After comprehensive renovations in 2012 – 2017, ZIROCCO has been very carefully maintained and continuously upgraded to a high standard over the years. As an example of this, in the spring of 2025 the teak deck was sanded and treated with Boracol and new TruDesign maintenance-free through hull fittings have been installed, the hull sides have been newly polished and waxed and the bottom has received two layers of new antifouling.
The combination of the hull’s strength, torsional stiffness, stability and sailing characteristics and the well-thought-out equipment makes ZIROCCO a long-distance cruiser in a class of its own.
The yacht is designed by Göran Dahlström who is known for designing sailing yachts with very good cruising characteristics when sailing windwards. The sail plane is carefully calculated for the yacht’s length, width and displacement and therefore the rig is calculated with a mainsail of 44 square meters and a jib of 45 square meters. This results in very good height-taking ability and at the same time being easy to handle for single handed or small crew. In addition, the yacht is equipped with both Code Zero and spinnaker for downwind sailing.
Göran Dahlström is known for his meticulous attention to materials and craftsmanship, ensuring every detail is suited to the yacht’s purpose. He has written a book about his various yacht designs and the 43 is described in detail with sketches, calculations and objectives to achieve a sleek, strong and rigid hull. He emphasizes that the Rhapsody 43 must meet the expectations of those who appreciate ‘real’ sailing.
At his boatyard in Karlshamn, southern Sweden, sailing yachts of various sizes were built during the 1980s and early 1990s. However, only four hulls of the 43 model were produced, with ZIROCCO being hull #3. As the yachts were built to order, their layouts and equipment may vary.
ZIROCCO has a forward and an aft cabin, both with a double berth and each with its own toilet. The forward cabin also has an upper berth and there is an extra cushion to add to the port sofa in the saloon, so it can become an additional berth. This gives a total of 6 berths on board.
Two companionways lead below deck! On the low superstructure, there is a small cockpit just aft of amidships, providing direct access to the navigation table and saloon. The main cockpit, located at the stern, features a steering wheel, engine controls, a table, benches, and a large sprayhood. While this layout is common on yachts of this type, one key feature sets ZIROCCO apart—an additional companionway from the main cockpit leading directly to the aft cabin. This design allows the crew to move safely and stay dry without needing to go on deck.
The current owner bought the yacht in 2011 and planned, among other things, for Atlantic sailing. Therefore, from 2012 to 2017, the yacht underwent a comprehensive refit and upgrade to bring its equipment up to modern standards. (see “Key Facts” for the biggest upgrades). They then sailed the ARC in 2018 and spent the next two years sailing in the Caribbean and the US East Coast. The pandemic caused them to sail back to Europe in 2020 and they have since been sailing in the Mediterranean.
At 34 years old, ZIROCCO is exceptionally upgraded to modern standards and so well maintained that she can be compared to a yacht just 7-8 years old. Considering all these factors, along with the extensive and thoughtfully selected equipment, our assessment is that ZIROCCO is in excellent condition.
Bo Lennström
Berthon Scandinavia
Tel: +46 70 169 23 98
E-Mail: bo.lennstrom@berthonscandinavia.se
