When the first Ocean Explorer 60, Like a Breeze, was launched in Finland in 2013, the owners set out right away to do exactly what the big cat was designed and built for: Explore the world’s oceans. After sea trials, the new owners sailed the boat south to join the 2013 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers fleet in the Canary Islands. From there, they took their brand-new boat—hull number one—across the Atlantic Ocean. That the 3,000-mile crossing was a success and Like a Breeze made landfall with almost no gear or equipment failures is a loud testament to the quality and craftsmanship that the Finnish builders put into their work.
Ocean Quality Systems
The OE 60 and its subsequent sisterships, and the new OE72, are built by a company called Ocean Quality Systems (OQS), which is based in Jacobstad on the west coast of Finland. As most sailors know, Finland has long been one of Europe’s leading builders of high quality sailing yachts. It is home to Nautor Swan and Baltic Yachts. Plus, the country has numerous smaller builders who serve the Scandinavian and Northern European markets for cruising and racing sailboats. Read More
