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BROOKLIN BOAT YARD NEWS - Winter 2009
“BEQUIA” LAUNCH
BBY’s Biggest Project To Date After almost two years in construction, the 90’ Pilot House Yawl “BEQUIA” was carefully moved out of the main building shed at Brooklin Boat Yard in preparation for the stepping of her spars. On June 18th perfect conditions of clear skies and light winds prevailed as first the mizzen mast was hoisted and placed in its step followed quickly by the 114 ft main mast and booms. Designed by Robert Stephens & Paul Waring (Stephens, Waring & White Yacht Design), “BEQUIA” represents the largest project to date for both the design office and Brooklin Boat Yard. This new world-class yacht was launched at the time of high water on Saturday, June 27, 2009. The owners of “BEQUIA” sought out Brooklin Boat Yard after seeing numerous examples of the yard’s previous work, most notably the 76’ W-Class day-racing sloops. While this new yawl shares the graceful sheerline, lengthy overhangs and classic esthetic of the W-Class boats, she is a much more substantial vessel, fully capable of taking her crew around the world’s oceans in safety, luxury and elegance. Design work (Stephens, Waring & White Yacht Design) began in early 2005, more than two years prior to beginning construction in the spring of 2007. “With a yacht of this complexity, it’s good to have some time to work out the details before wood starts going together,” says designer Robert Stephens. Perhaps the most demanding task for the design team was the integration of the ship's systems into the traditional deck layout and interior joinery. In addition to the long list of creature comfort systems (air conditioning, refrigeration, gas fireplace, ice maker, etc.) “BEQUIA” also features fully automated sail-handling with a hydraulic system running some 27 different functions such as sail furling, winches and anchor deployment. The hydraulics can be powered by one or both of two 15kw generators, or if silent operation is desired, can be run through the ship’s DC electrical system. Extensive computer modeling has allowed the designers to minimize the intrusion of the various systems upon the accommodations. “BEQUIA’s” most noticeable feature on deck is her varnished teak charthouse. The charthouse features a spacious chart table, electronics displays & autopilot controls so that once underway her crew can stand watch in comfort. When in port the charthouse offers “BEQUIA’s” owners and guests an elegant & comfortable elevated saloon with large windows providing sweeping views of her surroundings. Below decks, the owners restrained tastes have resulted in a décor they like to call “casual cottage” featuring soothing white raised panel joinery contrasting with ebony-stained cabin soles. Custom made couches and a gas fireplace grace the main saloon, while certain pieces of furniture finished in differing woods add interest to the eye. Forward of the main saloon a spacious double stateroom provides accommodations for the owner's two teenage daughters, while under the aft trunk cabin is a roomy owner’s suite. Carbon spars (Southern Spars) and state-of-the-art sails (North Sails) deliver sparkling sailing performance, while a relatively long, shallow keel and spade rudder ensure good maneuverability along with access to the thin water of some of the world’s prime cruising grounds. Hull construction is of cold-molded wood-epoxy, a building technique proven to be exceptionally strong, lightweight, low-maintenance and very cost effective for production of custom yachts in this size range. An added benefit is the natural beauty of the varnished interior of the hull structure which on “BEQUIA” has been left exposed in the main saloon and staterooms. In summing up the “BEQUIA” experience, Brooklin Boat Yard owner Steve White states, “This has been our largest project to date and perhaps the smoothest in execution. The owners of “BEQUIA” knew what they wanted and allowed the designers enough time to get ahead of the construction, so common “issues” of a custom project were well worked out before the crew had to build them. A very close collaboration between the design team and the crew bosses of the carpentry, mechanical, electrical and paint departments made all this possible. In fact, they all met formally once every week for planning and detail discussions. Having the design firm of Stephens Waring & White here on site is a huge advantage and everybody involved in the project no matter what their task has done a terrific job.” In all “BEQUIA” embodies the quality craftsmanship of the past with the luxury, performance and safety that is the hallmark of the modern classic yacht as designed by Stephens, Waring & White and built by Brooklin Boat Yard.
BEQUIA SAILS
After launching and seatrials, "BEQUIA" spent a month or so cruising the coast of Maine and of course making her racing debut in the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta. After the ERR "BEQUIA" headed down the coast to southern New England, turning heads in Nantucket, Newport and other yachting hot spots. At the time of this writing "Bequia" has made the passage from Newport to Bermuda and carried on further south to the islands for a winter in the warmth and sun.
RESTORATION OF “MISCHIEF”
At the time of writing all floors and frames have been replaced. Her planking is in very good shape so will be retained but there will be a new varnished oak sheer, new deck, new cockpit, new cabin and interior, new chain plates and sailing hardware, new keel bolts, in short “the whole enchilada.” “Mischief’s” rig had been modified (shortened) by her owner to make her a little easier to handle by a cruising yachtsman getting on in years. As a part of this restoration Brooklin Boat Yard was able to locate and procure another S-Boat rig from a boat that had burned (mast was unstepped) while in storage so when relaunched “Mischief” will have the same (original) S-Boat sail plan. When completed “Mischief” will be essentially a brand new boat and ready for at least another 84 years. “Mischief” is being offered for sale with the hope that her next owners will actively sail the boat and enjoy her as much as her last owner. If you have interest in this restoration project or would like to speak to someone concerning possible purchase, contact here at the yard.
MERIDIAN REFIT“Meridian” is a 1964 Huckins Islander 56’, purchased in Florida by her current owner, who had the boat trucked up the East Coast to Brooklin Boat Yard for an extensive refit. The work being done on “Meridian” is employing all the different departments here at the yard. Along with an almost complete replacement of ship’s systems, “Meridian” is also getting a new flybridge arrangement and complete cosmetics. Work on this boat stared last winter (2008 - 2009) and will continue through this winter with a late spring relaunching expected.    
STINGRAY
Built in 1964, STINGRAY was designed by Ray Hunt and built by Whorton’s Boat Yard of Jamestown, RI. Sometimes a good deal is too hard to let pass by. After having assessed STINGRAY’s overall condition for a possible buyer (who decided to pass) Brooklin Boat Yard President (Steve White) bought her with an eye not only for his personal use but also as a classic power yacht that should be preserved. Her delivery from Newport RI to Brooklin ME ran the gamut of weather from flat calm down in southern New England to 30 knots on the nose in the final runs through the islands and bays of the coast of Maine and it was here where Ray Hunt's deep-V hull design came into it’s own providing a surprisingly comfortable ride in conditions that might have kept other boats in port. As with any older boat there is work to be done and plans call for STINGRAY to be moved into Brooklin’s main shop alongside MERIDIAN with a variety of jobs to be done. Steve plans to use STINGRAY for some power cruising of the Maine coast but also as a “mothership and spectator boat” when he is racing his Atlantic class sloop SILVER FISH in Blue Hill Bay and also his cold-molded Swede 55 VORTEX in classic yacht regattas. Regardless of these plans, STINGRAY is offered for sale and interested parties should contact the brokerage office at Brooklin Boat Yard for complete details. Archived News
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Originally built in 1926, “Mischief” had been under the same ownership since 1932. “Mischief” had been a fixture here at the yard for as long as any can remember so it seemed only fitting that when her owner passed away “Mischief” was left to the care of Brooklin Boat Yard with the understanding that she would continue to be maintained and sailed. In August work began on what at first was thought to be an extensive refit of “Mischief” but quickly changed to a full-on restoration project under the direction of Brian Larkin who had previously headed up the the restoration of “Aphrodite”.
