Meraki – Vitters delivers a ‘modern classic

MERAKI

VITTERS DELIVERS A ‘MODERN CLASSIC’ WITH ITS 50M CUTTER RIGGED KETCH, MERAKI

BRINGING HOEK DESIGN AND RHOADES YOUNG DESIGN TOGETHER WITH SAILING LEGEND CHRIS BOUZAID, MERAKI HAS IT ALL.

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF VITTERS.

For yacht design to truly succeed, collaboration is key. Dutch shipbuilder Vitters took this philosophy to the next level at the start of 2020 with the launch of its 50m sailing yacht Meraki. Built for owners who are experienced sailors and plan on taking the boat to the farthest regions as well as competitively race, the design team took in sailing professional Chris Bouzaid who advised on an optimised hull shape. Yacht designer Clay Oliver advised on the underwater appendages, while Hoek Design undertook the structural engineering, naval architecture and exterior design.

Built by Vitters to Lloyd’s LY3 in high tensile aluminium, the structural drawings were extensive. “The project began with an extensive research project comparing different hull models, beam length ratios, displacement length ratios and keel designs utilising velocity prediction programmes, computational fluid dynamics analysis and tank testing,” the shipyard put out in a press release.

The result is a hull that is one of the first of such a large yacht with a slight “tumble home”. The tumble home ensures extra righting moment at the optimum angle of heel and contributes to the overall beauty of the boat. The keel was designed with a large centre board to improve her upwind performance.

Less is more Sleek lines with a reduced freeboard and low deckhouses give the helmsman unrivalled visibility over the deck. Much like the optimised hull and deck design, the interior layout which hails from the drawing boards of Rhoades Young Design was developed with a focus on performance, reliability and comfort.

Fully customised to the owner’s preference for “contemporary classic styling”, Meraki has versatility at the core, equally adept at cruising with family and >>

Vitters’ 50m cutter rigged ketch, Meraki.

The opportunity for adrenaline-pumping performance racing comes to the fore in the extensively optimised and tested sail plan.

Meraki is fully customised to the owner’s preference for “contemporary classic styling”.

friends or competing in sailing regattas around the world. Dick Young is said to have worked closely with the owner, Hoek Design and Vitters to optimise the layout and its integration with critical technical components. These extend to a rare three-cockpit layout to give the yacht an extra layer of versatility and design flow.

The deck layout features a large centre cockpit with two steering stations. Forward of the main deckhouse lies another cockpit area for guests or crew, which is protected by a sprayhood and provides access to the crew area. An aft owner’s deckhouse and private cockpit give direct access to the owner’s cabin.

Performance racing The opportunity for adrenaline-pumping performance racing comes to the fore in the extensively optimised and tested sail plan. The sail boat unusually features a mizzen jib, as well as a mizzen staysail and gennaker. On the main mast a code 0 or gennaker can be set and for racing the cruising Yankee staysail can be changed into a blade or Genoa with the removable inner forestay. Meraki also has a vast number of additional staysails and asymmetric spinnakers all manufactured by Doyle, and the booms are all custom designed.

When the family are on board, the rig also offers numerous options for comfortable and reliable blue water cruising. A large engine room with full headroom and good accessibility of all systems gives the boat manoeuvrability in port.

MCM Newport served as owner’s representative throughout the build, managing the coming together of some of the best design minds in the sail boat industry.

i. www.vitters.com i. www.hoekdesign.com i. www.rhoadesyoung.com

MCM Newport served as owner’s representative throughout the build, managing the coming together of some of the best design minds in the sail boat industry.

SPECS

Builder Naval architect Interior designer Yacht management

Length Waterline length Beam overall Draft Displacement

Guests Crew

Vitters Shipyard Hoek Design Rhodes Young MCM Newport

49.7m 35.9 m 9.6 m 4.25 m 280 tonnes

9 guests 8 crew