The Refit of Isabel, a 2001 Georg Nissen design
Most boats that come to us at Brooklin Boat Yard in need of work get assessed top to bottom. Our Service Manager, Nick Bellico, interviews the owner or captain to learn about the boat’s future intended use, specific requests/upgrades, and any past troubles/issues. From there, he and his team comb through systems, rigging, cosmetics, and structure to gauge performance. What will it take for this boat to meet the owner’s expectations? Sometimes, that means winning races. Other times, it means comfort first.
In the case of Isabel, the owner had a previous boat named Isabel, but he recently acquired this version; this Isabel is narrower and faster. She needed work to be both more comfortable and win some races. The owner’s brief to Nick? Let’s accomplish both.
What transpired was a thorough wintertime retrofit of a 2001 J Class Endeavour-inspired Georg Nissen design; the work was substantial.
Bow to stern assessment + servicing
New SeaFrost fridge + freezer system
Service to seacocks, zincs, strainers, drive train, & propellor with prop speed coating
Service to air conditioning, cabin heaters, hydraulics, water systems, thrusters, stove system, fuel system, black water systems, gray water systems, + engine room/utility space
Engine & Generator (full service): fluids, filters, belts, alternators, starters, heat exchangers, oil lines, impeller, zincs, hoses, etc.
Batteries: replacement of start batteries, load/health test to house batteries, repairs/upgrades to battery management/monitoring systems
Charging: assessment, repairs, and setup for shore power charging for both EU and US power
Complete electrical panel upgrade + overall electrical upgrade
Electronics upgrade: new install of B&G VHF v60 w/ remote mic, AIS class B, GPS antenna, Raymarine Quantum2 Radar, Starlink system, Iridium phone, depth transducer, and speed calibration
Stern mast: removal, custom carbon repairs and mounts, housing new electronics, new Awlcraft paint, + junction underdeck for easy removal
Lifting keel: serviced hydraulic mechanics, repairs to wings and fin, service and installation of drains to access panel and fairing plate
Paint (completely stripped from keel to sheer): faired, barrier coat, and custom color racing bottom paint, spray finish of Awlcraft boot stripe, topsides, and cove stripe
New custom name and hail: designed by Reed Hayden
Exterior brightwork: completely stripped, then sealed and applied with 8+ coats of traditional varnish
Exterior joinery: seamless exterior joinery repairs of splines, dutchmans, and veneers as needed
Rebuild of cockpit table
Interior joinery: replacement of fridge/freezer surrounds, interior door veneers, custom-built panels for electrical/controls + all custom stained and varnished to match
Deck: resurfaced and caulking repairs; removed dinghy from deck and re-planked centerline decking; removed hardware then serviced and/or replaced + reinstalled
Rigging: replaced foil sections; serviced furlers; replaced deck glands; serviced mast/boom hardware; removed spinnaker pole and hardware; service and setup for asymmetrical spinnaker flying; general service to all rigging hardware
New mast jack and hydraulic lines winches, clutches/jammers: removed and provided full-service upgrade to ceramic jaws to all clutches/jammers; installed with new fastenings and bedding
New running rigging: upgraded to custom Marlow SK99 Dyneema/Tech 50 line custom-spliced + tipped with armor coat dye + fixed length headsail halyards + systematically color-coded with an overall classic aesthetic
New main, jib, genoa, and asymmetrical spinnaker by North Sails with Helix technology and custom artwork
Safety gear: assessment and upgrades to life raft, Epirb, ditch bag, fire extinguishers, etc.
Isabel’s captain, a year-round resident of Martha’s Vineyard, says one of the most personally challenging aspects of the work was the translation from German to English. “All the labels and instructions were in German,” he says, “Everything had to be translated. I’m still finding things that have to be translated.” One of his commitments is to replace each German language label with an English one.
The captain says of his time in Brooklin, “Everyone here has been incredibly helpful. I’ve learned so much from them, and they take the time to explain everything.” He adds, “This is such a special place.”
Isabel launched two days ago and is already headed back to her summertime mooring in Vineyard Haven where she will undoubtedly race this summer as well as host some family cruises. Her winter destination is still to be determined. One thing is certain, though. She will be turning some heads on the race course!
Nick Bellico says of the outcome, “She sails like a dream, better than I expected,” and that’s a tall order.
Re: logistics, Nick Bellico says, “Because of Isabel’s unique design and lifting keel, careful planning and logistics were executed to haul, unstep, move, step, and launch… hauling/launching backwards, careful planning for sitting on the keel, subcontracted cranes and hydraulic trailers… all coordinated on schedule.”
Isabel gets a test run on the Eggemoggin Reach following the completion of her extensive worklist at Brooklin Boat Yard.
