Perry Design Review: W-Class Racing Yacht

This W-Class boat by Joel White of Brooklin, Maine, is really different and was designed for the Padanaram Yacht Co. as the first of a new one-design racing class.

The W Class yacht Wild Horses.

The looks and basic hull shape of this boat are pure nostalgia. From the sweeping sheerline to the high deadrise and almost wine-glass sections, this boat revives the delicate shapes of the '20s. The deadrise angle amidships is 23 degrees, which is anything but modern when you compare it to the zero to 5 degrees of deadrise you find on today's boats. It's a pretty shape and has the advantage of allowing the cabin sole to be low in the boat, which reduces the overall freeboard and cabintrunk heights required for standing headroom.

The shapes of both the bow and stern overhangs are such that they contribute very little to sailing length as the boat heels, and, for the most part, are just along for the ride. The transom is beautiful with its gentle hollow. There are reasons that you do not see these shapes on modern boats; however, this is a dramatically good-looking yacht, and with a waterline length of almost 54 feet and a beam of 16 feet, 1 inch, this boat is fast on the wind and shows impeccable manners.

Keel and rudder are relatively modern. The keel is a lead fin with a bulb-type tip. The large planform fin is bolted to the hull and is supported by a framework of bronze floors running from forward of the mast to the bulkhead forward of the engine. The rudder is a Spitfire-type profile with generous balance area.

The interior is minimal for a 74-footer. There is no large dining table. I would prefer to see a layout that provided seating for eight people to relax and a table big enough so that the entire crew could enjoy a meal together. A smaller galley would work fine. With 74 feet to work with, this should not be a problem. Of course, because this boat is built as a one-off, subsequent models could be altered to suit your individual taste.

The rig is fractional with two headsails. Two headsails are very picturesque, but one would be more efficient. One roller-furling headsail would be a good option. Even with the individual sail areas reduced by using two headsails, the designer has drawn pedestal winches in the cockpit. The SA/D ratio is 25.6.

Construction will be done by the Taylor Allen yard in Rockport, Maine. Scantling details include: West Systems cold-molded hull shell of cedar vacuum-bagged over laminated frames, laminated spruce deck beams; V-edged cedar decking with an overlay of Sapele plywood covered with biaxial glass, and a Honduras mahogany caprail.

Wooden one-design racer boasting traditional flair.

Boat Specifications

LOA	76'4";
LWL	53'11";
Beam	16'1";
Draft	11';
Displacement	52,300 lbs.;
Ballast	25,000 lbs. (fin keel);
Sail Area	2,239 sq. ft.;
SA/D ratio	25.6;
D/L ratio	148.73;
L/B	4.75;
Auxiliary	Yanmar 170-horsepower turbo-charged diesel;
Fuel	112 gals.;
Water	120 gals.