“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.
