Hunt Harrier at home in Portsmouth Rhode Island

8 March 2010 Hunt Harrier

BOAT: Hull # 78- not yet named
OWNER: Anonymous
DESIGNER: C. Raymond Hunt, New Bedford, MA http://www.huntdesigns.com/
BUILDER: Hunt Yachts, Portsmouth, R.I. http://www.huntyachts.com/
LENGTH: 25 feet [7.62 meters]
HULL: E glass with divinycell foam core
YEAR: 2010
HISTORY:
 The Hunt Harrier is the quintessential ocean going day boat. The design is the modern day descendent of a long line of revolutionary offshore powerboats.
C. Raymond Hunt has credentials in the yachting world that are nothing short of legendary. Icons such as the Concordia Yawl, the Boston Whaler, and the 110 and 210 classes of planning keelboats are well known throughout the world, but the deep Vee offshore racing hulls are what led to the Harrier 25.
Originally developed for the Miami to Nassau race in the late 1950’s the “ Mopie” series of high dead rise deep vee hulls has been refined and modified to the point where the Harrier 25 is literally without comparison in today’s small boat market.
 That the boats are hand made from the finest materials by expert craftsmen right here in Newport County is perhaps least important to buyers from around the world- they are in it for the quality of design and build. For us, it means jobs.
The Hunt yachts manufacturing facility is located at the Bend Boat Basin in Portsmouth- learn more by visiting Huntdesigns.com.

Vicem in Newport

28 December 2009 Jessica Vicem

BOAT: Jessica
OWNER: Anonymous
DESIGNER: Vicem in house design http://vicemyachts.net/
BUILDERS: Vicem Yachts, Tuzla, Turkey http://vicemyachts.net/
LENGTH: 58 feet [17.6 meters]
HULL: Cold Molded Mahogany /Epoxy
YEAR: 2007
HISTORY:
The Vicem [pronounced “Veechem”] line of semi custom power yachts are among the finest available in the world today. Designed by an all female team of naval architects based in Turkey, the yachts were a big hit at the Newport International Boat Show http://www.newportboatshow.com/this past September. Guests appreciated the fine joinery, elegant layout and aura of warm comfort down below decks. Every detail reveals quality, from the galley fixtures to the teak decks and the multiple layers of mahogany veneer that make up the hull.
 Few have the budget for a boat of this sort, but the Newport based sales team is hard at work finding those who do.  Vicem recently completed construction of a new state of the art facility that will not only continue to build these awesome yachts, but others as well. Jessica, and a sister ship are spending the winter out of the water in Portsmouth, because their owners know that for reliable and expert service, the marine businesses in Newport County are among the best in the world.

Highland Fling

                                                          

10 August 2009 Highland Fling

BOAT: Highland Fling
OWNER: Anonymous
DESIGNER: Reichel-Pugh San Diego, CA  http://reichel-pugh.com/
BUILDER: Goetz Custom Technologies, Bristol, R.I.  http://goetzboats.com/
YEAR: 2009
LENGTH: 82 feet [25 meters]
HULL: Carbon composite
HISTORY:
 As if to prove that the coolest and best boats in the whole world come from Rhode Island, Highland Fling has arrived – “hot off the press” to compete in the Ida Lewis Distance Race starting Friday, 21 August 2009.
 Highland Fling is a high tech racing machine- built in Bristol by Goetz, and rigged in Portsmouth by Southern Spars. http://www.southernspars.com/southernspars/Service/Locations/RigProUSA/tabid/26767/language/en-US/Default.aspx Both companies employ local workers and family owned businesses.
 The carbon weave of Highland Fling’s hull is impregnated with resin that is seven parts clear and one part blue. The effect is scintillating- making an already racy boat look dazzling. A challenge to Tom Hill’s new 75 foot [22.8 meter] “Titan XV” has been issued and if all goes well, a battle involving “Titan XV” “Highland Fling” and George David’s 90 foot [28 meter] will play out in the waters south of Newport later this month.
 In the meantime, the keel is getting fitted at Newport Shipyard, on Washington Street. http://www.newportshipyard.com/ It is possible to see Highland Fling and several other remarkable yachts just by visiting the yard, and perhaps enjoying a meal at Belle’s Café – overlooking the water at the shipyard.

Godspeed- Hunt 52

3 August 2009 Godspeed Hunt 52

BOAT:  Godspeed
OWNERS: Bob Price; Judith Funderburk
DESIGNERS: C. Raymond Hunt and Associates New Bedford, MA http://www.huntdesigns.com/
BUILDER: Global Yacht Building, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
LENGTH: 52 feet [15.8 meters]
YEAR: 2009
HULL: Vinylester infused foam cored laminate with composite stringers
HISTORY:
 Appreciated by boating enthusiasts around the world, the preeminent designs of Raymond Hunt have become legendary. Godspeed is hull number one in a new series of large yachts by the design firm that bears Hunt’s name.
 The Hunt 52 is a departure from the hundreds of locally built sea kindly boats in the 20-30 foot range that were, and continue to be the foundation of the company. The new big boat is a response to customer demand.
 The new Hunt 52 offers classic lines and a large motor yacht feel with the seamless integration of a single level deck. A powered sunroof with opening side windows makes the salon feel spacious and airy.
 The gently curved reverse transom disguises a cleverly designed dingy garage that contains yet another Hunt designed boat.
 A trip down the Burma Road along Aquidneck Island’s west shore will lead you to the offices of Hunt Yachts. It is possible to learn about all of the Hunt Yachts and have a nice meal at the Marina Grille http://www.melvillegrille.com/at the same time.

Sputnik- Albin 28- Tiverton R.I.

6 July 2009 Sputnik

BOAT: Sputnik
OWNER: Anonymous
DESIGNER: Terry Compton, Fall River, MA
BUILDER: Albin Marine, Portsmouth, R.I. http://www.albinmarine.com/
LENGTH: 28 feet [8.5 meters]
HULL: Cored Fiberglass
 YEAR: 2009
HISTORY:
 While the history of Albin Marine goes back 110 years to its roots in Sweden, the company has distinct ties to Newport County. Founded in 1899, as a manufacturer of marine engines, Albin built its first boat in 1929. They entered the U.S. market in 1966 and established a reputation for rugged quality seaworthy boats.
Terrance Compton- a prolific designer of many production catamarans drew the lines for the Albin 28. The idea was to create a solid, seaworthy boat that could be used to fish, cruise, and comfortably accommodate the operator.
 Standish Boat Yard in Tiverton- already an industry leader in sales for Cape Dory boats- soon became the nation’s number one dealer for sales and service of Albin boats. From their location on the Sakonnet River, in Tiverton, the family owned and operated boat yard continues to be the premier destination for Albin boats.  https://www.facebook.com/standishboatyard
 Sputnik- built in 2009- is the most recent Albin boat. The experts at Standish have made many modifications, and rumor has it that some Albins might  soon be built in Portsmouth- if all goes well.

13 April 2009- Firecracker

BOAT: Firecracker
OWNER: Ted Mercier, Jamestown
DESIGNER: Robert Perry, Tulalip, WA http://www.perryboat.com/
BUILDER: Saga Marine, St. Catherine’s, Ontario http://www.sagayachts.com/main.html
LENGTH: 43 feet [13 meters]
YEAR 1997
HULL: Baltek cored Kevlar with Vinylester resin
HISTORY:
The Saga 43 represents a different school of thought in sailing yacht design. Instead of greater beam (width) with a large rig – required to drive the boat through the water- designer Robert Perry took a different tack. Drawing upon lessons learned from long distance offshore racing, Perry made the Saga 43 longer, narrower, and easier to handle than many of the designs that are manufactured today. This unconventional approach exchanges roomy aft cabin space and high labor requirements above for a smooth sailing sled that slips through the water with a minimum of effort.
The sturdy low aspect ratio rig combined with a hull of vacuum bagged Kevlar makes for one very solid boat. Long, lean, and narrow makes for good speed.
Good design and build makes for longevity. Now lets see if Ted can get away from his responsibilities at Dutch Harbor Boat Yard in Jamestown for long enough to enjoy this beautiful boat!