Spirit Yachts Info?

[Franco]

One of their boats is featured in the movie "Casino Royale". What do you know about these boats? They sure look beautiful.

[bob perry]

Those boats are built in England and in house designs by the guys who own the yard. They have a variety of sizes including one now that is over 100' if memory serves.
There is a 46' version for sale in B.C. They are not inexpensive but they are exquisite.

[Franco]

Thanks for the response. So, what are the effects of such a long stern "overhang" (don't know what else to call it)? Compared to modern designs, this boats seem to have a big delta between LOA and LWL. I really like the clean look of the deck, although I'm not sure how safe it would be to move around without lifelines. Also, I guess you are not supposed to sit on the windward rail. I wonder if there are any boat yards that build these type of boat with classic looks but modern rigs and keels, but with fiberglass hulls instead of wood.

[bob perry]

Franco:
That's exactly what you call it, i.e. stern overhang.
We could get into a big argument here about how "overhangs extend the waterline" when the boat heels. It does to some degree but the question is is that added length doing any "work" or isit just being dragged along. I'm sure we will hear from a lot of experts on the subject.

The simple answer is this: Look how much of that stern is out of the water. And in this case the camera angle is actually doing the boat a favor. Just dangling overhang along in either the bow or the stern does nothing to increase the sailing length of a boat. You have to immerse volume in order for the boat to gain speed in a heeled state.

Now I will put on the other hat. Some AC studies have shown that ovehangs can make a boat faster in a chop.

You see what you want to see. Nice boat isn't it?

[Franco]

God bless the internet. You post a question on a forum, and you get not one but two replies from a well known yacht designer. Thanks, Mr. Perry for contributing to this forum.

[bob perry]

Franco:
I'm a sailor who loves boats just like you. What's the point in spending 49 years learning about boats if I can't share what I have learned.

[Wrenna]

These boats are pure jewels.
Classic Yachts by SPIRIT
One of them (a Spirit 46) is based in Port Fréjus. She is currently taking part in Les Voiles d'Antibes. Her name is Ilhabela II, she finished 1st the day before yesterday, and 2nd yesterday, so she stands a good chance of winning the event tomorrow. These boats compete in a class of their own called Spirit Of Tradition (SOT.)
Les Voiles d'Antibes 2009
My son (Yachtmaster 200) is number 1 deckhand aboard Ilhabela. He enjoys every minute of it.