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BROOKLIN BOAT YARD NEWS - Almost Spring 2008Yard HappeningsThe past winter has been filled with interesting projects which with the coming of spring are being finished up in expectation of launching days. Some of the fairly major projects tackled this winter were two of the W-46’s (“Equus” and “Mustang”) back for fairly extensive refits, a new teak deck for “Madrigal”, some major repair and rebuilding of “Tore Hund” after an unfortunate late fall storm blew her up onto the rocks at the west end of Chatto Island and the list goes on and on. Last fall we took delivery of a larger (80 ton) Travel Lift and completely rebuilt the Travel Lift piers and this makes it a bit easier to handle some of the larger boats stored here at the yard. At the same time, it’s pretty humourous to see this big lift with a little Herreshoff 12 hanging somewhat dwarfed in the slings. Strange to say, but there will be no launchings of brand new boats built by BBY this spring. That’s not to say that the production crew is idle. They are well into the construction of “Bequia” and this work will continue thru all of 2008 and into 2009. Designed by Brooklin Design Associates, “Bequia” is a 90’ Pilot House Yawl and is to date the largest boat ever built here at BBY (see more about “Bequia” below). What will be launched (as an almost brand new boat) is “Katrinka” a late 60’s Bill Tripp designed 49’ Yawl that is nearing completion of a complete restoration (see more about “Katrinka” below). LaunchingsWhile no new boats will be launched this spring, last summer’s new arrivals made quite a splash. ANNASeems like every yachting publication worth it’s ink had a story about ANNA, the 56’ Sparkman & Stephens designed sloop launched in June of 2007. As if she heard all the hoopla, ANNA lived up to the predictions that she would be fast by winning the 2007 Eggemoggin Reach Regatta and capturing the Fastest Elapsed Time Trophy. Certainly it was a great sight to see ANNA swapping tacks with that venerable S&S design DORADE.
MARJORIEAs fitting a boat with intentions of blue water voyaging in all conditions MARJORIE was launched on a cold, windy and rainy day in Novemeber of 2007. The crowds on hand for the launching were amply rewarded for their braving of the elements by a fantastic launch party with all the fixings set up in the main shop. We all thank Gardner and Marjorie Baldwin (owners of MARJORIE) for the terrific time. A little bit of Texas right here on the coast of Maine. After her seatrials here in Brooklin, MARJORIE made a late season crossing of the Gulf of Maine then held up in Newport, RI, for weather before continuing south to North Carolina for the winter. Late Fall (almost Winter) deliveries along the US East Coast can be dicey at best but MARJORIE’S crew hit the weather window just right and enjoyed favorable winds and serious boat speed for the whole run.
GINGERLaunched in late July of 2007, GINGER is the third boat that Brooklin Boat Yard has built for her owner. The timing of GINGER’s launch was in anticipation of being able to compete in Maine Classic Yacht and Eggemoggin Reach Regattas but unfortunately last-minute details kept her out of the first two races and a “minor technical difficulty” forced her to withdraw from the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta. GINGER has yet to have her mettle tested on the race course, however, in sea trials, sail testing and casual sailing over the remainder of 2007, she showed blazing boat speed and will certainly be a force to be reckoned with this summer.
EIGHT BELLSIn the last year or two there has been quite a resurgence of the Boothbay Harbor One Design class with older boats being restored and new boats built. EIGHT BELLS was built for Ted Leonard, a great enthusiast for the class and all around good sailor who unexpectedly passed away shortly after she was launched. Ted was a great friend of Brooklin Boat Yard and we deeply mourn his passing but know that if there is a heaven, they race small one-design sailboats and Ted is leading the fleet.
New ConstructionBEQUIAFebruary 25, 2008, was a big day here at Brooklin Boat Yard as BEQUIA’s hull was slid out of the main shop, very carefully rolled over into a upright position and then repositioned in the main shop to allow (with the hull now complete) the production crews to begin construction of her interior and installation of her complicated ships systems.
This 90’ world-cruising yawl, designed by Robert Stephens and Paul Waring of Brooklin Boat Yard Design Associates, represents the largest project the yard has yet taken on, in both the design and the construction phases. The owners sought out Brooklin Boat Yard after seeing examples of the yard’s previous work, especially the 76’ W-Class day-racing sloops built in 1998. While the new yawl shares a similar graceful sheer line and lengthy overhangs, she’s a much more substantial vessel, designed to take her crew around the world’s oceans in safety, luxury, and elegance. Work began on the design more than two years before construction commenced in the spring of 2007. The most demanding task has been the integration of the yacht’s systems into the traditional deck layout and interior joinery. In addition to the systems to provide creature comforts, such as air conditioning, refrigeration, and an ice maker, the yacht will also feature fully automated sail-handling systems, with a hydraulic system running some 27 different functions, from sail furling to sheet winches, to an anchor deployment system. The hydraulics can be powered by one or both of the two 15kW generators, or, if silent operation is desired, the can be run through a DC electric system. Extensive three-dimensional computer modeling has allowed the designers to minimize the intrusion of the systems on the accommodations. Within the varnished teak charthouse is an elevated saloon, providing great views through large windows, and a spacious chart table and electronics panel. Below, the owners’ restrained tastes will result in a decor they call “casual cottage”, featuring soothing white paneling with an ebony-stained cabin sole. Custom-made couches and a gas fireplace will grace the main saloon. Forward, a spacious double stateroom provides accommodation for their two teenage daughters, while under the aft cabin trunk is a roomy suite for the owners. Crew’s quarters accommodating two or three is located to port, off the large galley, while in the passageway to starboard is a shower, laundry, and a pair of bunks for additional offshore crew. In total, the arrangement is simple and roomy. Carbon spars and state-of-the-art sails will ensure sparkling performance, while a relatively long, shallow keel and spade rudder promise good maneuverability and access to the thin water of some prime cruising grounds. Construction is of cold-molded wood, proven to be a lightweight, cost-effective, and low-maintenance material for custom boats in this size range. An added benefit is the natural beauty of the varnished structure of the hull, left exposed in the saloon and staterooms, and highlighted by natural light admitted through elliptical hull ports. In all, this fine yawl will embody the quality craftsmanship of the past with the luxury, performance, and safety that’s the hallmark of the modern yacht.
BEQUIA PARTICULARS
RESTORATIONKATRINKA
Work began in earnest last summer (2007) when the entire interior accommodations, bulkheads and systems were removed from the boat and the entire deck carefully removed in one piece for eventual reinstallation once all new interior accommodations and systems had been installed. At this writing, the hull and decks have been completely re-cored and new structural members installed in the hull. A new interior (based mostly on her original configuration) has been designed and is mostly installed. All new ship’s systems are also well on their way to completion and the deck (with new teak decking) has been fastened in place. KATRINKA was originally designed as a yawl rig but at some point over the years she was converted to a sloop. The new owners of the boat wanted to make it as true a restoration as possible so the boat will return to its original yawl configuration but instead of her old heavy aluminum construction spars her new mast(s) will be built by GMT Composites in carbon fiber. A late spring / early summer 2008 launch and rechristening is anticipated.
2008 Classic Yacht RegattasIt’s never too early to start planning for your next sailing season. To help you out with this, here is a schedule and contact information for 2008 Classic Yacht Gatherings and Regattas for both Maine and southern New England. Note that the Museum of Yachting has added another event to it’s classic yacht racing agenda with the 1st annual running of the Robert H. Tiedemann Classic Yacht Weekend.
(WRS) Denotes race as a part of the WoodenBoat Regatta Series. Additional WRS event information can be found at Heritage Marine Insurance or WoodenBoat magazine. Archived News
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As most of you know, Brooklin Boat Yard is well known for its restoration work of classic yachts. The restoration of KATRINKA now broadens the scope of our restoration work as in the past these projects have focused on wooden construction and KATRINKA (49’, Bill Tripp design, built in 1969) is a glass boat.
