Images © Van Oossanen & Associates b.v.

In 1999 we were commissioned to design a 48 ft cruising yacht with a classical appearance and a modern, fast underwater hull. Our clients were inspired by a Bill Luders design from the sixties, which yacht was built by the Netherlands builder Le Comte. Although the Le Comte company no longer exists, considerable interest remains in the type of yacht that this yard used to build. All are interested in short-handed, long-range cruising. Accordingly, our main focus during this project was to design a yacht suited for long-range cruising by 2 people with, at times, two guests on board. Besides the requirement this places on sail-handling, this requirement also places a premium on good behaviour at sea and a very high level of safety, particularly in respect of stability.

Although the yacht has a distinct classical appearance, the underwater hull has been designed with emphasis on speed, low resistance and the efficient development of side force. Accordingly, the design of keel and rudder have been based on the latest thinking in this area. To secure a low centre of gravity, and thus a high stability, the ballast has been housed in a bulb at the bottom of the keel. High aspect ratio winglets have been fitted to the bulb to attain a high lift-drag ratio even though the draft to the bottom of the keel is only a little over 2 meters. VPP calculations have revealed that the boat possesses an impressive performance, particularly sailing to weather. In being able to position 5000 kg of ballast low down in the bulb, it has been possible to adopt a moderate beam, thereby allowing for good sailing properties when heeled and in a seaway. The entire concept, in which the moderate beam, centre of gravity location, draft and freeboard play a major role, has made it possible to achieve a high value of the angle of vanishing stability (133 degrees) and a value of the Stability Index, in accordance with the latest version of ISO 12217-2, in excess of 35, with empty tanks.

The interior arrangement is totally based on the necessary ingredients for making long cruises by 2 or 4 people. A cabin with two single berths is positioned forward in the hull and a cabin with a double berth is situated aft. Adjacent to the cabin aft is a bathroom with a toilet, a shower and a washbasin. Adjacent to the forward cabin is a bathroom with a toilet and a washbasin. Midships the yacht has two saloons. The aft saloon is positioned on a higher level, allowing outside vision from a seated position. The navigation area is situated in that area as well. The saloon forward is situated low in the hull, opposite the galley. Directly next to the entry into the deckhouse is a space for wet-weather gear.

The first yacht is presently being built from fibre-reinforced composite material, using marine ply as core material and tri-axial E-glass for the inner and outer skins. Moulds will be taken from this first hull and deck to allow for a less costly and a speedy building process later. Various people have expressed an interest in aluminium as construction material and this option is presently being studied.

The yacht has been designed according to Lloyds SSC Scantling Rules. It will also be certified by Lloyds under the European CE system, according to the requirements of category A.