Baltic 147
This 45-meter (147-foot)
sailing yacht is one of Baltic Yachts' largest yachts. This light-displacement,
all carbon-fiber sloop was built with the outstanding knowledge
of naval architecture by the San Diego team of Reichel/Pugh, internationally
known for high performance racing and cruising designs. The deck
design, interior layout, and overall styling was between the cooperation
of Reichel/Pugh and the Baltic's in-house team, R&J Design.
The project was initiated in late 1999, when the client asked
Baltic for a large sailing yacht, to be designed and engineered
specifically for cruising, but with the appearance and ultra-high
performance of a modern light-displacement racer. After preliminary
studies, the design team developed a basic hull type and drew
preliminary layouts. Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) studies
were then performed for several versions of the design - with
variable displacement, beam, and prismatic coefficient - to fine-tune
the hull form. VPP tests were also run to design the ideal sloop
rig, as well as assess water ballasting, canting or lifting keels,
and maximum draft, all to optimize stability and performance.
Precise weight calculations were performed at each stage to assure
that the design met the ideal numbers the project demanded. The
hull had a near-plumb bow, graceful reverse transom, and low freeboards.
It was 45 meters overall, with a design waterline of 37.7 meters,
and a maximum beam of 8.6 meters; maximum draft with the lifting
keel fully down was 6.5 meters. The sailplan, set on a tall carbon-fiber
mast with swept-back spreaders, had conventional slab reefing
combined with a special main boom enabling sail storage on top/in
the boom, and non-overlapping headsails. Displacement was 105,000
kg, of which 48,000 kg are in the ballast torpedo on the keel
fin (water ballast was deemed unnecessary).
In order to minimize the displacement, Baltic Yachts used the
most advanced construction techniques and materials available.
Hull and deck were laminated of high-temperature cured, intermediate
modulus pre-preg carbon with mostly Nomex honeycomb coring. Interior
bulkheads and paneling were of the same construction, with thin
cosmetic wood veneers on all visible surfaces. Fittings and many
other details are also laid up in the pre-preg carbon. The keel
fin, with a very short cord to minimize wetted surface, was machined
from a high-strength stainless steel. The yacht was also equipped
with a unique anchoring system, which launched the anchor through
the hull (see small photos).
The deckhouse was low and sleek; the deck layout is efficient,
with custom made gear and winches. Initial plans called for some
emphasis on making record-breaking passages, but that would have
required winches and deck gear that operate manually (for record
eligibility) and electro-hydraulically (for effortless cruising).
As this duplication would have added undesirable weight and complexity,
the client abandoned the record-breaking options. The main halyard,
mainsheet, jib and staysail sheets now had hydraulic winches;
the asymmetric spinnaker had coaming mounted manual winches, which
could be used as a backup for the hydraulic winches should the
system break down.
The interior designed by R&J Design and Design Unlimited featured
a large midship saloon, a spacious owner’s suite and galley
aft, and two large guest cabins forward. In addition to her 700-hp
main engine, the yacht was equipped with a diesel generator, air-conditioning,
water maker, and more amenities, giving her full cruising comfort
for a self-supporting capability. This high-tech, high-performance
sloop is the third project that Reichel/Pugh has designed in conjunction
with Baltic Yachts. R&J Design has cooperated previously with
Baltic Yachts for more than a decade, designing and styling many
of the projects since our early days.
This yacht was delivered in 2003.
