spirit yachts 44e

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

ON TEST: Spirit 44e – the sustainable future of sailing?

• Theo Stocker
• November 1, 2020

A wooden boat that blazes a trail for modern technology and sustainability sounds too good to be true. Theo Stocker went to see if the Spirit 44e is as good as promised

Product Overview

Spirit yacht 44cr electric.

• Most sustainable yacht available today
• Sails beautifully
• Stunning looks
• Limited accommodation for length
• Upkeep of wooden boat

Manufacturers:

Price as reviewed:.

Boats have been built out of wood since Noah first put axe to tree, but when it comes to cutting-edge yachts, timber is right back at the top.

Spirit Yachts have been building head-turningly pretty wooden yachts with stiff, lightweight laminated wooden hulls since 1993, including the largest wooden yacht built in the UK since the 1930s in the shape of the Spirit 111 , launched this year.

But away from all the fanfare, the Ipswich-based yard has also just launched Avvento , smaller sister to its 47 and 55 Cruising Range yachts.

Far from being a lesser vessel, however, the Spirit 44 Cruising Range Electric Boat (44e for short) hides advances in sustainable technology under its gleaming topsides that offer a glimpse into the future of boat building.

Unrecyclable fibreglass and sails, toxic antifoul, and fossil-fuel propulsion are replaced by sustainably sourced timber, self-sufficient electric propulsion and zero-carbon emissions.

The proud new owner is Vincent Argiro, a retired technology entrepreneur who lives and sails in British Columbia in Canada.

Explaining his motivation to go for such a radical concept, he said: ‘My first sailboat was also the first of its kind to be built all-electric. I have never owned anything else, nor will I.

‘To me, it is a terrible corruption of the beauty and simplicity of sailing to add internal-combustion propulsion to it.’

She is built, Spirit claims, to last a hundred years and to be largely recyclable when the time does come. In the intervening century, she will burn no hydro-carbons whatsoever with not even a backup generator on board, or, for that matter, any obvious renewable energy sources. I was curious to see how she worked.

THE TEST VERDICT

The Spirit 44e is a fabulously expensive boat given her limited accommodation and shorter than average waterline length, if you are going to judge her by volume.

As managing director Nigel Stuart says: ‘You need to think about her volume relative to her waterline rather than overall length.’ That’s a nice idea, if you have the luxury of not worrying about marina fees.

You can get a lot of boat for this kind of budget, so why would you buy the Spirit 44e? Firstly, she is drop dead gorgeous. From her sleek lines to her dovetail joints, there is no part of the boat that is not a pleasure to look at.

Then, she is utterly engaging to sail. Lightweight, powerful and responsive, helming her will put a smile on your face, while she should cope equally well with the rough stuff. Finally, she is light years ahead of most production yachts in terms of environmental impact.

I would opt for the smaller rig and higher boom, and I’d like narrower cockpit seats. Most owners would opt for a backup diesel generator for peace of mind, though with new battery tech on its way, unlimited range is within reach.

The Spirit 44e goes a very long way to prove that yachts can be built and run in a sustainable way.

Would the Spirit 44e suit you and your crew?

This boat isn’t about mass-market appeal, but who wouldn’t fall in love given half a chance? In reality, for the kind of cruising most sailors really do, weekends and a few weeks here and there, she is luxuriously comfortable for a cruising couple with occasional guests. Liveaboard cruising is more of a stretch, but entirely feasible, while she’ll also do well racing round the cans.

There’s plenty of entertaining space, particularly on deck once you’re in harbour, and if you don’t mind the stares, she turns heads wherever she goes.

Very few boats out there could hold a hydrocarbon-free candle to the Spirit 44e. Even Noah might have been tempted to leave his animals for this boat.

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Avvento: The all-electric Spirit 44e that’s pushing boundaries

• March 23, 2021

The Spirit 44e is a modern classic cruiser that conceals cutting-edge power management technology and has been built with a sustainable ethos. Theo Stocker reports on a test sail

Boats have been built of wood since Noah first put axe to tree. For devotees of the classic style, Spirit Yachts have been building head-turningly pretty yachts with laminated wooden hulls since 1993, including the largest single-masted wooden yacht built in the UK since the 1930s, the jaw-dropping new Spirit 111 . But last year the Ipswich-based yard also launched the Spirit 44e, Avvento , a smaller sister to its 47 and 55 Cruising Range yachts.

Unrecyclable fibreglass and sails, toxic antifoul, and fossil-fuel propulsion have been replaced by sustainably sourced timber, self-sufficient electric propulsion and zero carbon emissions.

The owner is Vincent Argiro, a retired tech entrepreneur who lives and sails in British Columbia. Explaining his motivation, he said: “My first sailboat was also the first of its kind to be built all-electric. I have never owned anything else, nor will I. To me, it is a terrible corruption of the beauty and simplicity of sailing to add internal-combustion propulsion to it.”

The thoroughly modern Spirit 44E looks every inch a classicPhoto: Richard Langdon / Ocean Images

Avvento is built, Spirit claims, to last 100 years and to be largely recyclable when the time does come. In the meantime, she will burn no hydrocarbons whatsoever, with not even a backup generator or wind turbine installed.

Spirit 44e under sail

The river Orwell in Suffolk was flat calm for our test sail. No more than zephyrs ruffled the water’s surface, barely disturbing the mirror-reflection on the Spirit 44e’s brightwork of varnished sico mahogany and polished stainless steel.

The 44e’s sharp bow sweeps back into a modest sheerline, and the sleek coachroof rises out of a pale yellow Lignia wood deck. Abaft the oval cockpit is a decadently long counter stern and raked transom beneath the sweeping quarter deck.

The design brief for the 44e began as a short-handed racing yacht that was also suitable for coastal cruising. Now the boat is built, Argiro explains: “I definitely expect to do long passages, including offshore races – genuine adventures.

“I also expect to live aboard for many months. British Columbia sailing is year-round for the rugged among us, so she will see lots of use in all seasons.”

The 44e has more beam and higher topsides than Spirit’s thoroughbred Classic range, but by modern standards still has modest beam and a fine stern – sacrificing a full 4m (13ft 4in) to her overhangs.

But with a high aspect fin and bulb keel and deep carbon spade rudder, coupled with exceptionally light displacement, it’s clear she’s built for performance.

Slipping the lines you notice the lack of diesels rumbling into life. Flick out the throttle on the binnacle, nudge it ahead, and the Oceanvolt 15kW (20hp) saildrive motor delivers power smoothly from standstill.

Helming from midships provides a good all-round view. Photo: Richard Langdon / Ocean Images

Once the breeze had increased to 5-6 knots we began tacking downriver, against the breeze and the last of the flood, making 4-5 knots and around 50-55º to the true wind direction over the ground – an impressive feat against the tide.

In the narrow channel we found its short waterline means the Spirit 44e spins on a sixpence. This responsiveness makes the boat feel like a big dinghy; a gentle nudge of the wheel will have her sailing to every lift and header, and with a displacement of just 6.5 tonnes, you can feel the acceleration with each little puff.

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This is a boat that rewards concentration, but is well enough balanced that you can lock the wheel and leave the helm while you winch in a headsail or trim the main, and it hold her course perfectly.

The Spirit 44e’s slender lines aft mean that when she heels, she does so along the centreline. The helming experience is noticeably different, as you are not perched high up on the aft quarter where the motion is greatest, or forced to a limited view on the leeward side. Positioned well forward and midships, you have a good all round view and a feeling of connection to the water.

Single-handed performance

Built for the often light winds of British Columbia in Canada, Avvento ’s rig is higher than standard, creating space for a larger, powerful 54.4m2 fully-battened, slab-reefed mainsail. The 105% jib (32.8m2) is set on an electric furler below deck.

Both sails help deliver the Spirit 44e’s sustainability targets: whereas most laminate sails are made of a mixture of fibres, films and glues meaning they can only be disposed of in landfill, One Sails’ 4T Forte sails are made from different forms of a single substance – high modulus polyethylene.

Moulded as a single piece, these sails are claimed to be stronger and promise more longevity than other laminates and, critically, at the end of their lives, the hardware can be removed and the sails completely recycled.

Halyards are all led aft to a bank of clutches on the coachroof. Photo: Richard Langdon / Ocean Images

Halyards are led aft to a bank of clutches on the coachroof, and getting to the halyards is the only reason a single-handed skipper would need to leave the helm, for which the B&G autopilot can lend a hand. Cleverly, the lead angles for the jib sheets work to either of two 48ST winches on each side so the headsail can be trimmed from the helm when single-handed, or from further forward with crew, leaving the aft winches free for spinnaker sheets.

Spirit 44e: Green power

As the wind died on our sail back in, we left the main up and engaged the motor again. Handling was good at lower speeds, though slightly twitchy above 6.5 knots thanks to her short waterline, but with electric propulsion you would naturally back off – energy consumption increases exponentially with speed.

Motoring at 7 knots with no sails up, the Spirit 44e range was little more than a couple of hours or 14 miles. Motor at 5 knots and this increases to around 5 hours/25 miles, while at 3 knots with no sails up, your range is a sedate 200 miles while you use a mere 1.3kW. Add in up to 625W from the colour matched Solbian solar panels mounted flush in the quarter deck and the Solar Cloth System panels on the mainsail, and you extend this by another 50%.

If you can sail for some of that distance, with the 48V Oceanvolt motor and ServoProp controllable pitch propeller set to ‘regenerate’ you’ll be putting 500W into the 30.4kW battery bank at 6 knots, and a whopping 1.5kW at 8.5 knots. Unlimited motoring range is not that far out of reach (there is also a shore charger).

The galley features an alcohol spirit stove rather than gas. Photo: Richard Langdon / Ocean Images

Argiro acknowledges that range is still an issue, but says: “The pros are so numerous; never smelling diesel fumes (especially when seasick); the quiet; the silence during manoeuvring; the instant torque; the lack of maintenance; the very high reliability. There is only one con and that is range. And there is a simple remedy to that – patience.”

The technology is developing quickly, says Argiro. “Within five years, I believe that the enormous advances that Tesla is making in reducing the cost and increasing the energy density of batteries will bring range and cost parity with internal combustion engines to electric yachting.”

Built to last

The boat is constructed using Spirit’s tried and tested three layers of epoxy strip planking over laminated ringframes, creating a strong and lightweight shell. This is all done using certified sustainable timber, and Spirit is looking into using bio resins to replace the current petrochemical based ones.

Traditional helm pedestal houses the navigation and power displays. Photo: Richard Langdon / Ocean Images

The boat is decked with Lignia wood (treated softwood to make it as durable as hardwood) and not teak, because: “It is impossible to guarantee that teak from Myanmar is sustainable, so we have decided not to use it and Lignia is, if anything, better than what it replaces,” explained Spirit’s managing director Nigel Stuart.

Down below the structure of the boat, coupled with Spirit’s flawless craftsmanship, creates a stunning interior with a cosy feel. Avvento is finished with sole boards in pale yellow Lignia, with joinery in oiled walnut (even the dye in the oil is plant rather than oil based), and the Douglas fir strip planking of the hull visible behind the upholstered settees.

Unsurprisingly, there is much less volume in the accommodation than most modern 44-footers, but Spirit has found clever solutions to squeeze in C-shaped seating for six to port around a fold-out table, and a straight settee to starboard, at 190cm both long enough to serve as sea berths. In the C-shaped galley, the owner opted for a fossil-fuel free alcohol stove, but Spirit now often fits electric induction cookers.

The forward cabin is largely taken up by a vee-berth with locker space to starboard and stowage beneath the bunk. In a boat fitted with a diesel engine, there would be space for just one quarter berth, but with the space saved with the electric motor, the 44e squeezes in an additional berth behind the companionway, above the motor.

Enormous symmetrical lazarettes for stowage in the stern overhang. Photo: Richard Langdon / Ocean Images

Stowage is reasonable but not extensive – there are good lockers throughout, while stowage under berths is limited due to the water tanks and batteries. But this is compensated for by vast stowage on deck with the counter stern providing cavernous lazarette lockers which will easily swallow an inflatable dinghy, fenders, sails, folding bikes and the usual cruising clobber.

The 44e is drop dead gorgeous. From her sleek lines to her dovetail joints, there is no part of the boat that is not a pleasure to look at. She is also utterly engaging to sail, being light, powerful and responsive. And above all, she is light years ahead of most production yachts in terms of environmental impact, leading the way that others need to follow.

Specifications:

LOA: 13.40m / 44ft 0in LWL: 9.40m / 30ft 8in Beam: 3.30m / 10ft 10in Draught: 2.30m / 7ft 7in Displacement: 6,500kg / 14,330lb Ballast: 2,450kg / 5,401lb Sail area: 85.7m2 / 922ft2 Design: Sean McMillan Build: Spirit Yachts Ltd

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Spirit Yachts delivers new Spirit 44CR(e) electric yacht

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• sunwatermarine
• Sep 1, 2020

SHE’S ELECTRIC: THE SPIRIT 44E

from: https://oceanvolt.com/oceanvolt-blog/shes-electric-spirit-44e/ Originally published by Spirit Yachts Nigel Stuart, 13.03.19

Fully electric with solar panels and no hydrocarbons onboard, the Spirit 44E is at the forefront of sustainable sailing. Due to launch in early 2020, her ringframes have recently gone into build in the Spirit Yachts yard in Suffolk.

From afar, the 13.4m Spirit 44E will look like any other Spirit sailing yacht. Low freeboards, long overhangs, flush decks and the timeless beauty of quality wooden craftsmanship. Up close, she will display signs of the sailing yachts of the future.

Two solar panels will be integrated into the aft deck and will colour match the teak, so they blend with the deck both in aesthetics and alignment. The panels will charge Oceanvolt 48VDC 30.4kWh batteries (made up of 16 pcs of 1.9kWh batteries), which will power her Oceanvolt ServoProp 15 electric saildrive. The lightweight electric drive system (weighing 65kg) uses hydro generation via the variable pitch propeller to regenerate the batteries whilst sailing.

Spirit Yachts managing director Nigel Stuart commented, “Regeneration will depend on sailing speeds but it is realistic to see 1kW whilst sailing at 7-8 knots. The equivalent energy generated would be boiling a kettle, which is one of the highest power consuming appliances you would find on a yacht, or in your home for that matter.

“With the 44E, we are taking the learnings from the Spirit 111 and applying the same principles to a smaller yacht. The lack of hydrocarbons and the addition of solar sails will allow us to take a step closer towards creating a completely sustainable yacht.”

Spirit Yachts is working with OneSails GBR (East) to develop a solar solution for the yacht’s sail wardrobe.

John Parker from OneSails GBR (East) explained, “We are exploring the use of the very latest ‘thin cell’ PV panels with the intention of utilising the yacht’s 4T Forte sails and covers as sources of electrical generation. The work is cutting edge, therefore at this stage a number of the details remain confidential.” The 4T Forte sails are currently the only sails made from a cloth that can be recycled when they eventually wear out.

Manual Lewmar winches will give a nod to more hands-on sailing, whilst a carbon mast and boom from Hall Spars will ensure her rig remains lightweight. A large lazarette under the aft deck will house a tender with an electric motor, and a 40” Mahogany and stainless-steel steering wheel will be fitted for easy handling.

Down below, the Spirit 44E’s eco credentials continue throughout. A reversible heating/air-conditioning Webasto pump will heat and cool the yacht using minimal power. All lighting will be LED and a Webasto 4.2 gallon 115v/750W heater will provide hot water. At the owner’s request, there will be no hydrocarbons onboard and any cooking will be done on a spirit stove.

The interior layout will accommodate four guests across two cabins. A forward twin with ensuite will serve as the owner’s cabin and a starboard aft cabin will sleep two guests in twin berths. A fold-down chart table will be built into the forward bulkhead of the guest cabin to maximise space.

A central saloon will have a port-side, u-shaped sofa around a wooden dining table, complemented by a second sofa to starboard. Aft of the saloon, to port, will be the open-plan galley. White bulkheads, mahogany ringframes and exposed yellow cedar planking will give the interior a warm, natural feel.

The 44E was conceived and commissioned by a new Spirit customer, Vincent Argiro, a retired technology entrepreneur living, sailing, racing, and exploring in British Columbia.

Dr. Argiro recalled, “I found Spirit Yachts through a web search that yielded a photo of the Spirit 46 at sail. My jaw dropped, like so many before me. Surveying the Spirit portfolio, I enquired whether a design that incorporated much of the performance of the 46 with more of the liveability of the 47CR could be produced. Sean McMillan graciously responded with interest, and a wonderful month-long design interaction ensued. I am beyond thrilled at the result.”

Speaking of the sustainability mission of the new yacht, Vincent remarked, “The stretch goal for the 44E is near total energy self-sufficiency. I envision plugging into shore power to be a rare event. And happily, an energy-efficient design is also a fast design. This light and sleek girl is going to fly!”

Spirit 44E Specifications:

LOA: 13.4m / 44ft LWL: 9.4m / 30ft 8in Beam: 3.3m / 10ft 1in Draft: 2.3m / 7ft 7in Displacement: 5.5tonnes

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Due to launch in 2020, the recently announced Spirit 44E will be the first fully electric yacht to be designed and built by Spirit Yachts. Unlike previous models, this 13.4m Spirit will be fitted with a host of new electrical technologies including discrete in-deck solar panels and eco-friendly electric main drive motor to vastly reduce carbon emissions.

As with all Sprit yachts, the 44E will make wide use of Lewmar products, including iconic manual Lewmar Ocean winches. Following the example of other recent Spirits, including the breath-taking 111ft currently in build and the highly acclaimed 63DH launched last year, these winches will be of full stainless steel construction featuring bespoke ‘Spirit Yachts’ upper crown engraving.

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New Electric Yacht Spirit 44E…On The Way

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Launching in 2020, the Spirit 44E will be fully electric with solar panels and no hydrocarbons onboard.

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Spirit Yachts are constructing a 13.4m electric yacht for an eco-minded overseas buyer. We caught up with the project team to see what features the owner can look forward to:

Design two solar panels integrated into the aft deck, set to colour match the teak. the panels will charge oceanvolt 48vdc 30.4kwh batteries, which powers her oceanvolt sd15 electric drive., “from afar, the spirit 44e will look like any other spirit yacht – flush decks and timeless beauty of quality wooden craftsmanship. up close, she will display signs of the sailing yachts of the future”. head designer, sean mcmillan, performance lightweight electric drive system using hydro generation via the propeller which regenerates the batteries whilst sailing. example: regeneration of 1.5kw when sailing at 5 knots., sustainability includes 4t forte sails, currently the only sails made from cloth that can be recycled. reversible heating/air-conditioning webasto pump will heat and cool using minimal power. no hydrocarbons onboard, cooking done on a spirit stove., “the stretch goal for the 44e is near total energy self-sufficiency. we envision plugging into shore power to be a rare event. and happily, an energy-efficient design is also a fast design. this light and sleek girl is going to fly” managing director, nigel stuart, key specs construction: wood epoxy composite loa: 13.4m / 44’ lwl: 9.4m / 30’ 8” beam: 3.3m / 10’ 1”.

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Spirit Yachts begins construction of a new Spirit 44E electric yacht

Spirit Yachts has begun constructing a 13.4m electric yacht, the Spirit 44E, for an eco-minded overseas buyer. Due to launch in early 2020, it’s the firm’s first electric yacht.

Spirit Yachts head designer Sean McMillan commented, “From afar, the Spirit 44E will look like any other Spirit sailing yacht. Low freeboards, long overhangs, flush decks and the timeless beauty of quality wooden craftsmanship. Up close, she will display signs of the sailing yachts of the future.”

Two solar panels will be integrated into the aft deck and will colour match the teak, so they blend with the deck both in aesthetics and alignment. The panels will charge OceanVolt 48VDC 30.4kWh batteries (made up of 48 1.9kWh batteries), which will power her Oceanvolt SD15 electric drive.

Spirit Yachts managing director Nigel Stuart commented, “The lightweight electric drive system (weighing 46.5kgs) uses hydro generation via the propeller to regenerate the batteries whilst sailing.

“Regeneration will depend on sailing speed, but it is realistic to see 1.5kW whilst sailing at five knots. The equivalent energy generated would be boiling a kettle, which is one of the highest power consuming appliances you would find on a yacht, or in your home for that matter.”

Spirit Yachts is working with OneSails GBR (East) to develop a solar solution for the Spirit 44E’s sail wardrobe.

John Parker from OneSails GBR (East) explained, “We are exploring the use of the very latest ‘thin cell’ PV panels with the intention of utilising the yacht’s 4T Forte sails and covers as sources of electrical generation. The work is cutting edge, therefore at this stage a number of the details remain confidential.”

OneSails’ 4T Forte sails are currently the only sails made from a cloth that can be recycled.

Manual Lewmar winches will give a nod to more hands-on sailing, whilst a carbon mast and boom from Hall Spars will ensure her rig remains lightweight. A large lazarette under the aft deck will house a tender with an electric motor, and a 40” Mahogany and stainless-steel steering wheel will be fitted for easy handling.

Down below, the Spirit 44E’s eco credentials continue throughout. A reversible heating/air- conditioning Webasto pump will heat and cool the yacht using minimal power. All lighting will be LED and a Webasto 4.2 gallon 115v/750W heater will provide hot water. At the owner’s request, there will be no hydrocarbons onboard and any cooking will be done on a spirit stove.

(Via Spirit Yachts)

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SHE’S ELECTRIC: THE SPIRIT 44E

Originally published by Spirit Yachts

Fully electric with solar panels and no hydrocarbons onboard, the Spirit 44E is at the forefront of sustainable sailing. Due to launch in early 2020, her ringframes have recently gone into build in the Spirit Yachts yard in Suffolk.

From afar, the 13.4m Spirit 44E will look like any other Spirit sailing yacht. Low freeboards, long overhangs, flush decks and the timeless beauty of quality wooden craftsmanship. Up close, she will display signs of the sailing yachts of the future.

Two solar panels will be integrated into the aft deck and will colour match the teak, so they blend with the deck both in aesthetics and alignment. The panels will charge Oceanvolt 48VDC 30.4kWh batteries (made up of 16 pcs of 1.9kWh batteries), which will power her Oceanvolt ServoProp 15 electric saildrive. The lightweight electric drive system (weighing 65kg) uses hydro generation via the variable pitch propeller to regenerate the batteries whilst sailing.

Spirit Yachts managing director Nigel Stuart commented, “Regeneration will depend on sailing speeds but it is realistic to see 1kW whilst sailing at 7-8 knots. The equivalent energy generated would be boiling a kettle, which is one of the highest power consuming appliances you would find on a yacht, or in your home for that matter.

“With the 44E, we are taking the learnings from the Spirit 111 and applying the same principles to a smaller yacht. The lack of hydrocarbons and the addition of solar sails will allow us to take a step closer towards creating a completely sustainable yacht.”

Spirit Yachts is working with OneSails GBR (East) to develop a solar solution for the yacht’s sail wardrobe.

John Parker from OneSails GBR (East) explained, “We are exploring the use of the very latest ‘thin cell’ PV panels with the intention of utilising the yacht’s 4T Forte sails and covers as sources of electrical generation. The work is cutting edge, therefore at this stage a number of the details remain confidential.” The 4T Forte sails are currently the only sails made from a cloth that can be recycled when they eventually wear out.

Manual Lewmar winches will give a nod to more hands-on sailing, whilst a carbon mast and boom from Hall Spars will ensure her rig remains lightweight. A large lazarette under the aft deck will house a tender with an electric motor, and a 40” Mahogany and stainless-steel steering wheel will be fitted for easy handling.

Down below, the Spirit 44E’s eco credentials continue throughout. A reversible heating/air-conditioning Webasto pump will heat and cool the yacht using minimal power. All lighting will be LED and a Webasto 4.2 gallon 115v/750W heater will provide hot water. At the owner’s request, there will be no hydrocarbons onboard and any cooking will be done on a spirit stove.

The interior layout will accommodate four guests across two cabins. A forward twin with ensuite will serve as the owner’s cabin and a starboard aft cabin will sleep two guests in twin berths. A fold-down chart table will be built into the forward bulkhead of the guest cabin to maximise space.

A central saloon will have a port-side, u-shaped sofa around a wooden dining table, complemented by a second sofa to starboard. Aft of the saloon, to port, will be the open-plan galley. White bulkheads, mahogany ringframes and exposed yellow cedar planking will give the interior a warm, natural feel.

The 44E was conceived and commissioned by a new Spirit customer, Vincent Argiro, a retired technology entrepreneur living, sailing, racing, and exploring in British Columbia.

Dr. Argiro recalled, “I found Spirit Yachts through a web search that yielded a photo of the Spirit 46 at sail. My jaw dropped, like so many before me. Surveying the Spirit portfolio, I enquired whether a design that incorporated much of the performance of the 46 with more of the liveability of the 47CR could be produced. Sean McMillan graciously responded with interest, and a wonderful month-long design interaction ensued. I am beyond thrilled at the result.”

Speaking of the sustainability mission of the new yacht, Vincent remarked, “The stretch goal for the 44E is near total energy self-sufficiency. I envision plugging into shore power to be a rare event. And happily, an energy-efficient design is also a fast design. This light and sleek girl is going to fly!”

Spirit 44E Specifications:

LOA: 13.4m / 44ft LWL: 9.4m / 30ft 8in Beam: 3.3m / 10ft 1in Draft: 2.3m / 7ft 7in Displacement: 5.5tonnes

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The esprit of spirit yachts.

By Nic Compton , Sep 29, 2023

The sleek 52′ (15.85m) Flight of Ufford, launched in 2007, was campaigned hard and successfully by Spirit Yachts cofounder Sean McMillan. The traditionally styled wood/epoxy sloop has become the yard’s most popular model to date.

T he James Bond movie franchise has never shied from any chance to include a yacht in the narrative and as part of the set. And given the urgent nature of the glamorous secret agent’s business, these have tended to be fast powerboats, starting with the Fairey Huntresses and Huntsmen in  From  Russia With Love  (1963) through to the Glastron GT150 speedboat, which performed a spectacular 120 ‘  (36.6m) leap in  Live and Let Die  (1973), and a clutch of Sunseekers in subsequent films. In 2006, while filming  Casino  Royale , the filmmakers decided to do something a bit different. Alongside their usual high-velocity petrol-fueled fare, they featured a sailing yacht: a 54 ‘  (54 ‘  9 “ /16.7m) sloop with a long counter stern and seemingly acres of flawless varnish, which James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) sailed into Venice during a romantic interlude in the film.

Cast in the enviable role was the Spirit 54 designed and built by British boatbuilders Spirit Yachts, located in Ipswich, Suffolk, on the east coast of England. And if that wasn’t enough notoriety for the somewhat obscure custom builder, the producers repeated the trick in the 2021  No Time to Die , this time using a Spirit 46 (46 ‘  6 “ / 14.15m) sailing yacht for James Bond to sail around Jamaica during his “retirement” scenes.

The 54′ (16.7m) Soufrière was built for the 2006 James Bond franchise movie Casino Royale. Her brief appearance in the film making her way up the Grand Canal in Venice added the cachet of an international luxury brand to Spirit’s already sterling reputation as a yacht builder.

The pairing was in many ways a marriage made in heaven. Just as James Bond has come to symbolize the aspirational best of British wit, style, and appetite for adventure, Spirit Yachts offers the best in bespoke sailboats, combining high-performance modern hulls with a classic aesthetic and a price on par with Bond’s generous expense account. The formula has inspired a devoted following and led to a unique line of yachts, steadily increasing in size over the years, from the original 37-footer (11.5m) built in 1993 to its biggest creation so far, the 111 ‘  (33.8m)  Geist , launched in 2020.

Spirit Yachts is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, so it seemed the perfect time to visit its expanded boatyard facility in Ipswich, where Spirit has become an increasingly important part of the regeneration of the disused docks and looks set to play an even bigger role as plans for a company-centered boatbuilding university take shape. The year started with the announcement of a major management reshuffle. Founder and chief designer Sean McMillan (now 72) is in effect taking semiretirement, handing ownership to a consortium of Spirit yacht owners and the day-to-day running of the company to Management Director Karen Underwood and the office’s newest recruit, Production & Design Director Julian Weatherill.

McMillan at the drafting table.

Yet the first person I see when I walk through the office door is McMillan, looking as suave and relaxed as James Bond himself, and bearing a roll of drawings for his latest design. No surprises there. Spirit Yachts has always been inextricably linked with this former-art-student-turned-boat-bum-turned-boatbuilder-turned-company-director. It turns out that he’s staying on as a consultant for the next three years, before fully retiring from the scene. Though it seems to me unlikely that will ever really happen.

“Sean is hanging on to the bits he likes [the designing] and letting go of the bits he doesn’t like [running a busy boatyard],” says Underwood, with a cheerful chuckle. She has worked in the marine industry for the past 25 years (including 15 years at Oyster Marine), and you get the feeling the company is in very safe hands.

She and McMillan are meeting a client at 11 a.m., so after a lengthy chat, newly promoted Marketing Director Helen Porter shows me around the yard. “We’ve had both sheds full of new builds for the past three years, catching up with pent-up demand after COVID,” she says. “We’ve had three 72s, one 68, one 52, and two 30s. We’ve now finally got space to take on some refurbishment projects, one for a couple who has been waiting a couple of years. The 52 in-build over there is Spirit hull number 80—or Sean’s 100th boat, if you include the ones he built before Spirit Yachts.”

A Spirit 72 in the busy yard in Ipswich, Suffolk, England, last June. At the time, the 30-year-old company was building its 80th hull.

It’s all a long way from the cottage in Saxmundham, about 18 miles (29 km) north of Ipswich, where I visited McMillan and his then-business-partner, Mick Newman, in 1994. They had just built their first boat, the Spirit 37, in a disused cowshed at the back of Newman’s house, and I had come to interview them and take photos of the boat for what would turn out to be the first-ever test sail of a Spirit yacht. Not that any of us had the slightest inkling of what was to come.

It all seemed to be a bit of a laugh. Sean had already had his fingers badly burned when his company, McMillan Yachts, had gone bust in the global financial crisis a few years earlier. Those boats were strip-planked gaffers, usually with modern underwater hull shapes and fancy joinery that fairly shouted out, “I am a wooden boat!”

“I was already playing with the visual joke about having a traditional-looking boat which is very modern below the waterline,” McMillan says. Not everyone got the joke, however, and after building a dozen boats, the company ground to a halt.

Back in ’94, he had joined forces with Newman—a former barge sailor—to create something completely different. The original Spirit 37 was inspired by the skerry cruisers of the Baltic, with their improbably tall rigs designed to catch the wind blowing over the tops of the flat islands, and their long, narrow hulls for optimum speed rather than comfort. But the new partners wanted to push the type to its limit by building the boat in super-lightweight materials and with a modern underwater shape—that McMillan joke again.

The first Spirit 37 (11.5m) was built in 1994, inspired by the tall-rigged skerry cruisers but with a modern hullform. She sailed beautifully and spurred multiple orders for boats of the same type and form.

The Beginning of Spirit Yachts

The first Spirit 37 was by any standards an extraordinary boat. With her long overhangs and narrow 7 ‘  (2.1m) beam, she looked superficially like a classic yacht from the 1920s, but underwater her bulb keel and skeg rudder told a more contemporary story. A judicious use of modern materials—including a strip-planked hull sheathed with fiberglass set in WEST System epoxy—meant the boat turned out exceptionally light: just 2 tons (4,000 lbs/1,814 kg), with an impressive 60% ballast/displacement ratio. It had a retro-looking fractional rig with knocked-back mast (curved aft at the top) combined with a modern-looking T-section boom and full-battened mainsail. The double cockpit and modern deck fittings suggested she was a serious racing boat, while the black walnut trim set it all off to dramatic aesthetic effect. Below decks, the boat had only sitting headroom, despite her 37 ‘  length, and the fit-out was stylish but spartan.

The Spirit company logo, a distiller’s retort flask, is set in the deck of the Spirit 52 Oui Fling

The pair named the boat the Spirit 37, not from any spiritual conviction but due to the volume of spirits consumed during her construction—hence the distiller’s retort flask in the logo. They had considered calling her the Hashish 37, but wisely decided against that in the end.

On the water, the boat proved nothing short of spectacular, clocking 11.7 knots on that first trial (a record she would take many years to break) and as light and responsive on the helm as an overgrown dinghy. She was every bit the fun boat McMillan and Newman had intended, but at that time she was a complete anomaly. The Spirit of Tradition class had yet to be created, and there were only a handful of identifiable “modern classics” in existence—mostly big cruising boats from the boards of Bruce King and André Hoek.

“[Back then] we were whistling in the dark,” McMillan later told me. “We had no idea whether there was a ‘retro’ movement or not. We just built the boat we wanted, which was fun and of a size we could relate to. Luckily, it struck a chord.”

The Spirit 46 Reprobate reveals the modern bulb keel and spade rudder that contribute to her remarkable turn of speed as she sails hard on the wind.

The Spirit 37 was one of the standout boats at the Düsseldorf boat show in January 1995 and was quickly snapped up by a German buyer, who sailed her for the next 25 years. The company also received two orders for 33 ‘  (10.1m) versions of the boat that would satisfy size restrictions on European lakes. Since then, Spirit Yachts hasn’t looked back.

The 37 was followed in 1996 by the 46 (14m), complete with carbon fiber mast, teak decks, and a serious turn of speed, reaching 18 knots on plane (though, according to my notes, McMillan claims he once got 26 knots out of a 46). Ten 37s were eventually built, as well as a dozen 46s. McMillan is keen to emphasize that no two Spirit yachts are identical, as they are all custom built, and even the 37 has three slightly different hull shapes, never mind the various interiors and deck layouts.

The year 1996 was a significant milestone in another way: it was the first time the Antigua Classics featured a dedicated class for modern classic yachts, and by a happy coincidence it named that class Spirit of Tradition. The Mediterranean classic-yacht circuit eventually followed suit in 2003. Suddenly it seemed that Spirit Yachts’ eccentric foray into imaginative boat design was not so contrary after all and was in fact on the leading edge of a new and growing movement. The bad boys of British boatbuilding were trendsetters in a glittering new vein of yachting.

Crucial to all this was McMillan’s background in fine art, for while he is just as concerned with performance and seaworthiness as other designers are, it is his willingness to take aesthetic risks that has set him apart in what is an intrinsically conservative industry.

After her role in the Bond film, Soufrière collected real-world silver racing in Ireland and at the Classics Week in Cowes.

“I take the view that yacht design is an art with science applied,” he says. “You have to have an instinctive understanding of how the hull moves through water. I gained that by sailing tens of thousands of miles as a delivery skipper, by leaning over the side of the boat and watching the hull, by getting more curious and studying hydrodynamics, and by going out and doing it. Some of the boats were great, and some not so great, but I learned a lot along the way.”

Despite its growing success, the business remained in the old cowshed behind Newman’s house until 2003, when they had to erect a temporary extension to build a 70-footer (21.3m), which was a full 10 ‘  (3.1m) longer than the shed itself. That was the final straw, and the following year the company moved to bigger premises at the old docks in Ipswich.

The slightly shorter Spirit 52 was spun out of that success, including the flush-decked Spirit of Tradition racing machine Oui Fling.

Bond Effect

If you had to imagine what a James Bond sailing yacht would look like, it would probably be a modern classic with exaggerated hull lines and a generous helping of shiny deck gear. So, it was almost an inevitability that sooner or later Spirit Yachts’ classy finish and understated power would attract the creators of the world’s most famous secret agent—and the 54 ‘   Soufrière  was duly built for the 2006 Bond movie  Casino Royale , complete with a luxurious interior comprising two cabins, en suite heads, and (that rarest thing on a Spirit yacht of that era) full standing headroom. The yacht was shipped to the Bahamas and sailed to Puerto Rico, then shipped to Croatia and sailed to Venice, where she is said to have been the first sailing yacht to go up the Grand Canal in 300 years (albeit under power).

All these efforts yielded just a few minutes of footage in the final film, but it was enough to turn Spirit Yachts, until then mainly a British success story, into an international brand. Following the release of Casino Royale , inquiries at the yard increased fourfold—though more often than not the phone went quiet when a price was mentioned. Not everyone, it seems, has a Bond-caliber budget.

Soufrière  turned out to be exceptionally fast and, under her new real-life owner, won a string of trophies at home in Ireland and at the annual British Classics Week in Cowes. Her success prompted McMillan to build a slightly smaller version for himself. Launched in 2007, his 52 ‘   Flight of Ufford  has proven equally competitive, regularly clocking speeds of up to 16 knots and winning British Classics Week three years running in 2014–16—though since 2017 he has had to take turns at first place with the stripped-down, flush-decked 52-footer  Oui Fling , built for Baron Irvine Laidlaw of Rothiemay. McMillan’s proudest moment on his boat, however, was being invited to join the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant on the Thames in 2012—the only modern yacht to be summoned.

The year 2007 was also a landmark for a more somber reason, as McMillan’s longtime business partner, Mick Newman, died in a plane crash. Sadly, he would never see the full flowering of the company he helped to create.

The 111′ (33.8m) Geist, designed for the owner of a 52 who wanted a larger version, was built mostly of sustainable timber, except for the teak decks.

The 52 went on to become the yard’s most popular boat to date, no doubt helped by McMillan’s enthusiastic campaigning of  Flight of Ufford  on both sides of the Atlantic. It also led to the yard’s biggest and most challenging commission. After the Spirit 52  Happy Forever  hit a rock in the Baltic, she went back to the Spirit yard for repair, and while her owner (a young German shipowner) stopped by to check progress he spotted a design McMillan was working on. He asked him to design a 90 ‘  (27.4m) version, and when that wasn’t quite right, asked that it be drawn out to 100 ‘  (30.5m), then 105 ‘  (32m) and, finally, 111 ‘  (33.8m). While the yacht’s hull grew longer with each design iteration, her freeboard remained unchanged—she just got sleeker and more stunning each time.

The result was  Geist , the Spirit 111, said to be the biggest single-masted wooden boat built in Britain since the J-Class  Shamrock  in the 1930s. Not only that, but the yard claimed it was “one of the most environmentally friendly sailing superyachts ever created.” Built mostly of sustainable timber (except for those endless teak decks), it boasted a 100-kW Torqeedo electric engine served by four banks of lithium-ion batteries that could be recharged by the propeller while under sail.

Belowdecks, the owner specified that he wanted only organic shapes—there should be no straight lines and no sharp corners. It was a challenge that the Spirit workforce (with some help from the design agency Rhoades Young) rose to, creating a cocoon-like interior with rounded bulkheads, curved seating and sideboards, and shell-like beds that seem to hover in space. Storage space is mostly hidden behind panels with sensor-activated doors that open to the touch. It was quite simply, as Underwood puts it, “a floating work of art.”

“Building the hull wasn’t a problem; that’s our bread and butter,” says Yard Supervisor Adrian Gooderham, who has worked at Spirit for more than 20 years. “But building the interior was a challenge, especially as they wanted the veneers to match, even in the sink areas, where it comes down the bulkhead onto the countertop, down the side, then onto the shelf, and down again—all matching. If there was a defect in any part of it, you’d have to find another veneer and start again.”

Most of the internal joinery was farmed out, but Gooderham built the distinctive saloon table—56 curved legs arranged in a circle, with a round glass top that bolted to the top of each leg. “Quite complex,” he admits.

Geist’s curvaceous bulkheads, settees, and house structure were built with flawless veneers, glass surfaces, and the absence of trim that could conceal any gaps.

Building Clean

The company’s commitment to the environment stems from its early days when, McMillan points out, just choosing to build in wood would label you as a crank. He still feels just as strongly about it now.

“You can’t build boats and not be concerned about the environment,” he says. “The implications for the yachting industry are dire, yet 99.9% of companies are banging out petrochemical products with no attempt to deal with end of life. There has to be a point when you stand up and say, ‘This cannot be right.’ We are gradually getting rid of diesel engines and trying to build boats that have minimum impact on the planet.”

Laminating diagonal sipo wood veneers over the Douglas-fir strip planking yields a stiff monocoque hull built mostly of renewable wood.

Over the years, the company has refined its focus. Early on, they stopped using Brazilian mahogany when their supplier couldn’t guarantee it came from a sustainable source. They switched to sipo, a similar timber grown as a commercial crop. More recently, they stopped using teak for decks and tried using the teak-substitute Lignia. When that company went bust amid concerns about the durability of the product, Spirit switched to using Douglas-fir, which has proven a good substitute. Various test panels with the alternative decking material are being continuously monitored, in part thanks to an accelerated-aging test tank on loan from electronics supplier Raymarine.

In 2020, they launched the first all-electric Spirit 44E (13.4m), fitted with an Oceanvolt sail drive powered by lithium-ion batteries that can be recharged by two large solar panels on the afterdeck or, while under sail, by the spinning propeller. Her decks were made of Lignia, and her sails were fabricated with 4T Forte recyclable cloth, courtesy of OneSails, which makes most of Spirit’s sails.  Avvento  was shipped to her owner’s home in British Columbia, Canada, where she cruises in remote areas for weeks at a time with no need for external energy supply. Her owner jokes that he’s more likely to run out of food than run out of electricity. Nearly half of Spirit’s new builds are now fitted with electric engines, though McMillan is quick to acknowledge that, environmentally speaking, they are not the “perfect panacea” due to the use of rare metals in the batteries.

Recently the yard has experimented with replacing teak decking with quarter-sawn Douglas-fir.

Bcomp’s flax fiber is a promising alternative to glass fiber laminate for exterior hull sheathing on Spirit’s 30-footers

More recently, Spirit Yachts has been applying flax cloth in place of fiberglass to sheathe their 30-footers—Bcomp’s ampliTex flax 350-g/m 2 biaxial (+/–45°) 1270mm and ampliTex flax twill 2/2, no twist, 1000mm, 300-g/m 2 —and will apply it to the bigger boats once they are happy with its performance. (See “ Flax  Boats,”  Professional BoatBuilder  No. 197, page 44.)

“We had to be much quicker with the glue when laying up the flax, as it is very absorbent,” says Gooderham. “We had to be precise with the quantities of resin, and we had to post-cure in a tent at 25°C [77°F] during the fairing process.”

The Spirit 44E Avvento was the first Spirit yacht with an electric sail drive powered by lithium-ion batteries. She also sported sails made of recyclable sailcloth.

They are also experimenting with bio-based resin in nonstructural areas and hope to use it more extensively in due course.

And there are many other, smaller ways the company earns its eco-credentials, as Helen Porter explains: “We recently replaced our plastic paint trays with sugar cane trays, and we’ve replaced our paint brushes and rollers with low-carbon-footprint products. We’re using vacuum bags made out of recycled materials. We’ve discovered we can reduce waste timber by 20% by using CNC to cut wood. So, we are constantly chipping away in the background. The goal is always to lower the carbon footprint of a yacht as much as possible.”

She makes the point that in most instances, the more sustainable solution will offer other benefits such as reduced noise, cheaper running costs, or greater self-sufficiency, meaning there is less need to call on expensive marinas. When the benefits are fully explained, she says, nine times out of 10 the client will opt for the more sustainable option.

Once again, the company’s once-unorthodox stance has served them well, and while most of the marine industry is playing catchup on burnishing their environmental credentials, Spirit finds itself in the vanguard of the movement. Underwood estimates that as many as 60% of their customers “have sustainability in their minds. They are living and breathing it already. They have an electric car. They have a ground-source heat-pump system at home. That’s why they come to us.”

Custom cabinetry and accommodations are strategically built-in before the cabin structure is sheathed.

Another sign of the times for Spirit Yachts is a greater emphasis on boat interiors, something designer Tom Smith, who trained partly in Italy, is happy to go along with. “The interior never used to get as much attention as the exterior. Now it’s just as much,” says Smith, who heads a team of four designers at the yard. “Lots of people want their yachts to be as comfortable as their homes. That should be possible, as long as you’re clever. I hate it when people say that yacht design is a compromise. There’s no reason to compromise; you just have to be clever with the design.”

In practical terms, that has meant a shift away from traditional wood paneling toward lighter colors, including white satin painted panels. The company is also collaborating with textiles companies to try out new color palettes including cloths made from recycled bottles.

Spirit Yachts Under Power

In recent years, Spirit has added a few powerboats to their stable of designs—from a couple of retro-styled launches, the P40 (12.2m) and P35 (10.7m), to a more substantial 70 ‘  motoryacht, the P70, designed to cross the North Sea from the U.K. to the Baltic and back at 18 knots. Even here, the company is keen to emphasize the designs’ eco credentials, noting that it can build the boats lighter than their GRP equivalents, which means they require smaller engines and therefore have greater fuel efficiency. It’s a virtuous circle that again benefits the client by saving them money in running costs.

Spirit’s most spectacular powerboat to date had finally completed its trials stage when I visited the company in June 2023. The F35 looks every bit like one of those classic North American speedboats from 100 years ago. Long and narrow, with sensuously shaped varnished topsides and foredeck, it appears the epitome of 1920s elegance. But, like her sailing sisters, the F35 has a secret hiding underwater: foils. Power her up to 14 knots or so and she will free herself from the tedious limitations of wetted surface area and fly largely above the water at up to 30 knots (though 22 knots is her cruising speed).

Spirit Yachts joined forces with BAR Technologies (better known for its  America ’s Cup simulation and design) to create this electric foiler with a range of 100 miles at 22 knots. This is a major step forward in electric boating, and all with a classic aesthetic that you don’t expect to perform so efficiently—that old McMillan joke again.

McMillan is rightfully proud of his new design and, back in the office, shows me a video of the boat in action on Lake Maggiore in Italy. Halfway through, the F35 is joined by a copy of the Crouch-designed  Baby Bootlegger , a curvaceous 1924 American mahogany speedboat that inspired his design. (See Paul Lazarus’s “How Fast Will It Go?” in PBB No. 169, page 62.) The family resemblance is clear—though, as McMillan points out, their performance is quite different. The old boat with its 220-hp (165-kW) combustion engine leaves a vast wake, while the big foiler at speed barely dimples the lake surface.

She’s clearly the future of motorboating—fast, elegant, and clean—especially once safety and ethical concerns around some lithium-ion batteries are resolved or competing alternative fuels become viable.

I’m keen to see the roll of plans McMillan has brought in for scanning—he still works in the early stages with pen and paper before submitting his drawings to CAD for the development and production stages—but it turns out they’re top secret. All he will say is that they are for an “extremely radical” electric foiler, considerably bigger than the F35. Even at 72, he is still clearly excited by this latest project.

An F35, the latest model in Spirit Yacht’s sparse line of powerboats, is an electric-powered fully foiling tribute to the mahogany runabouts of the 1920s.

Spirit Yachts’ Academy and Beyond

McMillan is willing to talk about another project close to his heart: the new Spirit Academy. In the past the company was able to recruit staff from all over the world to work in the yard, but that has become more difficult since Brexit, and like most companies in the boating sector, Spirit has suffered a skills shortage. The solution McMillan decided on is to set up a training center in a disused building right next to the yard. The Spirit Academy will be the first university-standard boatbuilding college in the world, training students to a high skill level so they come out ready to start work using modern tools and materials. The course of study will comprise most aspects of boatbuilding, including design, rigging, and sailmaking. The only thing that won’t be in the curriculum is fiberglass construction, which McMillan is convinced will soon “come to a crashing halt.”

He said he hopes to start restoring the building this autumn, with the first intake of students possible as early as fall of 2025. The plan is to enroll two classes a year of 12 students each for a two-year course, with a total of 48 students when it’s fully up and running.

Meanwhile, Spirit Yachts will continue building its distinctive brand of high-quality wood/composite yachts. Despite recent forays into powerboats, sailing yachts will continue to be their focus, particularly in the 60 ‘ –90 ‘  range (their “sweet spot,” according to Underwood). The new 72-footer is particularly popular right now, with three built in two years—one for charter (with a cabin forward for paid crew), one for racing, and the third for bluewater cruising.

McMillan shows no signs of slowing down, and neither does the company he created in a disused cowshed all those years ago. At last, it seems the world has caught up, and the McMillan joke of delivering modern performance boats with vintage aesthetics is one we can all understand.

About the Author:   Nic Compton is a freelance writer/photographer based in Devon, U.K. He lived on boats in the Mediterranean until the age of 15 and worked as a boatbuilder for many years before swapping his chisel for a pen and his router for a computer. He sails a Rhode Island–built Freedom 33, currently based in Greece.

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Leave Your Tears in Moscow

Posted on May 21, 2012

Leave Your Tears in Moscow , was originally published 50 years ago. It is the story of Barbara Armonas, and her decades of imprisonment in many different Siberian gulags and prison camps. The stories in this book are utterly unbelievable. This book, at the time, received acclaim and  partial serialization in Life magazine.

In November, 2011, this book was re-published. On April 21, 2012, as part of the Hope and Spirit project, Jonas Armonas, who plays a considerable role in the book as the son of Barbara, who was also deported, and his wife Dalia, presented the history of this book. They flew in from Cleveland, Ohio. The turn-out was excellent, and their presentation was well received. In the photograph below, sitting in the center is Jonas, and immediately to the right is his wife, Dalia. The other individuals are the extended Armonas family, along with members of the staff of the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture, and myself.

Copyright © 2024 Audrius Plioplys Website by euGenius digital imaging

SPIRIT YACHTS PRIVATE VIEW: 4TH – 6TH SEPTEMBER

Visit the spirit yachts.

From 4th – 6th September, Spirit Yachts will be hosting a private event at its waterside headquarters in Ipswich, Suffolk. Interested visitors can pre-book an individual appointment to view a range of Spirit yachts in build and on the water.

Yachts on display will include the newly launched Spirit 44E and two recently refitted Spirit yachts on the brokerage market: a Spirit 46 and a Spirit 76. Inside the Spirit yard, visitors will be able to see several yachts at different stages of construction: the new Spirit 30 day sailor, a Spirit 55CR (cruiser-racer), a Spirit 65DH (Deckhouse), a Spirit 72DH and a Spirit P40 superyacht tender.

Spirit Yachts managing director Nigel Stuart commented, “After much consideration, we do not yet feel ready to commit our staff, owners and visitors to a boat show. With our waterside headquarters and spacious build facility, we are able to offer a secure environment for people to come and see yachts in design, under construction and on the water.”

Nigel continued, “As Spirit yachts are all hand-crafted in the highest quality timber, nothing quite beats seeing the design and build process, and experiencing the finished article in person. It’s extremely important to us that our visitors are able to have that opportunity, but to feel comfortable and safe whilst doing so.”

In the absence of an official boat show launch, the private view will be the first time Spirit Yachts unveils its new 13.4m electric yacht, the Spirit 44E.

The yacht is a Spirit cruiser-racer (CR) design and has been completely customised for an eco-minded, overseas buyer. The project is the first fully electric yacht to be designed and built by Spirit Yachts. She has no hydrocarbons onboard and is the first yacht in the UK to be launched with solar panels integrated into both her main sail and deck.

Spirit Yachts head designer Sean McMillan commented, “From afar, the Spirit 44E looks like any other Spirit sailing yacht. Low freeboards, long overhangs, flush decks and the timeless beauty of quality wooden craftsmanship. Up close, she displays signs of the sailing yachts of the future.”

Two Solbian solar panels are integrated into the aft Lignia Yacht deck and colour match the hull so they blend with the style of the yacht. The panels charge Oceanvolt 48VDC batteries (total capacity 30.4kWh, made up of x16 1.9kWh batteries), which power her Oceanvolt ServoProp15 sail drive.

Spirit Yachts managing director Nigel Stuart commented, “The yacht’s owner has previously had an electric drive yacht, so he is knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to eco-friendly technology and its capabilities. He is extremely passionate about living sustainably onboard, which has allowed us to be bold with innovation and custom solutions.”

Nigel continued, “The lightweight electric drive system uses hydro generation via the propeller to regenerate the batteries whilst sailing. Regeneration depends on sailing speed, but it is realistic to see 1.5kW. The equivalent energy generated would be boiling a kettle, which is one of the highest power consuming appliances you would find on a yacht, or in your home for that matter. Weather dependent, the solar deck panels on the deck and main sail can regenerate an additional 625watts.”

Spirit Yachts has worked with OneSails GBR (East) to develop a solar solution for the Spirit 44E’s sail wardrobe.

John Parker from OneSails GBR (East) explained, “We have collaborated with Solar Cloth System to integrate thin cell PV panels into the yacht’s 4T FORTE™ main sail as a source of electrical generation.”

John continued, “Due to the high modulus construction of the 4T FORTE™ composite material, the impact of the PV panels will be minimal in terms of the sail’s characteristics and performance. The technology is cutting edge and to my knowledge it is first project of its kind in the UK.”

OneSails’ 4T FORTE™ sails are currently the only sails on the market made from a cloth that can be stripped of its hardware and recycled at commercial recycling plants.

Down below, the Spirit 44E’s eco credentials continue throughout. A reversible heating/air-conditioning Webasto pump heats and cools the yacht using minimal power. All lighting is LED and a Webasto 4.2gallon 115v/750W heater provides hot water. At the owner’s request, there are no hydrocarbons onboard and any cooking will be done on a stove that uses alcohol for fuel.

Nigel Stuart added, “With the 44E, we have taken the learnings from the Spirit 111 and applied the same principles to a smaller yacht. The lack of hydrocarbons and the addition of solar panelled deck and main sail has allowed us to take a step closer towards creating a completely sustainable yacht.”

To arrange an appointment to attend the Spirit Yachts private view from 4th-6th September, please contact the team via [email protected] or +44 (0)1473 214 715

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Official Opening of Moscow Boat Show 2013 on March 12

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Written by Zuzana Bednarova

March 12 at 01:00 p.m. saw the official opening ceremony of the largest exhibition of boats as well as yachts, the  Moscow Boat Show , taking place in the lobby of the third pavilion Crocus Expo IEC.

Official Opening Ceremony of Moscow Boat Show 2013

Moscow Boat Show is rightfully called the main event in the Russian world of boats and yachts. The largest in Russia event has for the sixth time already incorporated the most impressive representatives of the yachting world and fans of this spectacular sport!

Last year the exhibition was granted the status of “UFI Approved Event” and it was listed in the calendar of International Boat Industry (IBI), which includes all exhibition events of international level in the yachting industry.

Moscow Boat Show provides the perfect platform from which to preview new products, evaluate market trends, and establish long-lasting and commercially profitable partnerships. Despite the dynamic changes taking place in Russia and the rapid growth of the yachting sector, the show continues to complement and reflect the industry’s demand and is a promotional opportunity not to be missed!

The exposition space has increased up to 45 000 sq m in 2013. More than 350 companies from Great Britain , Germany , Holland , Greece , Spain , Italy , Cyprus , China , Latvia , New Zealand , United Arab Emirates , Poland , Slovenia , USA , Sierra Leone, Turkey , Ukraine , Finland , France , Croatia , Montenegro and, of course, Russia (17 regions) participated in the show. The scale of the project confirms confident positions of its positive development.

Moscow Boat Show 2013

Arcady Zlotnikov, Deputy Director General ZAO CROCUS INTERNATIONAL, was traditionally the first to take the floor at the official opening ceremony. He greeted warmly exhibitors, guests and visitors of Moscow Boat Show 2013 and presented high ranking guests of the ceremony.

Nikolay Krjuchek, Deputy Chief of the State Inspectorate for Small Vessels (SISV) of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Russia, congratulated everybody with the opening of the show, noted it high status, significance and perfect prospects of development.

Vladimir Silkin, President of the Russian Yachting Federation (VFPS), joined the previous speaker and added that the show had become the major event in the Russian world of boats and yachts.

Ekaterina Grishechkina, Director of exhibition Moscow Boat Show, spoke about organizer’s work and expressed her gratitude to all participants of the show.

All speakers noted dynamic development of the branch which leads to the intensive growth of the exhibition.

Having wished to exhibitors and visitors productive work and conclusion of new contracts, guests of honor of the Moscow Boat Show 2013 cut red ribbon and invited everybody to the exposition.

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "Official Opening of Moscow Boat Show 2013 on March 12".

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