Vineyard Open House Blog

J-Class Racing Field Grows as Sparkman & Stephens and Spirit Yachts, Ltd. Announce New Project

Sparkman & Stephens and Spirit Yachts, Ltd. f Ipswich, England announced today their collaboration today to build a new J-Class racing yacht. (See our photos and reports on the J-Class Regatta held in Newport, RI, last summer.)

Exterior styling and interior design will be by Spirit Yachts with naval architecture and engineering by Sparkman & Stephens. The boat will be named 'Cheveyo' (pronounced shu-Vay-o), a native American word meaning 'spirit warrior' and will carry sail number J1.

While the 1937 J-class Ranger design utilized lines 77C because it was found to have the best potential for racing in the sheltered waters off Newport, Rhode Island, Cheveyo will be built using the Ranger 77B hull design for the more exposed conditions of today's classic regattas.

In 1936, an original series of six hull designs was submitted by Starling Burgess and Sparkman & Stephens to Harold Vanderbilt for the 1937 America's Cup defense. Each of the six Ranger designs was extensively tank tested by Burgess and S&S to select the optimum hull-form to defend the America's Cup against the challenger Endeavour II, designed by Charles Nicholson. The 'Super J' Ranger was thus born, and went on to triumph decisively over Endeavour II in the 1937 series.

A Continuing Partnership
“The yacht is reminiscent of the historic America’s Cup competition between England and the United States," said Kevin Felix, Chairman of Spirit Yachts.

"From design through construction to eventual competition with her peers, CHEVEYO will espouse this history. Imagine: US sailors commissioning a British company to build a classic yacht from designs by an American firm that were originally created to compete against England in the America’s Cup – that is an impressive and somewhat ironic dynamic.”

Furthering the irony is that Spirit Yachts announced the partnership at the same time President Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron were doing a joint press conference in Washington in which both praised the partnership between the U.S. and Britain.

Bruce Johnson President and Chief Designer Sparkman & Stephens added that it was his hope that the boat will be participating in upcoming J-Class Regattas created especially for this re-energized racing design.

Modern & Classic
Cheveyo will marry the classic design of yachting's golden era with modern build techniques of the 21st century. Spirit Yachts will use sophisticated wood/epoxy construction mated to laser cut stainless steel ring frames to create an exceptionally stiff yet lightweight hull.

On deck, this new 'Super-J' will remain true to the beauty and grace of the original design. The authentic low-profile deckhouse has been retained, resulting in a clean, unobstructed working deck.

Complementing this will be high-modulus carbon spars, carbon rigging, state-of-the-art sails and all the modern sophistication of a contemporary performance yacht that will allow her to be raced competitively against any modern yacht and, most importantly, in the spectacular growing J-Class fleet. Authenticity continues below deck with a beautiful 1930's-inspired interior.

The complete press release including additional images, drawings and technical data can be found on the Spirit Yachts website.

CHEVEYO J1
‘Super-J’ Class Sloop

Principal Characteristics:
Length Overall:     139 ft 42.4 m
Length Waterline:     86.9 ft 26.5 m
Beam:     21.0 ft 6.4 m
Draft:     15.0 ft 4.57 m
Sail Area:     8290 ft2 770 m2
Displacement:     176 LT 178 tonnes
Classification:     RINA C HULLMACH-Y-SHORT RANGE
Machinery:     Caterpillar 320hp.
Gensets: Northern Lights     Northern Lights
       
Naval Architect:     Sparkman & Stephens Inc.
Greenwich CT. USA
Builders:     Spirit Yachts Ltd. Ipswich UK.
Interior Design:     Sean McMillan, Spirit Yachts
Project Manager:     Innes McGowan
Original Design:     W. Starling Burgess and Sparkman & Stephens

A Scow Rises in Vineyard Haven, A Photo Update

Last October we wrote about Ted Box's effort to build a scow on Beach Rd. in Vineyard Haven, MA. Here are the photos we posted. Now here's an update as the scow has sprouted a few more ribs and is starting to take shape. Slow work, but Ted has only a few helpers. Check back for more updates in May.

Gannon & Benjamin's New Family Sailboat Takes Shape in Their Vineyard Haven Shipyard

This winter work began on Nat Benjamin’s newest daysailer, Design #78, a family boat built for Vineyard waters for adventures near and somewhat far.

This newest vessel in the Benjamin & Gannon catalog can carry either a gaff or Marconi rig and two of them are already on order with a scheduled launch for early summer 2012. 

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

The generous sail area, long LWL and powerful quarters are designed for good performance as well as good looks that would make it attractive to younger sailors for racing and adventuring. 

Older sailors will appreciate the bench seats and comfortable coaming to support the lower back. The boat will have painted topsides, deck and bottom. Only the spars will be varnished.

Varnish can be used, if requested, but G&B recommends tung oil finish on the coamings and guard rails, and Penefin for the interior in order to keep the maintenance low. 

The keel is made of angelique, and locust and white oak will be used for the stem and frames.  Planking will be white cedar.  Fastenings will be silicon bronze and copper rivets.           

The deck will be marine plywood covered with canvas. The cock-pit coamings and trim will be in silver balli and wana. 

Specs:  LOD 18’3"       LWL: 17’5"  

BEAM:  6’3"    DRAFT: 10"/3’9"   SAIL AREA: 171sf   

See more photos on the G&B website.

 

 

DVD about the Building of the Wooden Boat 'Charlotte' Now Available

The long-awaited moment has arrived: "Charlotte" debuts on DVD today! The film is available at CharlotteTheFilm.com and participating independent bookstores and maritime museums.

"Catch hold of the passion for craftsmanship – and the craft – that emerge with such grace from this yard. If you care even a little about such things, you cannot be unmoved by the portrait this lovely film paints." — Jon Wilson, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, WoodenBoat magazine.

"If you are a boatbuilder, love a boatbuilder or ever dreamed of being a boatbuilder, the beautifully filmed and absolutely authentic documentary Charlotte takes you inside the boatshop, into the bay, through the seasons, travails and bliss of traditional boatbuilding." — Kaci Cronkhite, Director, Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival

BONUS FEATURES:

- Interviews with Nat Benjamin, builder and owner of "Charlotte", Gannon & Benjamin boatwrights, and more.
- Commentary by director Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte and cinematographer Brian Dowley.
- Additional scenes.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION:

Copyright: 2011 Antidote International Films, Inc.
Running Time: 1 Hour, 36 Minutes
Picture Format: Widescreen
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Sound: English 5.1

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

With the first break in the weather in a long time, the wind calmed down and the sun came out on Vineyard Haven harbor this weekend. On my way to the harbor I passed by the scow that is being being built in Boch Park on Beach Road.

As I walked by a man working on the boat asked me, "How's your back?" "Fine," I said, a little confused. "Good," he said, "Lift this."

The "this" was a frame for the scow. I stepped in and with another man lifted it into place while he tightened some clamps to hold it in place. His name is Ted Box and he has been building boats for 18 years. Scows, he explained, were the workhorses of the age of sail, used like barges for hauling and other unglamorous jobs.


The keel--what you see is what you get--is complete as scows are made with a flat bottom so they can be pulled up onto the beach and unloaded.

The scow, which is beamy to maximize cargo space and uses a centerboard, will be 70 feet long when it is ready to be moved in 18 months from its makeshift shelter.

Heavy timbers give gravitas to the fledgling vessel.

Box envisions his creation eventually joining the pantheon of iconic boats that fill Vineyard Haven Harbor--Shenandoah, Alabama, Juno, Charlotte, When and If and the rest.

The frames are made of white oak which Box buys from New England Naval Timbers.

Box smiles, yet the majority of his work is still in front of him. My lifting of the frame in place reminds me of the story of the two bricklayers who were asked what they were doing. The first one said, "I'm building a wall." The second one proudly replied, "I'm building a cathedral." At least for a day, I helped build a scow.

1st Morris-built Leadership 44 Set to be Launched for US Coast Guard Academy

Leadership 44 Shearwater ready for its commissioning.

The cadets at the United States Coast Guard Academy are soon going to be training in style. That's because Morris Yachts will launch the first of its Leadership 44s on Wednesday, May 18th at 11 am at the Morris boatyard in Bass Harbor, Maine. Named Shearwater, the Leadership 44 training vessel is the first of four, and possibly eight, Coast Guard craft to be built.

Designed by David Pedrick.

Morris won the contract to build the vessels after a nine-month proposal process and was selected over several other prestigious yards including Goetz, Hinckley, Pearson and Tartan. Since the money for the vessels is being raised privately, the initial contract was to build four boat of the possible eight total.

The Leadership 44 is designed by David Pedrick and based on his design for the U.S. Navy sail program. The new vessels will replace the elegant, but decades-old, Luders sailing craft.

Morris Service Open House
You are invited to witness the launch at the Morris service yard where a light lunch will be served, followed by a Morris Service Open House. Guests will have the opportunity to tour the Bass Harbor facility and review some of this winter’s projects, including an update on Bandera, the custom 56 that received a complete core removal and replacement.

For more information on the Leadership 44 project click here. Please email or call Morris Yarchts to let them know you are attending. Call 1-207-244-5509 or email.

Leadership 44 sailplan.

Catamaran vs. Monohull: Which Is Better? One Thing Is There Are More of Them

Discovery 50: CW 2011 Best Catamaran and Import Boat of the Year. Photo by Billy Black.

Catamarans are gaining ground on traditional monohulled boats in a number of ways. As a traditional monohull fan, I'm not happy. For one thing, sailing magazines are taking away editorial space, photo opportunities and pages away from monohull coverage. The June issue of Cruising World is a catamaran special.

The America's Cup has suddenly become uninteresting with mega-Cats with airplane wings for sails careening over the water, unless, of course, there's too much or too little wind for their captain's Goldilocks-just-right wind conditions. Curious and concerned about this trend, I wrote to the editor of Cruising World, Mark Phillsbury, asking him about the growth of cats. He was kind enough to send back a detailed and considered response. See our email exhange below.

Dear Mark,

I have enjoyed Cruising World for many years going back to my days at Golf Digest when the NYT owned the magazine. I have a question about catamarans. Why are we seeing so much of them in the magazine? Is the world changing?

As a monohull boat owner (Cape Dory 270), I get no thrill from reading or seeing cats in the magazine. Part of the wonder of sailing is the beauty of a boat under sail. You don't get that sense of wonder with a cat which looks more to me like a floating condo.

Can cat and monohull owners can be best served within the pages of the same publication? Do you think the current compromise is serving both markets well?  I'd be interested in your thoughts as well as your answers to my questions.

Many thanks,

David Lott
Founder & Publisher
WaterViewHome Network

Hi David,

The reason you’re seeing more catamarans in the magazine these days is because more people are sailing them. It’s that simple. On the new boat front, it’s the segment of the market where sales continue to grow, meaning they are gaining sailors and owners and market share with each passing season.

In the Caribbean, the charter fleets really reflect this trend. The reason is pretty simple: they’re very comfortable vacationing platforms, don’t heel (the non-sailors love this), and some of the newer ones are actually quite fun to sail. And you’re hearing this from a lifelong monohull, antique 12-meter, Alden Schooner lover.

A month or so ago I was sailing on Sydney Harbor when a front came through with 40-knots on the deck. We were on a Seawind catamaran having a spirited ride while all around us the monos had rails and cabins in the water and crews scrambling to get their sails down and engines started.

Since CW does not cover racing, the fact that the America's Cup will use them is really not an issue. But, personally I think the level of excitement they’ll provide the sport will be a very, very good thing. Do I love to see the afore mentioned Gleam and Northern Light trade tacks on a summer afternoon here in Newport? You betcha, but man its fun, too, watching a bunch of AC Cats with their wing sails crash around the buoys like a swarm of mosquitoes. And then there’s the high-speed crash and burn factor...

At this point in the evolution of Cats, I’d guess we’re about circa 1965-1970 or so in the debate over wood vs. fiberglass. I well recall the days when the woodies looked with great disdain at anything plastic. Fast forward to present and the craftiest of the craftsmen are working in wood-based composites and building some very untraditional looking boats.

And now the glass guys with the old boats made to look like wood are trashing the tubby-sterned “marina queens.” The same is happening with cats. Maybe the older ones truly were dogs to look at, but the more I see some of the higher-end designs like the Gunboats, some of Morrelli and Melvin’s latest creations, etc., the more I ‘m finding they have their good looks, too. Different, but good.

CW does still run one Cat issue a year, but because our readers, or perhaps more importantly, our contributors are increasingly out exploring the world on two hulls, they really have made their way into the mainstream and find their way into just plain good old sailing stories.

And Maine! Cats are even finding homes in those quaint rock-strewn harbors Down East. In fact, with harbor and dock space at a premium (and sometimes a impediment to owning a boat), cats are an emerging alternative since they can be moored or tied up in much shallower water than a monohull with keel.

Here at CW, where I had the new-boat beat and Boat of the Year for a few go-rounds, I had to forego my preference for the Bristol 40s and Morris Yachts, and appreciate the fact that there are people out their who love their big white production boats just as much.

It’s the same with cats. If people like them and two hulls will get them out on the water, who is CW to tell them they’re wrong? It would be like me telling you that you shouldn’t enjoy a slightly dated, overly built boat with a full keel, even though she is a beaut!

Best,
Mark Pillsbury
Editor, Cruising World Magazine

Read More Cat vs Monohull debates: from Boatsafe, from BayYacht.

 

The New Alerion-Express 45 Coming into Focus Under the Talented Staff at Pearson

The new Alerion-Express 45.

The exciting new Alerion-Express 45 is currently under development by Pearson’s talented staff of designer’s and engineers. The hull master pattern will be robotically machined by Pearson Precision Tooling beginning in May of this year with the debut of hull #1.

The design brief for the stunning new 45 was clearly defined right from the outset

    * Maintain strong family resemblance and performance heritage of the 33 and 38.
    * Maintain the philosophy of single Handed Ease and Alerion Sailing with low force level of operation for which the marque is renowned.
    * Provide the purchaser with endless sailing enjoyment and stress free ownership.

Derived from DNA of Alerion-Express
The profile shows the natural development from the 33 and 38 with an elegant sheer, low coachroof, elliptical port lights (to be opening in this model). The bow and stern profiles use the same geometry and family of curves that are derived from the very DNA of Alerion-Express.

The cockpit (or funpit) is the heart and sole of the 45. Maintaining the format of her smaller sisters with comfortable settees port and starboard and command center aft.

However, the 45 has room for a fixed pedestal table with a built in foot brace and winch island that accommodate powerful Lewmar 54 self tailing electric winches. The Alerion Express 45 sets a new low in the force level required to sail a 45 footer.

Aft the helmsperson can feel every nuance of the pulse of this thoroughbred through the pedestal mounted composite steering wheel. Control of all the sailing functions are close at hand. Push button winch controls, manual hydraulic vang and traveler adjustments, auto pilot or auxiliary, mainsheet or furler. The 45 takes Alerion Sailing to the next logical exciting plateau.

Removable helm coaming bolster.

The uncluttered deck layout afforded by under deck control line leads has allowed the design team to add such innovative features as a below decks stowing anchor chute and anchor windlass which allows an uninterrupted sweep of the sheer while underway. While aft is the main traveler with below deck hydraulic control and the “piece de résistance”: The water access system (see rendering).

Convertable transom allows easy water access. Illustration by Steve Davis.

This option enables the transom to be converted to a marvelous boarding area either from swimming or from a dinghy. The convertibility aspect of the water access feature, as with the anchor chute forward, allows the clean lines of the hull to be unspoiled while underway or taking pride of place at any anchorage.

Below Decks
Below decks the Alerion Express 45’s interior is second to none. The hand-finished paneled bulkheads and doors are masterpieces of modern day production yacht construction with more than an acknowledging nod to the days of Vanderbilt and Sopwith. The 45 interior can be bespoke (as the British like to say) that is finished in the owner’s choice of American Cherry, exotic Teak or a combination of wood furniture and white painted bulkheads.

The main cabin features wonderfully comfortable settee berths forward with the starboard seat section pulling out as required to form a comfortable double should the occasion arise when extra berths are needed. The spacious lockers outboard of the settees are accessed via beautifully crafted, solid wood, raised panel doors.

In these days of electronic navigation a formal chart table has been replaced by a desk large enough for a lap top computer. Stowage for an assortment of necessities and sundry items is provided in the desk along with room for the laptop.

Outboard of the desk is the back-lit main electrical panel mounted in a locker face. There is has plenty of space forward of the panel to add the additional electronics that are desired.

The galley to starboard provides all the necessities for onboard meal preparation. Hot and cold pressure water, deep stainless steel sink, vacuum panel insulated refrigerated ice box and two burner LPG stove with an oven.

As with everything in life this arrangement may not suit all owners and their crews. Alerion-Express is always prepared to work with individual clients to customize the 45 to suit their needs.

Accommodations
Aft of the galley is the entry door to a second sleeping cabin that provides privacy for a second couple not always found on other yachts of this class. This light airy cabin can be a haven for those wanting to grab a quick nap while the fun continues either on deck or below.

The spacious head compartment with ready access to the companionway and interior accommodations features a sizeable circular shower area and electric head.

Light and ventilation are provided by an overhead Lewmar hatch and a Stainless steel opening port in the house side. Light and ventilation in general is provided by 7 opening ports and 6 skylights plus the companionway.

Completing the interior ensemble is the remarkably spacious forward cabin, accessed via double opening paneled doors in the main bulkhead. These doors can be secured in the open position to open the interior to its full extent for those times when privacy is not required.

Passage Yachts Blog By now you will understand why the Alerion Express 45 will be such an  exceptional yacht, and such an exceptional experience.

Other Features

    * Big powerful rig with carbon spars and North 3DL sails for exceptional performance
    * Thoroughbred hull lines coupled with rudder and keel designs that are all Alerion Express
    * A wonderful cockpit design that is ergonomically perfect for daysailing enjoyment and single hand ease
    * Low force level of operation with energy saving race-tuned equipment and systems
    * A powerful 75hp diesel auxiliary
    * An elegance of design that instills a pride of ownership without peer

For more information, visit the Alerion website.

Holmes Hole SA Celebrates at Mid-Winter Dinner, Offers Visions & Boating Updates

More than 30 sailors and spouses attended the Holmes Hole Sailing Association mid-winter dinner at the Wharf in Edgartown on Sunday, Feb. 13.

New Commodore Dan Culkin spoke after dinner welcoming everyone and gave out brass plaques to the season series winners who attended.

Roger Becker (above left), the erstwhile handicapper, unveiled a new boat rating system in which he was assisted by his PhD daughter. Looking at his charts you could understand why. The fleet is anxiously awaiting his final numbers.

One of the three options for dinner, this was the salmon (verdict: very good!).

HHSA News Shorts
Here are some mid-winter updates from those who couldn't make the dinner.

"Our Sonar is in RI at Waterline Systems getting repaired.  It was a sad day when she hit the beach, but I feel confident that Waterline will do a good job.  It took some time to get the insurance company and Waterline to work together, but I think all is going to be ok."
 
"We are in FL until April avoiding the snow up north.  I have been working on the YHYC Yearbook with Jack Gagnon and Margot Weston. Jack is doing a great job on layout and design and Margo has put in a ton of hours trying to get the directory as complete and correct as possible."-- Mary Worrell
 

Encore under sail in an earlier time.

"Greetings from Jackson Hole WY where we’ve had an excellent winter to date, 325” up on the hill. Are you aware that Tom Graham sold/traded SWALLOWS and bought ENCORE, one of G&B’s early boats and Nat is in the midst of a major redo? Cheers from us both." John & Lisa Stout

"Jill and I are doing well, but looking forward to the summer at VH and being with u all. We now have two grandchildren, William (2) who has been with us on the boat at VH, and our new grandchild of 2 weeks, Emma,---9.8 lbs!!! All doing fine.  'Arrant Rose' is having some inside work done, but we plan to take her back home to VH late May"-- Rich Glaser

Finally, I bumped into Mo Flam on the ferry as I was leaving the island. He was on his way to Rhode Island to look at his new Alerion28. He later sent me a photo, see below!

This new Alerion28 will join the HHSA fleet in 2011.

Send your Holmes Hole updates to David Lott.

M29 Bonita To Be Shown at San Diego Sunroad Boat Show January 27-30

The Newest M-Series makes its West Coast debut.

The folks at Morris Yachts offer their thanks to the owner of M29 Bonita for graciously allowing them to show her off at the Sunroad Boat Show in San Diego, being held Jan. 27-30.

Bonita is the first M29 delivered to the West Coast and this show is practically in her back yard, so it's appropriate that Bonita make her debut in front of her home crowd.

Maine-based Morris Yacht brokers Eric Roos and Prent Weathers will be trading their parkas and for sunscreen to attend the show. Show hours are Thursday and Friday 12-6pm and Saturday and Sunday 10-6pm. If you have been waiting to see the M29 now is your chance to view her without traveling to the East Coast.

To set up an appointment at Morris Yachts, call 1-207-244-5509. Next event that Morris will be attending is the Miami Private Event in Coconut Grove - February 17-20.