Vineyard Open House Blog

On the Hard, in the Snow, at Gannon & Benjamin Shipyard, Vineyard Haven

Martha's Vineyard got hit with 5-7 inches last night, adding to what was already on the ground. Meanwhile, work continues in the sheds and boatyard at Gannon & Benjamin on Beach Rd. Can't wait for spring and new boat launchings!

Building's Walls Fall Away to Reveal Scow 'Seeker' Ready for its First Journey

The walls of the building that have enclosed Seeker for more than two years are now falling away as the scow readies to be moved to a new location down the road.

Boat builder Ted Box is getting closer to moving day for his all-wood scow Seeker that he is building on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard. (See links to earlier posts about Seeker at the end of this post.)

Seeker has a passing resemblance to Noah's Ark.

Asked to vacate the property he and his still-unfinished creation have occupied for more than two years, he is getting the boat ready to move via water to a new location on property owned by Packer Oil a half mile down the road.

Stern of Seeker.

As his vision moves closer to reality, Box has found it easier to get people to see his vision. Packer is donating the land the scow will sit on until launch day and the I beams that will lift the boat off the Vineyard Haven sand enabling it to move to its new location will be donated as well.

 

Ted Box, builder, says, "Slow & steady finishes the job."

Box says that he and volunteers have already poste between 8,000 and 9,000 man-hours constructing the vesseal which Box sees as a learning laboratory for kids and a tourist attraction for adults.

Stay tuned for moving day which should be quite a show. (More photos below.)

Hatch covers in place.

Below deck.

Close-up under the bow.

Possible rigging coiled and ready.

Previous photo updates of Seeker under construction:

A Scow Rises in Vineyard Haven, A Photo Update 

Frame by Frame, A Boat Rises on Beach Road in Vineyard Haven

Wooden Boat Specialist Far Cry Boats Is "Launched" in the Lagoon in Vineyard Haven

Far Cry Boats owner Rick Brown has given new meaning to the phrase "launching a business." He has spent the past summer building a floating workshop for his wooden-boat construction and repair service and as you can see in the photo above, the business has officially been launched.

Brown has been working with wooden boats for more than 40 years, most recently at the nearby Maciel Marine. He specializes in boats up to 22' and has built or repaired peapods, dorys and skiffs.

Far Cry Boats, which is about a half mile away from the more well-known builder Gannon & Benjamin, adds further evidence to the realization that Martha's Vineyard is becoming a center for wooden boats.

To contact Rick Brown at Far Cry Boats, call 508-693-6930

Morris Yachts Launches Newest Addition to Its Fleet, the M46

Sparkman & Stephens and Morris Yachts, which are celebrating their successful 10-year partnership of the M-Series this year, has announced an addition to the fleet. Called the M46, this latest version is "akin to the existing models in many ways, but takes performance, range, and outfit to a new level," say the partners with pride.

Look for the Morris fleet--and the new M46--at the Vineyard Cup on Martha's Vineyard this summer on July 12th, 13th and 14th. (If you'd like to investigate buying or renting a home on the island during the event, or at any time during the summer, contact Elise Ryan at Coldwell Banker Landmarks (410) 258-8237.)

The current line of M-Series yachts includes 4 models from 29 to 52 feet overall. For the new M46, Sparkman & Stephens was tasked with incorporating the line's same great looks into the new design while enhancing nearly every other aspect from speed to accommodation. The outcome is a stunning new design suited to any yachtsman.

The most noticeable departure from the existing line of M-series is displayed in the M46 hull design.  Sparkman & Stephens has stretched out the waterline to gain maximum performance without compromising on looks. 

Slenderness has been maintained for effective upwind work and maximum comfort while sailing.  Gentle tumblehome in the topsides ensures symmetric waterlines while sailing at heel to make exceptional headway to weather. The draft is ample but not excessive, resulting in optimal balance between sailing performance and shallow inlet cruising.

The M46 layout achieves more than any other classically styled yacht in her size range.  The accommodation and systems onboard rival designs that are 25% larger in her class. 

Double cabins, double heads, separate shower, navigation station, generous salon seating, and a spacious galley have all been included with full standing headroom throughout. 

In line with all Sparkman & Stephens designs, the layout is designed to provide safety at sea as well as the best utilization of space.


On deck, the ergonomically-perfect cockpit incorporated on the other M-series has been worked into the new M46 design as well.  The cabin house is characteristic M-series with some additional sculpting and shaping.  A slightly raised foredeck is introduced with a liberal use of glass and hatches to create airy and light-filled interior spaces throughout. 

Sparkman & Stephens took a hard look at the rig design on the M46.  The standard M-series rig setup with self-tacking jib has been a triumph, as it provides safe, shorthanded, and worry-free sailing.  On the new design, an optional soft outer stay for a large G0 sail has been added to maximize performance on light wind days. 

Additionally, a retractable deck sprit for the asymmetrical spinnaker will be offered to enhance sailing off the wind.

For more information and photos, visit the Morris Yachts website.

Gannon & Benjamin Work on Morgan Whaleboat Nears Finish

This winter, Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway on Vineyard Haven harbor is at work recreating a small piece of the nation's maritime history.

The Island boatbuilders, designers and builders of pleasure craft large and small, power and sail, are building one of the whaleboats that will be carried by the Charles W. Morgan, the last remaining wooden whaleship and the oldest American commercial vessel still in existence.

Whaleboat plans

The Morgan is now undergoing a multi-million dollar restoration at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut.

Caulking with cotton.

Built in 1841 in New Bedford, she made 37 voyages under sail around the globe during an 80-year whaling career. The vessel arrived at Mystic Seaport in 1941 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1967.

The museum expects to relaunch Morgan this July, and in 2014 she will begin her 38th voyage, this one to historic ports in New England, including Vineyard Haven.

In all, nine whaleboats are under construction by third parties that include, in addition to Gannon & Benjamin, the Lowell Boat Shop and the Philadelphia Independence Seaport Museum.

Here are more photos and description about the restoration of the Morgan

 

Epilogue for the Artic Tern Project: Awards, Plaudits and a Discreet 'For Sale' Sign

Alula beats for home.

The Artic Tern Project has come to a bittersweet end. Builder Peter Gron began his final entry thus:

"Alula’s crowning glory this last year was winning the “Best Tabloid Cruiser” award at the Victoria Classic Boat Festival (their parlance for “Best Small Cruiser – Sail”). I hadn’t even planned on entering, but the positive response to Alula from the general public attending the show was so overwhelming that I thought, “Why Not?” 

But even more glorious than her award was her astounding journey from Gabriola Island to Victoria to attend the show.  She made it in only two days, all under sail. 

The final leg of which was reaching down the Strait of Juan de Fuca in 25+ knots of wind, bounding across the ocean swells, before turning down-wind and surfing into Victoria harbour wing-on-wing.  She sailed like a true champion on that trip."

Read on for Gron's final words and the difficult decision he had to make to put Alula up for sale. How true that on the Artic Tern Project, it was indeed about the journey and not the destination. I hope you enjoyed reading about it, I certainly did.

 

Morris Launches Its Its New M52, Heads to America's Cup as Official VIP Spectator Boat

The M52 under sail and next week underway to Newport.

Morris Yachts has launched its brand new M52 (3-cabin layout) and it will be heading to Newport next week where the company will be offering test sails along the Newport shoreline for interested parties.

All dressed up and ready to go.

This newest entry in the Morris fleet will also be gracing the America’s Cup race course as the official VIP Spectator boat for team Artemis Racing. A stylish head-turner, the M52 is just days old, and as a company-owned boat, her future owner can sail her away this summer. The M52 Coastal Voyager is the largest yacht in Morris’s M-Series Modern Classic range.

Beautiful lines and easy to sail.

"With her long overhangs, breathtaking lines and elegant charm, she makes the perfect marriage of timeless classic design, modern performance innovations and the flawless heirloom quality Morris is renowned for," the company says on its website.

Designed in partnership with Sparkman & Stephens to deliver performance sailing that is fun and comfortable in classic style, the M52 is optimized to help you make the most of your time on the water. With her self-tacking jib and control lines led aft to the helmsman’s fingertips, sailing her is a snap.

A roomy berth made for a good night's sleep.

M52 features include:

- One of the first boats in the USA to feature the new state-of-the-art Holmatro ‘Furl Finder’ furling system

- A new captain’s quarter berth, making this M52 suitable for an owner with a professional captain, or perhaps an owner who likes to cruise with extra family and friends

- The first M-Series modern classic to feature an onboard generator allowing more cruising amenities while underway, such as air conditioning

- An improved interior configuration with shower stall access from the main salon and a modified galley configuration for more secure cooking at sea

- New LED lighting plan optimizing battery life

- New Lewmar direct linkage steering system allowing for more precise steering control

Contact Morris Yachts for a private demo sail.

Gannon & Benjamin's New Family Sailboats Are Finished & Getting Ready for Launch

Gannon & Benjamin's new family daysailer is now finished and getting ready for launch. Specs are: LOD 18’3" and LWL: 17’5." 

If you're interested in having one made just for your family, call Nat Benjamin at the Gannon & Benjamin shipyard at (508) 693-4658. See the final photos below.

You can see earlier photos of the construction here> "Gannon & Benjamin's New Family Sailboat Takes Shape in Their Vineyard Haven Shipyard."

The boats can an carry either a gaff or Marconi rig.

Benjamin had in mind several requirements for the boat:  affordability, easy maintenance, trailer-able, good performance and an appeal to a wide age group.

Note that the hull number is No. 64. One would assume that means it is the 64th boat the company has produced.

Just one more. MacNab of Vineyard Haven gets spruced up by her owners. She's now back at her mooring in the inner harbor.

Update: Scow Rising in Vineyard Haven Begins to Take Shape

Last October 23, 2011, we posted the first of, now three, entries about the construction of a 70-foot scow on a Beach Road lot in Vineyard Haven, Martha's Vineyard.

The second update appeared in March. Now it's June and builder Ted Box is a little farther along, getting close to the time when he can apply planking to the frame.

 

The building itself is still nearly indistinguishable from the skeleton of the scow inside. That will change once the hull planking, below, begins to be applied.

J-Class Racing Family Adds Another Stunner: 40-Meter Rainbow Launched by Holland Jachtbouw

The burgeoning J Class of super yachts has grown by one more. Holland Jachtbouw recently launched the  Rainbow at its yard in the Netherlands.

Based upon the lines of the original Americas Cup winner in 1934, this spectacular 40-metre J features a high-end superyacht interior and a unique hybrid propulsion and power system inside a racing boat hull, all topped off by a grand prix racing deck and rig. 

Rainbow is currently being stepped and sea trials will commence in March as she gears up to complete in this summer’s regattas, including the J-class races in England.

For her launch Rainbow was brought outside the ultra-modern main construction hall at Holland Jachtbouw, wheeled onto a barge and lifted by two cranes into the water. This sophisticated operation took full advantage of the yards rare capacity to launch vessels with a draught of five meters (Holland Jachtbouw can actually accommodate yachts of up to 5.5 meters draft and 65 meters in length).

"It is such a thrill to be able to fully appreciate a design that was last seen in the open almost 80 years ago," says the yards co-director Tako van Ineveld. "This new Rainbow took us over two years to build while her predecessor was completed in just a 100 days. This does not mean we are slower. It is a reflection of the incredible degree of sophistication that is now contained within these timeless lines. The original Rainbow was an empty boat with a deck of sailing gear and a powerful aluminum rig. This Rainbow is a different proposition altogether."

The Rainbow Team - A Modern Take
The projects naval architects were Dykstra & Partners, and this office also partnered with deVosdeVries design on the interior.  The original Rainbow was drawn by William Starling Burgess in the early 1930s and the vessel was scrapped in 1940.  This design has now been incorporated into an all-aluminum yacht that meets the J-class Association maximum performance rules.

All modern functional requirements have been integrated with full respect for Rainbow's heritage, while the decks have been kept as clean and flush as possible featuring only a mahogany doghouse and skylight.  The latter offers a quite spectacular contrast with the superb jet black-colored hull and gold-leaf cove stripe.

Gerry Dijkstra and his team have utilized all their vast experience and the very latest computer modeling to optimize Rainbows performance via a lightweight construction with a high degree of overall stiffness. The rig includes a Southern Spars high-modulus carbon mast, boom and spinnaker pole, continuous carbon fiber rigging, North Sails 3Di racing sails and Lewmar high-speed hydraulic winches.

All are entirely customized to Rainbow's specific requirements and, like everything metallic on deck, anodized to create a light grey look.

Complete Interior
All the new generation of Js need to have a fully functioning interior under JCA rules, and Rainbow's owner has spared no expense when it comes to luxury accommodation and premium equipment, including full air conditioning. 

The original Rainbow did not have an engine room so there was obviously not a great deal of space to accommodate one within the lines plan.  Holland Jachtbouws solution, developed in partnership with WhisperPower, has been to create an ingenious ‘hybrid propulsion’ and power system especially for this project.

As a result, Rainbow can be operated entirely on her Hy-Store Li-ion batteries, including sailing, navigation and hotel load.  This also meets the owner’s request for silent periods onboard, without generators running, from 11 pm to 7 am.  And that in turn promises much for those who enjoy cruising and, potentially, chartering Rainbow.

Power Inside
This hybrid solution replaces the conventional main engine and two generator configuration found on other Js, which have a larger engine room than the comparatively lighter Rainbow (170 tonnes). The main engine replaces the second generator, while the remaining generator is a variable speed electric unit. 

The main engine generator can also act as an electric motor that can also run the propeller.  This solution is smaller in size and saves on fuel.  The batteries can also be charged while sailing without losing more than 1.5 knots of speed.

Other key overall benefits of this innovative propulsion solution include a dramatic reduction of the ecological footprint, a 30 percent reduction in the fuel required to generate the hotel load, and a similar reduction in the maintenance costs for the power plant in hotel load.

Redundancy is built-in with five power sources available: The hybrid battery, the variable speed generator, the variable speed engine generator, the shaft generator (when sailing) and shore power (when available).  There is also a substantial reduction in audible noise levels both inside the yacht and out.

Comfort & Style
In terms of styling, Rainbow's interior features raised and fielded mahogany paneling with art deco details.  The owner’s stateroom is aft and there are two ensuite twin guest cabins, each with a Pullman berth.

In addition to offering accommodation to up to eight guests, Rainbow will have a permanent crew of seven led by Captain Nick Haley who has previously skippered two other members of the Holland Jachtbouw fleet, namely Windrose of Amsterdam and Athos.

Spring Training
This April a team of race professionals will join the permanent crew for the first time to embark on seven days of extensive training in the North Sea.  All will look very impressive thanks to a sponsorship agreement with Pelle Petterson.

This renowned competition yachtsman has taken a keen interest in the Rainbow project and offered to supply his trademark Pelle P technical sailing clothes. During the J-class regattas in Falmouth and Cowes, Rainbow will be accompanied by a support vessel to accommodate the larger crew at night.

Rainbow also has a full schedule of engagements to compete in the other major regattas of 2012.  The general public will be able to admire her at the Monaco show where Rainbow will be on display close to the Holland Jachtbouw stand.