Tripp Design, Rockport Marine and MCM is working together to take a wood-composite 45 footer sailing yacht innovation to the next level. Sea trials will take place in early 2021.
This 45 footer sailing yacht 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 with 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. 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. Finally, although we will do a lot of day-sailing, the yacht is to be beautifully appointed with comfortable weekend cruising accommodations for two couples.“
So what kind of team do you need to make this a reality?
“Well, it begins with a talented and innovative naval architect and yacht designer. Bill Tripp and his team at Tripp Design Naval Architecture, Norwalk, CT. The next step is to choose a boatbuilder who understands the concept and has all the requisite experience and skills to build such a vessel. Sam Temple – Rockport Marine – Rockport, ME. Finally, there’s the project manager / owner’s representative who keeps his arms around the boundaries of the project. Peter Wilson, MCM Newport, RI “
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.”
Rockport Marine crew is enjoying the technical aspects and building to the modern styling. Sam Temple – Rockport Marine refers: “We leapt at the opportunity to work with Tripp Design and Peter Wilson on this project. The collaboration has been satisfying. Our abilities seem like a good fit.”
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.”