spirit yachts bbc

• Buy a Classic Boat
• Southampton Boat Show
• Print Subscription
• Digital Subscription
• Single Issues

Your special offer

Suffolk-based Spirit Yachts set to star in BBC ‘We Are England’

Leading yacht design and build company Spirit Yachts will be the focus of a BBC documentary titled Making Waves: Building Boats airing on BBC One East on Friday 11 th November at 7.30pm.

As part of the wider BBC series ‘We Are England’, the programme tells the story of Ipswich-based Spirit Yachts; from its beginnings in a humble cow shed to the award-winning modern classic yachts being launched by the company today.

The series has a sustainability theme running throughout, highlighting companies lowering the carbon footprint of their products.  Spirit Yachts has won several awards for its environmental innovation and initiatives, which are explored in the documentary.

Spirit Yachts’ founder and CEO Sean McMillan commented, “We are looking forward to watching the programme as a team this evening; this is a proud moment for all of us.  The creation of a Spirit yacht is down to an extremely talented group of individuals working together to design and build a person’s dream.  The documentary will open our doors to the public to share an insight into how we create each one of our custom wooden yachts.”

Karen Underwood, Spirit Yachts’ Managing Director, added, “With COP27 highlighting the need for global climate action, we are proud to be part of a series championing British companies lowering the carbon footprint of their products.”

The documentary will feature another Suffolk-based firm, OneSails GBR (East).  Based on the River Orwell at Levington, OneSails has been Spirit Yachts’ sailmaker partner since Spirit Yachts was founded in 1993.

Owner of the OneSails GBR (East) sail loft John Parker added, “It’s a fantastic opportunity to be included in the documentary alongside a great British brand like Spirit Yachts.  Even if you are not a sailor, the craftsmanship, technology, and expertise that go into making a Spirit yacht and her sails are truly fascinating.”

Making Waves: Building Boats will show on BBC One at 7.30pm on Friday 11 th November.  The programme will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer during and after it is aired.

www.spirityachts.com

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM CLASSIC BOAT

How D-Day Actually Worked: Operation Details 80 Years Later

1956 Powerboating World Champion Restored: Saving Berlin VI

Classic Yachts Magazine 2024: Out Now!

Classic Boat is the magazine for the world’s most beautiful boats. Packed with stunning images, we have the inside stories of the great classic yachts and motorboats afloat today, as well as fascinating tales from yesteryear and the latest from the wooden boat building scene around the world.

• Telegraph.co.uk

ADVERTISING

© 2024 The Chelsea Magazine Company , part of the Telegraph Media Group . Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy

Spirit Yachts to feature in BBC Documentary

More news from All At Sea

UK PREMIERE OF THE ALL-NEW DUFOUR 44 AT SOUTHAMPTON

2026 Golden Globe Race – two years to go!

Yamaha Motor returns to SIBS with extensive range on display and on-water Helm Master EX demo

SWISS SCORE VITAL WIN ON DAY SIX OF THE LOUIS VUITTON CUP

Fine margins and exciting racing on day six of the Louis Vuitton Cup

Expedition Zero to Unveil Groundbreaking “Net Zero” Yacht Design at Southampton International Boat Show

Radio Icon Steve Power to electrify boat show with first-ever live performance and exclusive interviews

Sharing the vision of a premium selection of marinas at the autumn boat shows

Privacy overview.

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Spirit Yachts: Inside the British yard behind some of the world’s most beautiful boats

• February 6, 2020

Few builders possess the power of seduction demonstrated by British wood epoxy experts Spirit Yachts. David Glenn reports

Spirit Yachts’s workforce with one of the laminated sapele frames of the Spirit 111. Photo: Emily Harris

Highly stylised furniture

Two of the defining features of the Spirit 111 are aesthetics and a determination to use modern technology to make the yacht as efficient as possible, reducing the amount of fossil fuel required.

In profile she has a noticeably low freeboard and while the owner was warned this might limit headroom in the ends of the accommodation he was prepared to sacrifice this for looks. “The freeboard is just 1.4m which means she looks stunning – she’s more J then a J,” said Sean McMillan who is clearly relishing working with a client who won’t let anything get in the way of aesthetics.

Using some unusual, highly stylised furniture as guidance on how he wanted the interior designed, the client went to Rhoades Young in the UK to develop the accommodation. The result, which suits the use of wood construction perfectly, is quite extraordinary.

The yacht’s drive train comprises a 200hp electric engine served by four banks of lithium ion batteries providing a 380V system. The technology has been developed by the German outboard manufacturer Torqeedo, which has branched out into other forms of what it calls ‘water-based electromobility’ in response to the need for boats to be super eco-friendly on European inland lakes.

Nigel Stuart and Sean McMillan visited several companies developing the technology and were impressed by what they saw at Torqeedo in Gilching, Bavaria. One of the attractions is that the company considers the system as a whole, including batteries, the drive train to the folding Gori propeller, the ‘freewheeling’ prop generator system while sailing, and smart control to keep electricity consumption to a minimum.

The electric propulsion package perfectly suits the Spirit 111’s easily driven hull and relatively light displacement of just 59 tonnes. The batteries, which are similar to those used by BMW for their i3 and i8 electric cars, have a nine-year warranty and are small enough to fit under the yacht’s cabin sole in way of the keel.

It is anticipated that the Spirit 111 will be able to remain in quiet ship mode (no generator running) using all domestic appliances including air conditioning and water making for three to four days, assuming charging via the propeller while sailing can be achieved for up to five hours a day. Recharging the batteries using the yacht’s twin 25kw/33hp four-cylinder Torqeedo generators takes just four hours.

The deckhouse of a new Spirit in build showing the fan skylight. Photo: Emily Harris

In addition to propulsion efficiency, low current means running motors for cooling systems for the battery bank and the electric engine itself, plus pumps for the hydraulic system and a Webasto electric water heater, will also be far more efficient through smart control and monitoring. If these targets can be reached, the Spirit 111 will use half the amount of fuel than that of a conventional system, demonstrating a big advance in the search for the genuinely eco-friendly superyacht.

Another yacht in search of low consumption, and attracting considerable attention, is the recently-launched Spirit P70 motor yacht . She’s a semi-displacement fast cruiser with a top speed of 25 knots, whose owner required a 1,000nm range at 18 knots enabling him to complete cruises from Hamble in the UK to Scandinavia and back without refuelling.

Her advantageous power-to-weight ratio is achieved through her lightweight timber construction requiring two MAN diesel inboard engines of just 800hp each to reach the required performance. She carries 10,000lt of fuel, divided into five tanks, which is automatically distributed between the tanks to maintain efficient trim as the fuel is consumed. With luxurious accommodation on three levels this is a businesslike-looking yacht capable of high average speeds in almost all sea conditions.

The P70 powerboat hull in the early stages of build with major engineering fitting such as engine and stabilisers. Photo: Emily Harris

With these three yachts alone, Spirit Yachts is displaying not only its known ability in sophisticated wood epoxy construction, but also its keenness to use advanced technology available from other industries. It’s a powerful combination likely to attract considerable attention in the demanding world of superyachting.

The Spirit Yachts story: From a cowshed in Saxmundham to building superyachts

Spirit Yachts has come a long way since a 37-footer called Spirit was built in a cowshed in Saxmundham in 1993. The hull of this beautiful long-ended, wood epoxy sloop was so light that Sean McMillan and his late business partner Mick Newman could pick it up between them and turn it over for completion.

Demand for larger yachts soon grew with eleven 46s built to date, four 52s and many other sizes including a 56, 74 and the 100-footer Gaia . Despite a steady flow of orders over the years and a big spike in interest when a Spirit 54 ‘starred’ in the James Bond movie Casino Royale , Sean McMillan had to spend a lot of time explaining the advantages of building in wood epoxy to the boat buying public.

Daniel Craig took the helm of a Spirit 54 in Casino Royale

“Thirty years ago people thought wooden boats were dirty smelly things, difficult to maintain with dodgy stuff lurking in the bilges,” said McMillan. “The journey has involved subtly re-educating the yachting public about composite wooden yachts.”

Due to its epoxy saturated protection, composite wood yachts are almost maintenance-free, they are easy to repair and can be done so invisibly, maintains Sean McMillan. The very structure of the hull is, without doubt, a thing of beauty something illustrated by the interior of the stripped out Spirit 52D Oui Fling . And it is the outward appearance of the Spirit genre that gives it its must-have status.

In 2007 Spirit Yachts launched five yachts including the 100ft Gaia , but it was also the year in which Sean lost his business partner Mick Newman, who died in a light aircraft crash in Turkey. Shortly after that in 2008 the financial crisis hit, although the effects didn’t filter down to Spirit Yachts until 2010 when business slowed.

The stripped-out interior of the Spirit 52D Oui Fling exhibits the yard’s craftsmanship. Photo: Mike Bowden

When Nigel Stuart arrived in 2013, the first thing he did was replace the industrial style metal door leading to reception with a solid mahogany one. He booked a stand at the Düsseldorf Boat Show, fired up the media machine and sat Sean down at his drawing board.

Stuart has also encouraged the company to re-define its range, which now includes, The Classic Style (Spirit 46,52, 56); The Cruising Style (Spirit 47CR, 55CR); The Deckhouse Range (Spirit DH57, DH60); Spirit Superyachts (100 to 130) and then the entirely bespoke. Spirit Yachts expanded into new, modern premises in 2017, making the build process faster. In all respects it’s a very long way indeed from that cowshed in Saxmundham…

The go-faster factor

A key player in almost all Spirit Yachts projects is John Parker of OneSails, based in Suffolk Yacht Harbour. He is passionate about Spirit’s modern classic ethos. His sails are not only Spirit’s preferred choice, but clients are urged to discuss their needs from early on in a project.

The interior of the Spirit 74 is beautifully built in ruby rich mahogany and flooded with light. Photo: Anthony Morris

“It’s important to understand how people are likely to use their yachts,” said Nigel Stuart. “Are they setters and leavers, or non-stop tweakers? Will they simply go cruising or take to the race course?” Based on these facts carbon mast specification can be decided.

“We try to futureproof yachts by building in items like additional sheave boxes and mast track laminate reinforcement for spinnaker poles – it’s amazing how many clients seem convinced they don’t want to race but end up being tempted,” said Stuart.

Low friction rings, soft shackles and bespoke, colour-coded running rigging – even hand stitched leather winch handle pockets – are all part of what’s on offer to ensure clients get the best out of their Spirit and that the boat looks the part.

Adapted and updated from an article published in the September 2017 edition of Yachting World.

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Highly stylised furniture

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

On board the award-winning Spirit 111 flagship sailing yacht Geist

BOAT International steps on board Geist , the flagship of British shipyard Spirit Yachts that combines classic beauty and green technology with beguiling grace...

When Spirit Yachts’ flagship grew from 27 to 34 metres overall before she had even left the drawing board, she was already destined for the record books. At this size she would be the largest wooden sloop-rigged yacht to be built in the UK since the famous J Class yacht Shamrock V back in 1930. Given her long, elegant lines and low freeboard, so typical of the J Class , it was an interesting comparison from the off. And there was more to come.

The decision to head from Spirit Yachts’ yard in Ipswich on the east coast of the UK to Gosport in the south for the sea trials, was intended to make it easier to get into open water. But it was also a move that provided another connection with Sir Thomas Lipton’s famous America’s Cup challenger. The Gosport base for the Spirit 111’s sea trials was the famous Camper & Nicholsons yard (now Endeavour Quay), where Shamrock and the three other British J Class yachts had been built in the 1930s.

Unlike the competitive Js, the Spirit 111, named Geist , has been designed for a more relaxed life – a cruiser with the ability to take part in the occasional regatta. And while she’s been built in a traditional material, her wood epoxy composite construction on a steel space frame takes advantage of the very latest materials and techniques.

From her carbon mast with its non-metallic rigging, to her advanced sail- handling systems, her classic looks conceal a very advanced technical specification. For example, a bank of four BMW lithium batteries and a 100kW Torqeedo propulsion system capable of regenerating power once under way lie at the heart of her operational hardware.

Another significant difference is in the intended make-up of her crew. Here, the biggest clue as to how she has been designed to be operated can be found in her layout below decks.  Aside from being beautiful, it offers an owner’s cabin and three guest doubles – far fewer than you might expect of a boat this size. Furthermore, there is no skipper or crew accommodation: this is clearly an owner/driver superyacht.

Wherever you look, the Spirit 111 is a fascinating boat and when you talk to her creators, (“builders” seems so inappropriate for something so artful and innovative) it becomes clear that the project was a voyage of discovery for them at times too.

“In the early stages we built a model and presented it to the owner who said, ‘No, it looks a bit dumpy. Can’t we pull out the bow and stern?’” explains Spirit Yachts’ managing director Nigel Stuart.

“So the boat grew, but not the freeboard – but this was just the start. As you’d expect in the accommodation, the Sipo mahogany walls were drawn to sit vertically but they ended up raked, sweeping around the accommodation with a crease. There are no door handles and American walnut was used around corners in ways you simply wouldn’t expect and many believed couldn’t be done. The saloon table has 64 individually made legs, while the seating that wraps around it took a dedicated team 2,000 working hours to build. ‘Organic’ was a word that was used endlessly throughout the project.”

Designed by Rhoades Young and Spirit Yachts, her interior is extraordinary. “The client had recently visited Antelope Canyon in Arizona and this was the catalyst for the idea of the warm, soft flowing walls creating unique focal points within the room,” says Rhoades Young partner Jonathan Rhoades. Based on a set of linked circles which sweep around in an S-shape, the bulk of the accommodation is set amidships. The saloon, galley and navigation area is one open, circular area, lit from overhead by Spirit’s trademark fan windows in the deck.

From cooker to chart plotter, every item of equipment can be hidden behind slick fitted panels where the grain provides seamless continuity. Combined with vellum panels and an ingenious lighting system that not only switches on and off automatically but also balances itself against the ambient light, the overall appearance is striking.

Devoid of any decoration or soft furnishings, it looks a little stark at first, but this is an interior to savour. Like walking into a gallery at the Tate Modern, when you stop and look you start to get drawn into the light, the lines and the subtle range of colours that sweep through her interior. It’s an intoxicating experience.

It’s difficult to do the accommodation justice in a few words, other than to say that it has to be one of the most extraordinary yacht interiors I’ve ever seen. From the minute the electric motor propels you silently from the dock, through the effortless hoisting of the in-boom furling mainsail and the roller furling headsail, it is clear how much distance there is between the 111 and a J Class. The classic yachts of the 1930s require well in excess of 20 crew to race them – we cruise around the Solent with just five on board, and really only three are necessary to handle the boat.

On the helm she’s a very different boat to a J. She’s amazingly light, direct and beautifully balanced, steering herself upwind with ease. In 12 knots of true breeze we slice uphill at nine knots. Downwind she’s just as silky smooth and while she’s clearly a very large yacht, she’s also a proper sailing boat with all the feel you’d expect of something a third of her size.

I’m privileged to have taken the helm of both Shamrock V and Endeavour and while these were both very special moments, the fact remains that Geist has a much better feel on the wheel. And so she should.

Her fin and bulb keel along with the carbon spade rudder contrast starkly with the less- efficient rudder that was hung off the trailing edge of the keel on a J Class. At 65 tonnes fully laden she’s also less than half the weight of a J Class. While neither of these characteristics are that easy to see, they are good examples of 80 years of progress.

So, while the Spirit 111 was never envisaged as a modern-day J Class or engaging in the type of sailing that the Js became famous for, she does represent a similar approach: using modern materials and techniques to push the boundaries of design and technology, while at the same time delivering elegance that will turn heads, whatever the era.

The wood works

As a boat that glorifies wood – from her hull to her interior design – it was vital that the Spirit 111’s timber was ethically sourced to fit the yacht’s green ethos. For Douglas fir the yard went to Canada, which it knew had robust regulations. “Those forests have been commercially managed for over 100 years,” says Spirit Yachts’ managing director Nigel Stuart. “They plant two trees for one [felled] and they only harvest one per cent of the timber in Canada a year.”

Taking it a step further, the father of the yard’s timber dealer went to the forest to record “exactly where those trees were felled”. Sipo wood was sourced from Forest Stewardship Council-run forests in West Africa and the teak was also responsibly sourced – although since the project began four years ago, the yard’s view on teak in general has changed. 

“There have been certain cases highlighted [within yachting] where teak was bought with the best intentions, but was later found to have actually come from Burma – with all the implications that entails. So that’s why we said that we can’t trust the paperwork.” Instead, the yard now uses Lignia, an alternative from sustainably managed softwood plantations, treated to provide a durable timber that looks and feels just like teak.

But the careful sourcing of wood was only a fraction of the work. The timber is machined into planks before being air-dried for months (a low-energy method). At the yard it is sliced into the required thickness, mostly six millimetres for the interior, revealing the grain’s beautiful flames. “Then we store it on site to let it settle for two or three months,” says Stuart. “It has a tendency to relax when we treat it like this.”

Then the joiners get to work, using only hand tools. “I think we’ve probably got the finest joinery team in the world,” says Stuart. To give an idea of the skill required for this extraordinary interior, he points to the grain on a bathroom wall. It runs all the way from the ceiling, down the wall, undulating over the sink, and down to the floor – perpendicular all the way. This was installed in three separate sections with the grains perfectly matched. That means hundreds of pieces of wood, each referring to each other. Mess up one of the three sections and you start again from scratch.

So fine was the work, they spent eight months making eight doors with flared handholds. They even invented a new method of steam bending walnut wood, which is particularly rigid. The result, however, is one of the most impressive examples of woodwork afloat.

This feature is taken from the October 2020 issue of BOAT International. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.

More about this yacht

More stories, most recent, from our partners, sponsored listings.

• THE PRINCESS PASSPORT
• Email Newsletter
• Yacht Walkthroughs
• Destinations
• Electronics
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

• By Herb McCormick, photos by Billy Black
• Updated: January 17, 2012

Spirit 46 Main

Like many self-professed adrenaline junkies, Tina Felix doesn’t look like one. A lawyer by profession as well as a mother of four, at first glance she seems the very essence of those solid, grounded pursuits. Her “other side” was revealed early last fall on Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay, where a crisp northerly gusting toward 25 knots was coursing down the East Passage. Aboard Bamboozle , the Spirit 46 she owns with her spouse, Kevin, I was tagging along with the couple for the short but lively beat from Newport to Portsmouth.

We were two or perhaps three tacks into it, spray flying, clawing to windward at nearly 7 knots, when Tina suggested we shake out the single reef. The pumping breeze ever so slightly overpowered us, and the boat gained only a 10th or two of a knot. Tina seemed satisfied, though, and I completely understood why. With Bamboozle ‘s slim beam, low profile and long overhangs, she appeared above the waterline to be from a different era, but she was a wolf in sheep’s clothing: Thanks to a tall Southern Spars carbon rig, high-tech Quantum sails, the deep fin keel and ballast bulb, and a spade rudder, she tracked to weather as if possessed.

“Spirit is a pretty well-known brand in Europe and the United Kingdom, but this is our first foray into the United States,” the company’s founder, Sean McMillan, said last September while exhibiting Bamboozle at the Newport International Boat Show. “We started 17 years ago with the intention of building very beautiful, modern, classic boats. … The most significant thing was getting away from the long keel/keel-hung rudder configuration that all classics had. If you start with a ‘narrowish’ boat — but not uncomfortably narrow — with a firm turn in the bilge so it’s got good form stability and shallow rocker, you’re making a small hole in the water, with very efficient foils and a very efficient rig. You can’t really miss, frankly.”

View more photos.

What also separates Spirit from almost every other builder of traditional-style series yachts is the boats’ wood/epoxy construction. Like all Spirits, the 46 is built on laminated ring frames usually fashioned from Brazilian cedar, a strong, dark hardwood that looks like mahogany but at half the weight; the keelson is Oregon pine. The first layer of planking on the 46 is also Brazilian cedar (on bigger boats that are less weight sensitive, the choice is Douglas fir), and it’s glued to the ring frames to form a monocoque structure that’s then faired before a series of double-diagonal veneers are applied. The builders add a layer of glass/epoxy to stabilize the surface prior to the Awlgrip finish.

The deck is swept teak; the brightwork is highly varnished Brazilian mahogany. The keel is an SG steel foil to which a torpedo-shape lead ballast bulb is bolted. The stainless-steel rudderstock supports a finely tuned foam-cored carbon rudder. Custom hardware abounds. The attention to detail is staggering. The end result is irresistible.

Like most Spirit owners, the Felixes visited the yard as their boat, the 10th 46 to be built, came into existence before their eyes, an experience that McMillan strongly encourages. “They’re virtually custom boats,” he said. “You can have any interior you want. It’s not like buying one off the shelf. The owners have to work with us for a year or 15 months or more to create this thing, and that’s a big commitment. The more they come to visit, the better we can keep coming together to stay on exactly the same track they want.”

While McMillan said he’d delivered prior 46s with a variety of interior arrangements — an open floor plan, one cabin and two cabins — the Felixes chose a rather standard layout with a V-berth and head forward, a pair of opposing settees and dining table in the central salon, and the galley and navigation station, to port and starboard respectively, at the foot of the companionway. The joinery work is remarkable; the 46 is literally a yacht where one “takes the furniture” sailing. The one and only thing the boat lacks down below is a place to stand up; headroom is about 5 feet 2 inches.

To underscore the fact that the Felixes’ 46 is optimized for sailing and that they spend the majority of their time aboard topside, Bamboozle ‘s cockpit is two feet longer than those on her sister ships. She’s also the only Spirit to be tricked out with Harken hardware, which Kevin specifically requested.

Though our destination was dead upwind, once we were past the Newport bridge, we couldn’t resist the urge to bear away and ease the sheets, if only for a few moments. While we didn’t record the 21 knots of boat speed that another 46 notched during a race the previous year — many owners enjoy competing in the ever-growing Spirit of Tradition divisions at classic-yacht regattas — the knotmeter immediately ascended into double figures, topping off at nearly 11 knots. Unfortunately, too soon we hardened up, back on the breeze.

At my suggestion — I was interested to see what difference it would make, if any — we tucked the first reef back in and were able to lock in the mainsheet and forgo easing it in the puffs to luff the sail. The boat seemed a bit happier, her rudder a tad less loaded, and we gained a few more 10ths of speed, up to almost 7½ knots and tacking through 60 degrees. Despite the rather sporty weather, she was nearly dry on deck. Thanks to her light ends and a bit of flare to her bow, rather than plowing through the chop, she rose ever so slightly and gracefully up and over each passing wave. It felt like a curtsy. She appeared to be enjoying the outing as much as we were.

The best part of all, of course, was driving. Like an old 6-Meter or 8-Meter, Bamboozle was devoid of lifelines; not only were the sight lines forward clear and unobstructed, but the absence of railings also heightened the sensation of speed and one’s proximity to the water rushing by. To command a boat this long, lean and nimble, with a feathery-light tiller, was nothing less than pure joy.

Much too soon, the marina hove into view, so we threw in one last tack, luffed up, dropped the main and motored in. The boat is no slouch under power either, registering a solid 7 knots at 2500 rpm. Tying up was a letdown. Things became too quiet. Evidently, my adrenaline had been flowing too.

View a complete photo gallery.

LOA: 46’3″ LWL: 33’10” BEAM: 9’3″ DRAFT: 6’6″ DISPL.: 9,920 lb. FUEL: 13 gal. WATER: 25 gal. ENGINE: 1 x 18 hp Yanmar GM-20 diesel SAIL AREA: 684 sq. ft. (w/ 100 percent foretriangle) DISPL./LENGTH RATIO: 115 SAIL AREA/DISPL. RATIO: 23.7 PRICE: $600,000 Spirit Yachts, +44-1473-214-715; www.spirityachts.com

• More: Sailboats , Yachts
• More Yachts

Top Nine Fishing Tenders For 2024

First Look: Meet the Apreamare 88 Motoryacht Flagship

Holterman Shipyard Debuts Xtreme X-65

Unveiling the Tiara Yachts EX 54: A Comprehensive Review

Unforgettable Caribbean Voyage: Sailing Through St. Maarten and Dominica

Next-Level Cruising: 2022 Palm Beach PB70 For Sale

For Sale: 2014 Sabre 42 Salon Express

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Email Newsletters
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

PenBay Pilot

News - belfast, camden, lincolnville, rockland, rockport - knox and waldo counties.

• Visit our partners:
• Boothbay Register
• Wiscasset Newspaper
• Business Directory

Classifieds

• Public Notices
• Be a Supporter

Stephens Waring launches new design, 39-foot sailing yacht ‘Wisp’

BELFAST — Stephens Waring Design has launched the 39-foot sailing yacht Wisp, describing the boat as, “ a seamless blend of Spirit of Tradition aesthetics and modern sailing technology.”

The Wisp continues the legacy of the Stephens Waring Spirit of Tradition yachts, where classic design meets contemporary innovation.

“This vessel features a gracefully balanced hull reminiscent of mid-20th-century cruiser-racers, with elegant overhangs that echo historical yacht designs from 75 years ago,” said the yacht designers, in a news release.

On deck, Wisp offers a sophisticated, dual-purpose cockpit: a plush, upholstered area for lounging forward and a dedicated sailing zone aft.

“Thanks to a design that marries functional ergonomics with classic aesthetics, the helmsperson enjoys easy access to all sailing controls without leaving the wheel,” the release said.

Robert Stephens, the designer behind Wisp , said the boat, “embodies the Spirit of Tradition, combining timeless elegance with modern efficiency and comfort.”

Constructed by Artisan Boatworks in Rockport, Wisp  features a foam-cored plywood deck, which enhances structural integrity and streamlines construction by allowing the deck to be assembled separately from the hull. This method not only improves structural rigidity but also accelerates the build process by synchronizing the construction of the hull and deck.

Paul Waring, co-designer, said, “Collaborating closely with our clients, Wisp transforms their dreams into reality, offering a powerful, elegant, and versatile sailing experience with uncompromising construction quality.”

Wisp is designed for outstanding performance with a moderate draft and generous sail area. Its Solent rig includes a working jib and a large, multi-purpose reacher, each on fixed furlers, ensuring adaptability and ease of handling. The yacht features advanced push-button sailing operations, ideal for navigating the light winds and choppy seas of Long Island Sound.

Innovative features include an under-deck mainsheet trim system with a reverse-purchase hydraulic cylinder, enhancing efficiency in jibes and load management. All winches are electric, providing effortless control for jib and reacher sheets, and for hoisting the roller-furling mainsail. Additionally, the swing-out anchor launcher, equipped with a gas-spring assist, offers both streamlined aesthetics and practical ease of use.

 LOA: 12.04 meters (39’ 6”)

LWL: 9.21 meters (30’ 3”)

Beam: 3.36 meters (11’ 0”)

Draft: 1.83 meters (6’ 0”)

Displacement: 6600 kg (14,500 lb)

Sail Area: Mainsail: 43.1 sq. m. (464 sq ft) 100% Foretriangle: 28.4 sq. m. (306 sq ft) Total: 71.5 sq. m. (769 sq ft)

Power: Yanmar 3JH40 40 hp

Fuel: 118 liters diesel (31 gallons)

Water: 380 liters (100 gallons)

Stephens Waring Yacht Design is known internationally as a custom naval architecture and engineering firm located in Belfast. 

Most Popular

Motorcyclist injured after being..., marine patrol charges fisherman with..., man accused of assaulting,..., william douglas hall, obituary, waldo county sheriff’s beat, david dostie, obituary, waldo county closed cases, brent e. crawford, obituary, man who died at surry work site had..., this week in lincolnville: politics....

View the discussion thread.

Click your role to login:

Support the pilot.

Open to all, supported by readers. Become an online member today:

Welcome and thank you for your support.

To manage your account, just hover and click on your name above.

Accepting New Students

Daniel Adam Maltz

Join Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the Waldo County YMCA

Once an Outlaw

Friday Specials at Graffam Bros Seafood Market

Rental Cottages

The Good Table has everything you need to prepare your next delicious meal.

Thursday Specials at Graffam Bros Seafood

Maine Outdoor Film Festival to screen at The Waldo on Friday, Sept. 13th at 7pm

Barnaby Bright, w/ Louisa Stancioff

Trekkers 30th Anniversary Party and Chow Circle

Parkinson’s disease support group.

40+ Acre Parcel with Picturesque Views in Newcastle

Megunticook Regatta September 8th

Unforgettable Weddings at Exquisite Waterfront Hotel

Vintage Motorcycle Festival

1st week of NFL Sunday Ticket

Fused Glass Wind Chime Workshop!

Ocean View Breakfast in Tenants Harbor

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ They Don't Lie - Experience 5-Star Auto Care!

Recent listings.

1956 Farmall/IHC 200

Noritaki Shenandoah Set

1988 Mercedes 560SL

Housekeeping, breakfast attendant.

Tank Setter / LP Tech

Customer Service Representative - Part Time Seasonal

Transport driver.

Energy Advisor / Equipment Sales - Waldo County

HVAC Service Technician

Place a Classified More Classifieds>>

The Promise: Early video showcase at Maine Media College, Sept. 19

Darshan music to bring harmonious chants, drum beats to belfast, sept.19, art making evening at rockland library: "erasure poetry", camden author’s “sailing svalbard: the last imaginary place” talk to serve as launch party for new book, political cartoonist to speak at quarry hill, sept. 26, trekkers celebrates 30th anniversary with community cookout, sept. 14, ‘mr. smith goes to washington’ to be screened at strand, sept. 19, united midcoast charities annual grantee breakfast to participate in virtual global conversation advocating for hope, kindness , author william h. hyland to read from, discuss debut novel ‘bayside’, carver memorial library, penobscot marine museum to host joint photography seminar, prospect wicked good bean suppah, sept. 14, darrowby farm sanctuary holds open house, sept. 21, talk like a pirate day concert to feature shank painters, sept. 14.

CRUISING YACHTS

Cruising Yachts

Escape to the sea

Modern luxury meets classic craftsmanship. Spirit cruising yachts offer all the custom comforts of your own home, incorporated into a timelessly beautiful yacht.

Whether it’s day sailing, long distance cruising or ocean crossings, Spirit cruising yachts can be customised to suit an owner’s style, preferences and sailing experience.

Work with the Spirit team to create a yacht that will deliver memories and turn heads for years to come.

Portfolio BUILDS

Escape. Explore. Enrich. Designed for bluewater cruising (with the option for occasional regattas), the Spirit 72 is a yacht that will create memories for years to come.

CRUISE PORTFOLIO

“MY SOUL CAN BREATHE WHEN I AM ONBOARD AND I FEEL HAPPY . EVERY TIME I TOUCH THE WOOD AND SEE THE COMPOSITION OF COLOURS , IT PUTS A SMILE ON MY FACE. ”

YACHT CARE & MAINTENANCE

The team at Spirit Yachts takes pride in its exceptional after-sales service. All owners benefit from ongoing support and practical assistance worldwide.

Spirit offers long-distance remote support. On-location repairs can also be undertaken by our skilled Spirit professionals.

STAY IN THE LOOP

" * " indicates required fields

Sailors met by family on dry land after yacht rescue in 'horrendous conditions'

By Millie Roberts

A man and a woman have returned to dry land after being rescued from a yacht on the New South Wales South Coast.

Brett and Lisa were saved during a multi-agency rescue on Tuesday morning, before docking in Sydney on Tuesday.

Lisa, 48, said she was feeling "safe and secure and happy" after the ordeal.

A man and woman have expressed gratitude for being back on dry land after they were rescued from a stricken yacht on the New South Wales South Coast on Tuesday. 

Brett, 60, and Lisa, 48, were found "safe and sound" about 170 nautical miles east of Nowra at around 7:30am.

"I am so pleased to say that this rescue operation has been a resounding success," NSW Marine Area Command Acting Superintendent Siobhan Munro said.

The rescue mission was launched off the South Coast after a distress beacon was activated about 1pm on Monday.

Two sailors, Lisa and Brett, were rescued off the NSW coast after their yacht began taking on water. ( ABC News: Victoria Pengilley )

At the time, the yacht was 85 nautical miles from Sydney, and had drifted 160 nautical miles offshore by the time emergency services reached Brett and Lisa.

"That's how strong the winds were and how fast it was, pushing the vessel away," NSW Marine Area Command Sergeant Ryan Spong said of the conditions.

The 19-metre vessel, Spirit of Mateship, had experienced mechanical failure and was taking on water, Ben Flight from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said on Tuesday morning.

Spirit of Mateship was left abandoned at sea following the rescue. ( Supplied: POB Jason Herrmann )

It's believed Brett and Lisa left Jervis Bay on Sunday or Monday for Sydney, NSW Marine Area Command Chief Inspector Anthony Brazzill said.

On Tuesday, a multi-agency operation retrieved the pair "in some quite horrendous conditions", Sergeant Spong added.

The pair were taken on board NSW Water Police vessel Nemesis, and thanked everyone involved in their return to Sydney.

Lisa said she was feeling "safe and secure and happy" despite not getting much sleep last night.

The 60-year-old man and 48-year-old woman were greeted by family members at the NSW Police Area Command in Balmain. ( ABC News: Victoria Pengilley )

Brett said the waiting was "alright" and that the boat was "safe" and "more than seaworthy".

"It was more we were tired, seasick, we couldn't continue any further," he said.

"That was a decision we made to call ... it could have got worse ... I think we made the right decision."

The Nemesis passed through Sydney Heads just before 6pm, before the pair were met by family in Balmain half an hour later.

Spirit of Mateship, which has raced in several Sydney to Hobart yacht races, was abandoned at sea.

Extremely lucky yacht duo 'glad to be back' on dry land

Two people who spent 19 hours clinging to their stricken yacht in ferocious seas say they're happy to be back on dry land.

Create a free account to read this article

(min cost $ 0 )

Login or signup to continue reading

Navy and police vessels battled heavy seas to save 60-year-old Brett and 48-year-old Lisa from the 19-metre vessel about 7.25am on Tuesday.

Mechanical failures - including a broken rudder - led to the Spirit of Mateship becoming stranded about 185km east of Nowra, on the NSW south coast, before it drifted further to sit around 300km offshore.

The pair arrived back on dry land on Tuesday evening, hugging rescuers in front of waiting media at marine police headquarters.

"We're glad to be back," Brett, the yacht's owner, told reporters. 

He said the boat was "more than seaworthy" but its occupants had become "tired, seasick and couldn't continue any further", activating one of the boat's distress beacons.

"The communication from everyone was wonderful and we knew what was going on at all times," Lisa said.

Those who came to their aid said it highlighted the importance of carrying emergency position indicating radio beacons or EPIRBs.

"Without the activation of the EPIRB ... it's unlikely we would have been aware of the distress situation," Australian Maritime Safety Authority's Ben Flight said.

The distress beacon alert was received about midday on Monday but heavy seas and strong winds plagued rescue efforts.

Brett, believed to have been living on the boat since January, and his companion set sail from Jervis Bay in recent days.

Dramatic footage of the rescue showed a small police recovery vessel next to the yacht as the two boats rose and fell in heaving seas.

"Got one, one aboard," an observer can be heard shouting in the video.

The duo were uninjured but exhausted after their near-24-hour ordeal, quickly falling asleep after climbing aboard their rescue vessel.

NSW Police Chief Inspector Anthony Brazzill labelled the pair "extremely lucky", given winds of between 50 and 70km/h and seas of up to 6m had made executing the rescue effort challenging.

"Their boat wasn't sinking, but they were definitely taking on water. They've got mechanical issues in terrible conditions … it could have been life-threatening if we weren't able to get to them in time," he said.

The yacht had to be abandoned.

Navy vessel HMAS Canberra assisted in the rescue effort, shielding police vessel Nemesis as the smaller ship made the daring rescue.

HMAS Canberra captain Brendan O'Hara said conditions for the pair on the yacht would have been torturous, given his much larger ship had also battled the powerful swells.

"(The pair) were just holding on as best they could ... I hate to think what it was like for them because even on board Canberra, which is quite a large ship, we were rocking and rolling a fair bit," he said.

HMAS Canberra rendezvoused with the stricken yacht at 1am on Tuesday, while the police boat arrived at 3am.

The choppy conditions initially prevented authorities from winching the duo out of their boat and airlifting them for treatment.

They will be given a medical assessment when they arrive in Sydney.

Before the rescue, AMSA officials said the matter had become "time-sensitive" with the boat taking on water.

Two Royal Australian Navy ships and an RAAF C-130J Hercules aircraft were initially involved in the rescue operation.

The Spirit of Mateship has entered a number of Sydney to Hobart races, crewed by wounded and injured former defence force personnel to raise money for charity Mates4Mates.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott launched the boat in 2013 before the vessel's first Sydney to Hobart effort.

Australian Associated Press

Advertisement

Get the latest St George news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy .