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50' Fast Daysailer
This exciting 50' daysailer combines elements of classic aesthetics with modern hull form and rig. "This melding is nothing new for us," says Robert Stephens of Brooklin Boat Yard Design Associates. "We have specialized in ‘Spirit of Tradition' yachts for a number of years, but this boat pushes that envelope." The long, low hull of cold-molded cedar is light enough to deliver planing performance off the wind, while the powerful, backstayless carbon rig supports a huge square-headed mainsail and a non-overlapping jib. Masthead spinnakers and a Code Zero will lend additional sail area as the wind hauls aft. The appendages have been designed to provide the necessary stability and control, while minimizing drag to encourage planing. The 4400 lb. of lead ballast is concentrated in a bulb with organic, flowing lines, ending in a beavertail shape for efficient shedding of the tip vortex. The bulb is suspended at the end of an aft-swept fin, the better to shed the ubiquitous Main lobster trap lines. BBY Design Associates' Paul Waring designed and engineered the wood-carbon fin to easily handle all sailing and grounding loads, utilizing a "crush box" system to minimize damage to the hull in the event of a hard grounding. A welded bronze truss system further reinforces the keel/mast step area. The carbon rudder is a narrow NACA laminar section. Long overhangs reduce wetted surface in light air, while adding to sailing length as the boat accelerates—and they also look great. The spoon bow and heavily raked and radiused transom hearken back to the daysailers of the last century, as does a traditional varnished teak companionway, but the cockpit is laid out for efficient crew work and a clean deck. All lines run below deck to keep clutter to a minimum; most lines exit the base of the mast, and tasks are concentrated at a pair of winches at the front of the cockpit. Jib and spinnaker sheets are handled at wing pods aft of the cockpit seating; jib sheets are directed aft within the coamings, as is the double-ended main sheet. A lightweight electro-hydraulic system controls the adjustable headstay, vang, outhaul, and traveler from pushbuttons near the helm. "It's been a lot of fun to work with this client," says Stephens. "Ginger is the third boat that we have designed for him in the last several years, and he has given us the opportunity to explore this genre in new and exciting ways." The owner's earlier boats included Lena, a 47' daysailer that saw considerable success among local fleets both classic and modern, and Goshawk, a 76' wood/foam/carbon racer/cruiser that finished second in its class in the 2006 Bermuda Race. The owner will enjoy daysailing Ginger out of Camden, Maine, and competing in local races among the well-established Maine classic fleet in such events as the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta, which attracts about 90 classic and Spirit of Tradition boats each year. Should the urge to travel strike, the keel fin is easily removed from the hull to allow low-profile trailering. Ginger's Specifications
Hull Construction: cold-molded wood, four layers: inner layer 3/8" Port Orford cedar strip planking over laminated fir frames; two layers diagonal 1/8" western red cedar, outer layer 3/16" Port Orford cedar, running fore-and-aft. Sheathing of 10 oz fiberglass/epoxy. Awlgrip paint system. Deck: Teak Decking Systems panelized teak deck, laid over plywood subdeck. Mast and Boom: carbon, by Ted Van Dusen (Composite Engineering, Inc.) |
