Lake Geneva, the Surprise’s popularity is well established. Its widespread presence in local regattas and its ease of handling make it an excellent teaching tool for learning about the specific characteristics of this unique body of water. Its dimensions, large enough to comfortably accommodate an instructor and four students, allow for the simulation of sailing conditions on a large sailboat, while remaining easy to bring back to port thanks to its shallow draft and easy-to-use outboard motor. In addition, the standardization of its equipment allows students to focus on sailing techniques without being distracted by the complexity of overly sophisticated rigging.
Safety and Fun Guaranteed for All Ages
The Surprise’s design emphasizes safety. Its open cockpit and high freeboard provide a feeling of stability that is greatly appreciated during initial outings. This robustness, combined with a minimalist but functional cabin for storing equipment, allows CNCrans instructors to use it occasionally during children’s courses, offering them a stable and secure platform to discover sailing in a fun way. Whether you are aiming to obtain a sailing license or simply want to master the basics of sailing from 7 to 77 years old, the Surprise is the ideal ally to transform every outing on Lake Geneva into a successful and enjoyable learning experience.
Adults – Evening classes
Price range: CHF 275.00 through CHF 385.00
Sailing license
Price range: CHF 80.00 through CHF 1,000.00
Objective Régate des Châteaux
CHF 595.00
Sailing/Motor License Combo
Price range: CHF 70.00 through CHF 1,500.00
Keelboat – Private Lessons
Price range: CHF 100.00 through CHF 900.00
- Overall length 7.65 m
- Width (Bau) 2.48 m
- Draft 1.60 m
- Total weight Approx. 1,250 kg
Number of crew members: 1 to 5
Sail Areas
- Upwind sail area Approx. 33.5 m2
- Spinnaker Approx. 45 m2
The Surprise is the most popular one-design class on Lake Geneva thanks to its unique balance between racing performance and ease of use for training cruises. Its sturdy construction and excellent stability make it reliable in the changing conditions of the lake, making it a popular choice for clubs such as the CNCrans and for obtaining the sailing license (category D).
Yes, it’s an excellent choice. The Surprise is commonly used for sailing license training on Lake Geneva. Its size and handling faithfully reproduce the sensations of cruising, and it is equipped with an outboard motor that facilitates learning the harbor maneuvers essential for the practical exam.
The Surprise is a pocket-sized sailboat with a total length of 7.65 meters and a maximum width of 2.48 meters. Its draft is 1.60 meters, which ensures good handling without being restrictive for sailing on Lake Geneva. These dimensions make it spacious enough for sailing school (up to 5 people) while remaining easy to maneuver.
Not necessarily. Although previous experience in a single-handed dinghy (such as the Optimist) is a plus, the RS Feva is a very stable boat. Our certified instructors adapt their teaching methods to enable beginners to learn the basics directly in pairs.
