It doesn’t take long shivering on the heaving deck of a race yacht in 45 knots off the southeast coast of Tasmania before you start questioning a number of things. You also quickly come to realise that what matters most on any boat is not the type of faux marble in the benchtops nor the shape of the cushions, but the quality of the design and the engineering integrity of the hull beneath you.

Because despite paying close attention to the weather models and forecasts, the day may come when you find yourself caught in a squall or storm that produces swells like grey hammer blows and wind that flings spray needles at your eyes. Then, if you’re fortunate to own a Palm Beach 42 – or any Palm Beach, for that matter – you can take a large dose of confidence that your boat is the culmination of experiences like mine off Tasman Island and will get you to port. Safe.

That’s due to the fact that Mark Richards, founder and CEO of Palm Beach, brings all his illustrious ocean-racing and match-racing experience – including 19 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Races with a record nine line- honours wins as skipper of Wild Oats XI, along with America’s and Admirals Cups – to each hull in the Palm Beach range.