Design insight
MCM, Tripp Design and Rockport Marine are developing a wood-composite 13.7-metre sailing yacht.
30 September 2020
Advertisement
A new sailing yacht with a length of 13.7-metre is being built, with contributions from MCM, Tripp Design and Rockport Marine. The new boat is a carefully engineered wood-composite cruising yacht that will deliver excellent sailing capabilities. Carbon and foam core layups are the standard with a lot of attention given to matching laminate wood species with performance requirements.
The owner is an experienced sailor who had a clear mandate.
“I want a yacht that is notable in this size range. It should have some classical elements, but the design should also convey speed and the ability to move well through the water, much like a Ferrari on land,” explained the owner.
“I would like to sail this boat for a long time, so ease of sailing, both short-handed and single-handed, means that simplicity and ergonomics are important.”
The yacht is beautifully appointed with comfortable weekend cruising accommodations for two couples.
Advertisement
Naval architect and yacht designer Bill Tripp and his team at Tripp Design Naval Architecture were chosen for the design.
Bill Tripp says of the project: “It is always a pleasure to work with an owner who has definitive ideas about what they want. What was truly special in this project is that the owner wanted us to challenge any and all of his thoughts, to take the level of innovation that we have put into larger yachts to pull the art forward, and to bring them into the confines of a 45 footer.
This is a special kind of collaboration that is a true joy for us – to create a boat that we too would like to sail.”
The Rockport Marine crew is enjoying the technical aspects and building to the modern styling.
Boatbuilder Sam Temple from Rockport Marine was chosen for his understanding of the concept, and has all the requisite experience and skills to build such a vessel.
“We leapt at the opportunity to work with Tripp Design and Peter Wilson on this project,” said Temple. “The collaboration has been satisfying. Our abilities seem like a good fit.”
The project manager / owner’s representative is Peter Wilson from MCM Newport.
MCM co-founder Peter Wilson described his long history with the owner having managed a project built for him a number of years ago and having sailed many miles with him including the Marblehead-Halifax Race, Newport-Bermuda Race, Key West Race Week, Montego Bay Race, to name a few.
“I was thrilled when he reached out to me to see if we might like to be involved in his exciting new project. Obviously, we didn’t hesitate – not simply because the owner and his family are such wonderful and experienced people, but additionally, having previously worked with Tripp Design and Rockport Marine, this project clearly had all the hallmarks of success.
Having sailed on many cold moulded yachts, both inshore and offshore, there is no doubt that this is a fine construction method that produces a comfortable, quiet and stiff boat.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
