big spirit yacht

REALISING THE DREAM

Designed as a simple yet elegant day sailer, the Spirit 30 is a pocket rocket on the water.

Sporting a 1930s-inspired, modern classic design and uncluttered decks, she is aesthetically beautiful and simple to sail. The ideal yacht for coastal cruising on a sunny day with family and friends, the Spirit 30 is also set-up for single or short-handed racing. Her light displacement, modern hull design, and performance rig and sails deliver speed on the water and the option for competitive racing.

In line with Spirit’s environmentally-conscious ethos, the Spirit 30 comes with an electric drive system, which regenerates the batteries whilst under sail. Current range is circa 16NM at 5 knots. Increased range can be gained with optional additional battery capacity.

At only 9.15m long with a light displacement of 1.7tonnes, the Spirit 30 can easily be transported on a road trailer, adding to the versatility of this simple yet classically beautiful yacht.

SPIRIT R30 AT A GLANCE

Specification & features.

• L.O.A 30' 2" / 9.2m
• L.W.L 20' 10" – 6.35m
• Beam 6' 6" / 1.98m
• Draft 4' 5" / 1.35m
• Lightship Displacement 1.6 tonnes
• Ballast Ratio 39.40%
• Propulsion 4FP electric saildrive
• Upwind Sail Area 39.6 m2
• Rig Fractional Bermudan Sloop
• Keel Iron Blade 209kg – Lead Bulb 397kg
• RCD Category C (F6 winds 2m waves)
• RCD Max persons 5

TIMELESS ELEGANCE

Spirit Yachts’ contemporary, elegant design style is world renowned. Subtle variations on 1930s classic yacht design with long overhangs, low profiles and smooth lines, married to contemporary underwater profiles, are synonymous with Spirit’s modern classic performance yachts.

Spirit Yachts are designed to be as beautiful in 100 years as they are today.

SIMILAR YACHTS

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Devonport Challenge 72, CHALLENGE BUSINESS 45

Devonport Yachts Ltd, Devonport Challenge 72 Built 2000 / £195,000, + VAT

Broker’s Comments

CHALLENGE BUSINESS 45 was famous as BIG SPIRIT, and part of the extrodiary fleet which sailed around the world against prevailing winds and currents when she was owned by Chay Blyth’s Challenge Business.

The Challenge 72s were built to MCA Category 0 with the brief to provide a safe and secure platform for 18 people from all walks of life to sail around the world aboard. Probably the most iconic one design class to sail the world’s oceans, CHALLENGE BUSINESS 45 was sold out of the Challenge Fleet when they stopped trading and then had a successful sailing career as an adventure sailing yacht in the Mediterranean and Caribbean as BIG SPIRIT.

Her career came to an abrupt end in 2011 when she fell while being lifted ashore for her annual pit stop before an Atlantic circuit. She lost her rig and sustained substantial damage to her structure. In her current ownership she has been assessed by MECAL surveyors from the MCA and the needed work to the structure has been overseen by them. This work is of a standard to enable CHALLENGE BUSINESS 45 to code to MCA Category 0 again, giving her the ability to sail commercially worldwide with charter guests onboard, provided that the rest of the refit is carried out to Mecal’s standards.

All structural steel repairs to the hull and deck have now been completed and signed off by MECAL and supported by radiography and MPI test reports. All of these reports (listed below) are available upon request. The owners worked with design engineer Jim Moore who did the design engineering for the Challenge Fleet initially, and provided the owners with the nested plates from the original design drawing of CB 45.

• MECAL Big Spirit Rebuild report 14/04/2014.
• MECAL Big Spirit Rebuild report 25/04/2014.
• MECAL Big Spirit Rebuild report Photogrammetry report 29/04/2014.
• MECAL Big Spirit Rebuild report Deck Plan Shape 03/2014.
• MECAL Big Spirit Rebuild report 16/11/2015.
• MECAL Big Spirit Rebuild report 02/12/2015.
• MECAL Big Spirit Rebuild report 04/05/2016.
• Big Spirit radiography report 03/05/2016.
• Big Spirit Rebuild MPI report 07/05/16.

The yacht will require a new rig and sails and other items damaged or removed will need to be replaced i.e. soft furnishings, internal furniture and linings, water maker, cabin heater and electronics package. She will also need to be filled and faired in the repair area and repainted. The opportunity exists for a new owner to store the yacht at the owner’s yard either outside or in one of their build sheds in order to carry out these works. Challenge 72’s do not come onto the market very often and they are simply the last word in safe, powerful and capable adventure sailing be it the Southern Ocean or high latitude.

CHALLENGE BUSINESS 45 is being offered as is, where is with all surveys, equipment and documentation available to the current owners, passed onto her new owners. She must be sold.

History of Challenge 72 Yachts

12 yachts were built for the 2000/01 BT Global Challenge and all of them successfully completed the 10 month westabout circumnavigation.

During the autumn of 2003 they underwent a series of detailed surveys and inspections. Whist the yachts and all their systems/equipment were found to be in exceptionally good condition, they underwent a major refit. The 12 yachts set off on their second circumnavigation in October 2004 and again all of them successfully completed the 10 month westabout circumnavigation. CHALLENGE BUSINESS 45 achieved first place in the race.

The 2003 refit amounted to a virtual rebuild with all the systems and equipment being replaced. This included new plumbing, wiring, generator, batteries, pumps, deck equipment, steering gear, mast, spars, rigging and sails.

The Challenge 72′ Class yachts have proven themselves to be outstanding yachts; they are probably the strongest and most seaworthy fleet ever to have raced around the world.

The yachts have an almost legendary reputation for their performance in difficult conditions, comfort at sea and confidence inspiring ability. Their strength and ability also makes them ideal for high latitudes and gives almost unique access to many places that are inaccessible by other means. The design lends itself to a wide variety of uses as well as Ocean Racing. The deck layout and accommodation makes the yachts suitable for corporate entertaining, adventure sailing, chartering and private use.

The Challenge 72′ class of yachts had quality equipment and sound engineering ensuring reliability and low maintenance costs. The frequent and stringent regime of surveys and inspections has illustrated that well built and maintained steel yachts can race around the world at least twice in the world’s toughest yacht race and still remain in Bureau Veritas highest notation.

Construction

Safety was paramount both in terms of structural strength and crew safety. Because of the One Design nature of the race, the design was not influenced or distorted by any rating rule and a sensible displacement was specified. Other important design considerations include, ease of access to the structure, equipment, systems, wiring and fittings for maintenance and inspections both at sea and in harbour. Every piece of equipment had to be robust enough to survive a race around the world with minimum maintenance.

Many of the design principles were based on Sir Chay Blyth’s experience of sailing around the world single handed against the prevailing winds and currents and the Challenge 67 Class which came before. Devonport Yachts (DML) was chosen to build the fleet to Bureau Veritas highest notation. The construction method allows relatively simple and cost effective alterations to the interior layout.

Designer and Design Team

Designer – rob humphreys.

Rob Humphreys of Rob Humphreys Yacht Design, is an innovative yacht designer with a very good track record for producing fast, attractive sailing boats of most sizes. Before selecting a designer the outline brief was sent to fifteen of the UK’s best yacht designers to submit proposals. Rob’s proposal most closely grasped our vision of a yacht for the millennium and suitable for the “World’s Toughest Yacht Race”. He illustrated his keenness to incorporate the ideas of, and the lessons learned by The Challenge Business fleet into his design.

www.humphreysdesign.com/yacht-designs/sail/global-challenge-72-fleet

Structural Engineer – Roger Scammell

Roger Scammell of Key Designs, crunches the numbers and calculates how to provide the strength necessary for the most highly loaded areas of the yacht such as, the chain plates, rudder, skeg, keel and many other areas. As an example the lower rudder bearing is structured to accept an athwartships load of 20 tonnes.

Roger worked closely with The Challenge Business team and had considerable input into the Challenge 67’ yachts and their fittings. He also designs many of the custom-made deck and rigging components. Roger has an ability to predict the breaking strain of components with unnerving accuracy.

Design Engineer – Jim Moore

Jim Moore of Jim Moore Designs, takes the Rob Humphreys hull shape, the Bureau Veritas approved structures, the Builders (Devonport Yachts) production ideas and translate them into computer files (CNC data) which allows the laser cutting of steel and produce the complex building kit.

Jim also creates the computer files to allow waterjet and laser cutting of the accommodation kits. The result is steel yachts built within tolerances and levels of accuracy that were previously considered unobtainable. Jim Moore pioneered the development of laser cut self-jigging kits to speed the construction and accuracy of yacht construction and internal fit out.

The Challenge Business International Ltd – Andrew Roberts, Project Director and Matthew Ratsey, BT Challenge 2000 Class Project Manager

The design input from The Challenge Business stems from Sir Chay Blyth’s unique experience and very positive approach to good seamanship and seaman like design. Andrew has overall responsibility for the design, construction and maintenance of the Challenge fleet. He produces the design concepts and briefs, and oversees all aspects of the design process.

The Challenge fleet has sailed approximately 1.5 million miles including fifty circumnavigations. The results of careful collecting and collation of data during two Challenge Business round the world races has reinforced many ideas as well as generated new design ideas and features to improve safety, comfort and performance.

Matthew Ratsey, yacht designer, coordinates the output from the other members of the design team, develops ideas, and creates detailed drawings of the yacht and systems and constantly checks the accuracy of the drawings.

Safety Standards, Surveys & Regulatory Bodies

All the Challenge yachts have been built under Bureau Veritas supervision to their highest yacht notation. Subsequently, a rigid regime of regular inspections and surveys developed by The Challenge Business has been conducted by independent Surveyors.

The yachts are designed and fitted out to comply with MCA requirements for unlimited operations (worldwide in high latitudes) Design approval Bureau Veritas Certifying Authority – MECAL for MCA Safety Standards compliance – MCA Cat 0 & Royal Ocean Racing Club, ORC Cat 0 Challenge Business policy for safety at sea Challenge Business Quality Assurance Programme. The Challenge Business maintained a full and detailed service history for this yacht.

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Yacht Details

• Builder: Devonport Yachts Ltd
• Model: Devonport Challenge 72
• Yacht Name: CHALLENGE BUSINESS 45
• Hull Designer: Rob Humphreys
• Year Built: 2000
• LOA: 72’ / 21.95m
• LWL: 61’ / 18.59m
• Beam: 18’ / 5.50m
• Min Draft / Max Draft: 10’5” / 3.20m
• Displacement: 43,000kg / 94799lb
• Fuel Capacity: 2150 litres
• Water Capacity: 1775 litres
• Berths: 18 berths in 5 cabin(s)
• Engine Count: 1 Perkins Sabre M130C (130hp) Diesel
• Country: Exeter, Devon, UK
• Asking Price: £195,000, + VAT

Contact Details

Sue Grant Berthon UK Tel: 0044 (0)1590 679 222 E-Mail: [email protected] Click image for full broker profile.

Enquire about CHALLENGE BUSINESS 45

Related yachts.

PEREGRIN €2,100,000 / 2015 Y Yachts, Y8

SLOW GIN £230,000 / 2008 Beneteau, Oceanis 523 Clipper

BOOMERANG AF STOCKSUND SEK2,595,000 / 1989 Sweden Yachts, Sweden Yachts 50

SURPRISE €185,000 / 1973 Camper & Nicholsons, Nicholson 55

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

ON TEST: Spirit 44e – the sustainable future of sailing?

• Theo Stocker
• November 1, 2020

A wooden boat that blazes a trail for modern technology and sustainability sounds too good to be true. Theo Stocker went to see if the Spirit 44e is as good as promised

Product Overview

Spirit yacht 44cr electric.

• Most sustainable yacht available today
• Sails beautifully
• Stunning looks
• Limited accommodation for length
• Upkeep of wooden boat

Manufacturers:

Price as reviewed:.

Boats have been built out of wood since Noah first put axe to tree, but when it comes to cutting-edge yachts, timber is right back at the top.

Spirit Yachts have been building head-turningly pretty wooden yachts with stiff, lightweight laminated wooden hulls since 1993, including the largest wooden yacht built in the UK since the 1930s in the shape of the Spirit 111 , launched this year.

But away from all the fanfare, the Ipswich-based yard has also just launched Avvento , smaller sister to its 47 and 55 Cruising Range yachts.

Far from being a lesser vessel, however, the Spirit 44 Cruising Range Electric Boat (44e for short) hides advances in sustainable technology under its gleaming topsides that offer a glimpse into the future of boat building.

Unrecyclable fibreglass and sails, toxic antifoul, and fossil-fuel propulsion are replaced by sustainably sourced timber, self-sufficient electric propulsion and zero-carbon emissions.

The proud new owner is Vincent Argiro, a retired technology entrepreneur who lives and sails in British Columbia in Canada.

Explaining his motivation to go for such a radical concept, he said: ‘My first sailboat was also the first of its kind to be built all-electric. I have never owned anything else, nor will I.

‘To me, it is a terrible corruption of the beauty and simplicity of sailing to add internal-combustion propulsion to it.’

She is built, Spirit claims, to last a hundred years and to be largely recyclable when the time does come. In the intervening century, she will burn no hydro-carbons whatsoever with not even a backup generator on board, or, for that matter, any obvious renewable energy sources. I was curious to see how she worked.

THE TEST VERDICT

The Spirit 44e is a fabulously expensive boat given her limited accommodation and shorter than average waterline length, if you are going to judge her by volume.

As managing director Nigel Stuart says: ‘You need to think about her volume relative to her waterline rather than overall length.’ That’s a nice idea, if you have the luxury of not worrying about marina fees.

You can get a lot of boat for this kind of budget, so why would you buy the Spirit 44e? Firstly, she is drop dead gorgeous. From her sleek lines to her dovetail joints, there is no part of the boat that is not a pleasure to look at.

Then, she is utterly engaging to sail. Lightweight, powerful and responsive, helming her will put a smile on your face, while she should cope equally well with the rough stuff. Finally, she is light years ahead of most production yachts in terms of environmental impact.

I would opt for the smaller rig and higher boom, and I’d like narrower cockpit seats. Most owners would opt for a backup diesel generator for peace of mind, though with new battery tech on its way, unlimited range is within reach.

The Spirit 44e goes a very long way to prove that yachts can be built and run in a sustainable way.

Would the Spirit 44e suit you and your crew?

This boat isn’t about mass-market appeal, but who wouldn’t fall in love given half a chance? In reality, for the kind of cruising most sailors really do, weekends and a few weeks here and there, she is luxuriously comfortable for a cruising couple with occasional guests. Liveaboard cruising is more of a stretch, but entirely feasible, while she’ll also do well racing round the cans.

There’s plenty of entertaining space, particularly on deck once you’re in harbour, and if you don’t mind the stares, she turns heads wherever she goes.

Very few boats out there could hold a hydrocarbon-free candle to the Spirit 44e. Even Noah might have been tempted to leave his animals for this boat.

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Q&A with owner of Spirit 111 sailing yacht Geist

BOAT catches up with the owner of the new 33.9 metre Spirit 111 sailing yacht Geist , which was delivered in 2020. 

Why this design, and why Spirit Yachts?

I have owned a Spirit 52 for 10 years now, and I have never, for a single day, regretted owning her. I have spent wonderful times competing and enjoying her with friends, and I’ve sailed her solely with my wife, exploring those parts of the Mediterranean that remain untouched. I am very fond of the boat. During the 10 years of ownership, I have grown to implicitly trust and respect the team at Spirit Yachts – I knew they would listen to my ideas and I was confident they had the skills to execute the project. The 111 is a testament of love to the little 52. Now, I require more space to include family and friends, yet would not want to sacrifice performance, elegance or the way she immerses me in the elements.

• Behind the scenes: Step on board the new Spirit 111 sailing yacht Geist

What was the brief?

In most larger yachts, space is gained at the cost of detaching yourself from nature (a higher freeboard and bulwarks, for example). Being close to the water and to the environment is what drew me to yachts in the first place and this became central to my inspiration. I sat down with Spirit Yachts owner and founder Sean McMillan and discussed this from the early stages. He was keen to take on the design brief, and he gave me the confidence to push on with the project. The first drawings were very encouraging and gave me confidence that, together with interior designers Rhoades Young , we could carry the vision further. The aesthetics of the yacht, inside and out, were always of paramount importance, closely followed by the aim of being as self-sufficient as possible and minimizing the impact on the environment that inspires and motivates me.

Tell us about the yacht’s green ethos

The environment played a strong part in early discussions on the project. I spoke at length with Spirit Yachts’ managing director Nigel Stuart about the technology available. We compared the project and its goals to a “Tesla of the seas.” It was always very important to me that the yacht does not play a part in destroying her natural environment. Spirit examined the build, operation and end-of-life phases of the project to lower the carbon footprint at each stage. I enjoy being at anchor in a tranquil bay away from crowded marinas, so regeneration of the batteries was important to allow this self-sufficient way of living on board. We have generators as a back-up but I plan to enjoy her under power created from a day’s sailing.

What is the atmosphere like inside?

I didn’t want any clutter to distract from the beauty and warmth of the timber and Spirit’s craftsmanship. Light was key to the interior design and a lot of consideration went into how natural light could warm the interior and create a calm atmosphere. The daily pattern of natural light was balanced with the responsive lighting system so the interior would always feel peaceful and never interrupted by harsh, bright lights.

How did you want to sail her?

I wanted to be able to sail the yacht short-handed. I will have some support to start with, but the goal is to be able to cruise her with just my friends and family. I also love racing at the classic regattas on my Spirit 52, so the yacht needed to be similarly competitive with a performance rig and sails. I have been very impressed with her sailing so far; she is fast and beautifully smooth to helm.

What are your favourite things on board?

My favourite things are the details. I spent a lot of time considering the door handles, for example. When the doors to the VIP and master suites are closed, the curved door handles are at different heights, so they look like uninterrupted waves rippling over the timber. The ends of the salon seating, where the timber bends around to a very small radius and looks like it has grown that way over many years, is also fascinating.

How will you use her?

She will be used for cruising and exploring new and old destinations with family and friends. I will also race her at regattas.

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The Essence of Small Ship Sailing

Wind Spirit is a sleek, 4-masted sailing yacht accommodating 148 guests. With four decks and a gross tonnage of 5,736, Wind Spirit feels like your own private yacht.

Wind Spirit features wide open, teak decks—quite unusual for small ships. Guests will find hidden nooks for private moments giving them a feeling of being on their own private veranda.

All staterooms have ocean views, queen beds, and flat-screen TV with DVD player. The Owner’s Suite includes a sitting area.

Wind Spirit offers two primary dining venues. Amphora restaurant offers gourmet, course-by-course cuisine in the evenings and Veranda restaurant offers casual buffet and full-service dining for breakfast and lunch. All dining is open seating. And, for dining under the stars, make a reservation for Candles which features steaks and skewers.

Wind Spirit amenities include: World Spa by Windstar, Watersports Platform, Lounge, Library, Pool, and Hot Tub.

Windstar has always been known for our iconic sailing ships, and now we are embarking on a multi-year refresh of the Wind Class ships. The initiative, Setting Sails: A Wind Class Refresh , brings the tight-knit connection of the Windstar community to the forefront through the redesign of public spaces and staterooms. From a revamped lobby to a new pool and larger pool bar, new World Spa by Windstar to a redesigned lounge, this initiative also includes intricate details like new teak decks and décor for a timeless and welcoming experience. Wind Spirit will complete her redesign in 2025.

Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers TV with DVD Player Fully Stocked Mini Bar/Refrigerator Safe L'Occitane Bath Amenities Fresh Fruit Hair Dryers and 110/220 outlets Wi-Fi (internet cards can be purchased at reception) Bathroom with granite countertop and shower Granite vanity with magnifying mirror

• CAPACITY: 148 Guests
• STATEROOMS: 73 deluxe ocean view staterooms
• OWNERS SUITE: 1 ocean view owner’s suite
• DECKS: 4 decks
• CREW:  101 international staff
• SHIP'S REGISTRY: Bahamas
• LENGTH: 360 feet (110 meters) at waterline; 440 feet (134 meters) including bowsprit
• DRAFT: 14 feet (4.1 meters)
• TONNAGE: 5,703 gross registered tons (grt)
• BEAM: 52.1 feet (15.8 meters)
• SAILS: 6 triangular, self-furling, computer-operated sails with 21,500 square feet (or 2,200 square meters) of Dacron surface area
• MASTS: 4 at 204 feet (62 meters)
• ENGINES: 3 diesel electric generating sets, 1 electrical propulsion motor
• SPEED: 10 knots with engines only; up to 15.8 knots with prevailing wind

'Port & Starbord Yacht Club

‘port and starboard yacht club.

It’s July of 2023, and the ‘PSYC web page is coming back to life after too many years of distraction from COVID and more. We hope all will be patient, but also feel free to step up and help guide the content you wish to see. More to come!

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Small club, big spirit

• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Spirit Yachts: Inside the British yard behind some of the world’s most beautiful boats

• February 6, 2020

Few builders possess the power of seduction demonstrated by British wood epoxy experts Spirit Yachts. David Glenn reports

Spirit Yachts’s workforce with one of the laminated sapele frames of the Spirit 111. Photo: Emily Harris

Today, Ipswich-based Spirit Yachts is embarking on a new phase in its development, having recently launched a 111ft sailing yacht that exploits the benefits of electric propulsion, the latest high voltage lithium battery technology and smart control systems to reduce the need for fossil fuel power.

Like all Spirits, she was constructed in timber from sustainable sources and because of her light and easily driven hull she could potentially become one of the most efficient sailing yachts afloat. On the face of it she’s an eco-warrior’s dreamboat, which means she was scrutinised down to her last plank of Douglas fir before her launch last year. But more of her later.

A joiner marking out a below waterline area. Photo: Emily Harris

In spite of a full order book, Sean McMillan, founder of Spirit Yachts, whose distinctive design style and inherent skill as a woodworker are responsible for these luscious-looking yachts, is the first to admit that it hasn’t always been an easy ride: “It’s been a roller-coaster, but it’s also been a great experience,” he says.

McMillan’s passion for wooden boatbuilding, and dogged determination to retain a highly skilled workforce through thick and thin has put him and Spirit at the very forefront of modern wooden yacht building.

Raising the profile

Five years ago the Ipswich-based company was facing a tough market as the ripple effect of the 2008 financial crisis continued to hobble business. Refit came to the rescue, but only up to a point. “I knew that we could not afford to lose staff,” said Sean, who has always placed his boat builders at the heart of Spirit’s success.

Article continues below…

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The directors also realised that running the company and designing the yachts (as well as not being able to resist some hands-on boat building), was too much for one man to handle. So they appointed Nigel Stuart as managing director. He came from Discovery Yachts and quickly raised Spirit Yachts’s profile.

Together with the Brexit effect and the consequent fall in sterling, making British products considerably more attractive, things began to look up. Today the company has an enviable, trend-bucking order book.

Fling in timber

The Spirit 52D Oui Fling racing in the Solent in July 2017. Photo: Emily Harris

After just a seven-month build period Spirit launched one of its more remarkable modern classics in the summer of 2017, the completely stripped out Spirit 52D for high profile, serial racing yacht owner Irvine Laidlaw, who was keen to add a modern classic to his fleet of Highland Flings. The D incidentally stands for ‘Distilled’.

On her first outing at the Panerai British Classic Week in Cowes, Oui Fling , surely the ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing, dispatched the opposition in short order. Her victims included Sean McMillan (sailing his own Spirit 52, Flight of Ufford , which is anything but stripped out) who couldn’t quite catch Fling on handicap!

Laidlaw’s boat, which apparently touched 16 knots in the Solent, weighs just 6.8 tonnes – extraordinary for a wooden 52-footer – and is two tonnes lighter than Flight .

In addition to Oui Fling ’s exploits, the announcement of the 111ft sloop contract was a massive boost, in fact a potential game changer for Spirit. Sean McMillan believes she is the largest wooden yacht of her type built in Britain since the J Class Shamrock V was launched by Camper & Nicholsons in 1930.

The Spirit 111 is, of course, a largely wood epoxy build, but incorporating a high voltage lithium ion battery-powered electric propulsion system and smart electrical management. Together with an original interior by world renowned designers Rhoades Young, and the appointment of a specialist project manager in the form of the highly experienced German Jens Cornelsen, this yacht places the company firmly in the superyacht league.

Spirit Yachts put its toe in the water with larger yachts when the 100ft Gaia was launched in 2007, but there were issues, especially in race mode upwind, when her timber hull deflected marginally more than anticipated, making it difficult to keep rig loads stable. The structure was re-worked back in Ipswich and Gaia returned to the circuit in good shape.

100ft Gaia is soon to be eclipsed as the yard’s flagship. Photo: Carlo Borlenghi

Refreshingly, Sean McMillan is not afraid to admit that he and the company have had to learn lessons over the past 27 years. With limited scantling and engineering information available from classification societies for modern wood epoxy construction, Spirit has, at times, had to feel its way along the design route. Today, with what they call their ‘file of evidence’ containing historic calculations and structural data, they are con dent about tackling just about anything.

For the Spirit 111’s structural engineering, there was input from Sean McMillan, his experienced in-house naval architect Lawrence Peckham, composite structures expert Gary Scott-Jenner of Ipswich firm Synolo Design, and the classification society RINA.

Work involved 30 laminated sapele ring frames over which Douglas fir planking was laid and then finished with quadruple diagonal layers of 3mm mahogany veneer. There is some local reinforcement in carbon fibre and the entire structure will underwent epoxy saturation for structural integrity, impact resistance and longevity.

A rendering of the new Spirit 111, which will be the largest wooden yacht built in the UK since the J Class Shamrock V in 1930

The owner of the Spirit 111 had an unfortunate accident with his previous yacht, a Spirit 52, when he hit a rock at eight knots while sailing in the Baltic. The yacht took in no water but a number of ring frames were cracked, so she returned to Ipswich for repairs to include‘ sistering’ or doubling up the frames in question.

Demonstrating his faith in Spirit, while visiting their offices to check progress on the 52’s repairs, the owner caught a glimpse of a previous design Sean McMillan had been amending. Not long afterwards the deal for a boat that would be more than twice the size of the Spirit 52 was on the table.

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Highly stylised furniture

Not Big on Cruising? This Intimate Sailing Ship Feels More Like a Private Yacht

Here’s what it’s really like to cruise on the classic sailing vessel sea cloud spirit ..

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On the recently launched 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit , passengers sail far off the beaten cruise path in intimate luxury.

Courtesy of Sea Cloud Cruises

Sailing along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica under full-wind power, fishing lines cast off the back to catch something to supplement the dinner menu, it was hard to believe I was on a cruise ship.

On the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit , there is no swimming pool, no casino, and no pickleball court on board. You won’t find a 24-hour snack bar serving hamburgers and hot dogs at all hours. And yes, you may have to eat some of your meals outside among the natural elements.

In return, however, you get an authentic tall-ship sailing experience with all the amenities of an intimate, sustainably focused, five-star cruise that takes you far off the well-worn tourism path. Travelers can jump off the ship’s swim deck directly into the ocean instead of into a man-made pool; ride horseback on a small family-owned ranch; wander private gardens filled with sloths; snorkel and paddleboard along the reefs of remote and uninhabited islands; or simply spend a day relaxing under the billowing sails.

It’s what Sea Cloud Cruises calls “gentle tourism.” I call it unmatched relaxation on what may be one of the first lines to successfully fill that ever-elusive category of “best cruise for non-cruisers.”

On the Sea Cloud Spirit , there’s no swimming pool, casino, or pickleball court. Instead it has 69 well-appointed cabins, a spa, a fitness center, outdoor decks, an indoor lounge, a bar and restaurant, and 44,000 square feet of canvas sails.

The Sea Cloud Spirit is the newest and third ship in the world’s only fleet of cruise ships that still sail the old-fashioned way, under more than two dozen sails that are completely raised and managed by hand. It is a small vessel, one whose appearance is more pirate ship than traditional cruise liner. And the overall vibe and experience is one of pure private yacht–style luxury.

The original ship, Sea Cloud , is a legend. Built more than 90 years ago for cereal heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post by her husband, E.F. Hutton, the ship at the time was the largest privately owned yacht in the world.

Sea Cloud II (built in 2001) and Sea Cloud Spirit were built to uphold the ambience of a private yacht and tall-ship sailing inside and out. They feature elegant cabins with ample wood details as well as modern amenities such as comfortable beds and air-conditioning.

Launched in 2021, Sea Cloud Spirit is the newest of the three—and the biggest, at 453 feet in length with 69 cabins. And while that is still quite small by most cruise-ship standards, it features a surprising number of extras without feeling overly cramped or crowded.

There’s a spa and hair salon with two treatment rooms, a relaxation area, a steam room, and a sauna. On the sundeck is a glass-walled library where you can escape the elements to read or play games without giving up the views or sailing experience. There’s also a fitness center from which you can see the water while working up a sweat.

Scattered across the lido and sun decks are a variety of lounge chairs and day beds for sunning and napping under the sails. There’s also a large indoor lounge and restaurant. At the back of the lido deck are the main bar and the outdoor dining area, where most lunches and dinners are provided.

Like the ship itself, the cabins are surprisingly spacious. All are outside cabins, ranging in size from two 140-square-foot solo cabins to 300-square-foot veranda suites. On a recent sailing earlier this month, I stayed in a 272-square-foot junior veranda suite, which had an outdoor deck as well as an indoor seating area, plus an oversize whirlpool tub and a double vanity in the spacious bathroom.

A big draw is experiencing the crew unfurling the sails manually.

Setting sail

The main event on any Sea Cloud ship, of course, is setting sail. Our first morning we went up to the sun deck to watch 22 deckhands climb into the shrouds to set and unfurl the ship’s sails while the chief officer explained the process.

Based on their hats, logo shirts, and their keen interest in the raising of the sails, several passengers clearly were sailors themselves. But you don’t have to know anything about sailing to appreciate and enjoy the magic of being powered by the wind and 44,000 square feet of canvas.

The ship doesn’t use the sails after dark for safety reasons, and the captain estimated that the Sea Cloud Spirit operates under wind power about 30 to 50 percent of any given cruise. When not sailing, the ship is powered by two diesel-electric engines that operate entirely on low-sulfur marine diesel fuel.

Sea Cloud vessels bring passengers to more remote corners of the world, such as the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica.

Photo by Luis Diego/Unsplash

The itinerary

One of the biggest bonuses of sailing with Sea Cloud Cruises is the small ships’ ability to venture where larger ships cannot go. While the itineraries vary dramatically—the ships sail everywhere from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean and beyond—the one constant is the focus on sustainable activities that keep guests away from heavily trafficked areas.

Our 11-day sailing (which starts at $9,530 for the 2025 version) took us 1,200 miles along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica , through the Panama Canal, down through Panama’s San Blas archipelago, then back to Colon and Panama City.

Our first stop was Playa Panama, a small beach in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region where some of us hopped on a coach to visit a local ranch that is hoping to preserve and showcase a more traditional way of life by opening up to small groups of tourists. We started with a few lessons in Costa Rican traditions, including tortilla making and coffee roasting, before splitting into groups for zip-lining or horseback riding. Only six of us went horseback riding with the ranch owner and his grandson, who took us on a short cattle drive followed by a leisurely gallop across the sprawling ranch.

In Golfito, Costa Rica, we visited another family working to support tourism while conserving their corner of the ecosystem: La Perica Sloth Garden. The family opened the garden just before the pandemic after discovering the sloth habitat while building trails to help their aging grandmother walk the property. There are so many sloths that you are essentially guaranteed a sighting. Indeed, we saw 10, as well as monkeys and macaws.

After Golfito, the stops became even more remote, ending in the San Blas archipelago, where we visited a small island inhabited by the Cuna people, who have traditionally shunned tourism.

The Sea Cloud Spirit may be an intimate sailing ship, but the cabins aren’t too cramped.

Life onboard

While much of the cruise is about experiencing and embracing life under the sails, whether that’s relaxing on deck, dancing after dinner, or eating under the stars, during sailings there is also a focus on learning more about the local communities, wildlife, people, and food being experienced along the way.

Onboard for our itinerary was Costa Rica and Panama expert Stephen Westin, who gave insightful lectures on the history of the Panama Canal and the Cuna people of the San Blas archipelago. We also had a guest chef, Cindi Huston from Miami, who supplemented the already generous and diverse menus with her mouthwatering concoctions that included Costa Rican coffee and cocoa-crusted skirt steak, a special coconut fish dish, and ceviche with plantain chips.

There was, of course, a lot of fresh fish on offer, including some tuna, wahoo, snapper, and mahi-mahi that crew members caught while we were sailing.

For some, meals out on deck is a plus; for others, they may prefer to eat inside on more balmy nights.

One of my favorite things about the trip was the international mix of passengers. The ships are owned by a German holding company and have traditionally catered mostly to Germans, which makes for some interesting cultural encounters. For instance, after sweltering one windless night during dinner on the lido deck, the crew the next night offered a choice of eating indoors or outdoors. It was just as hot the following evening, but only the Americans opted for the air-conditioned dining room. The Germans laughed, telling us how much they loved the heat.

The crew bent over backward to accommodate the North American minority, hosting an American-style Super Bowl party on the night of the big game, with hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and more—all in the air-conditioned lounge.