The trials demonstrated that the “superyacht” could perform well with a deeper-draft keel and a large sail plan, according to the builder.
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A 95-foot, custom-built sailing yacht named Ouzel had several days of successful sea trials recently on Penobscot Bay.
The trials demonstrated that the “superyacht” could perform well with a deeper-draft keel of 12 feet and a large sail plan of more than 4,500 square feet of sail upwind, according to Sam Temple, president of Rockport Marine, which built the boat.
"Today at the helm, feeling the rig drive the hull, and later, sitting in the upper saloon with the group of partners, I thought of the early mockups we made and the conversations about sheet leads, sight lines and systems,” said Temple.
'Short punchlist'
The midcoast yard launched the boat last November in Rockport Harbor after three years of construction.
Rockport Marine built Ouzel to the specifications of Langan Design Partners of Newport, R.I., with interior design by Mark Whiteley Design of Lymington, U.K.
Doyle Sails, headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand, with its U.S. center in Salem, Mass., provided the sails. Rhode Island firm MCM Newport led the project on behalf of Ouzel’s owners.
The owners are experienced boaters who will use Ouzel, designed to their specifications, for an extensive remote cruising itinerary.
The build uses a wood-composite construction technique, which combines an engineered blend of cold-molded wood, carbon fiber, a type of fiberglass called “E-glass” and foam coring.
The sail plan is large but deliberately simple, with a mainsail, jib, staysail and headsail, according to a news release.
“A short punch list of items to address as usual, but a resounding success on every level,” said Peter Wilson of Marine Construction Management.
A deeper-draft keel and large sail plan provide a better-performing boat and the ability to get out of harm's way fast, said the designer, Tom Degrémont of Langan Design Partners.
Founded in 1962, Rockport Marine specializes in custom wooden boat construction, restoration and design. Powered by a 60-strong crew, the yard stores and maintains a fleet of classic wooden boats and usually has several large restorations and/or new builds in progress.
