The Presto design was developed by Commodore Munroe in the 1880s on the US Atlantic Coast. The boats sailed up and down the coast some distance offshore and were confronted by the frontal weather systems and the influence of the Gulf Stream found in that part of the world. The first time I came across […]

Inverted stability applies when a yacht remains upside down. It is a rare, but not unknown event and one situation where some understanding of yacht design and stability can become of crucial importance at sea. Two main scenarios lead to capsize: Loss of the keel or ballast Yacht rolled by a breaking sea and remaining […]

The sloop Nordkyn is a 13-metre (43′) round-bilge alloy yacht with a displacement of about 8600kg half-loaded in cruising trim. It features a fixed bulb keel with a draft of 2.35m (7′ 9”) and a single deep spade rudder. The alloy construction is very robust without being heavy and the deck is integral to the aluminium […]

Hull shape is the largest contributor to success or failure in yacht design. Appendages can be replaced, rigs modified, but a bad hull is usually where the buck stops. It is just as true for motor vessels. The design of the Nordkyn hull was underpinned by two key objectives: exceptional seakeeping properties and excellent light […]

The 13-metre alloy sloop Nordkyn is the outcome a personal design and build project. In short, I wanted a new ocean cruising and voyaging yacht suitable for the type of sailing illustrated by the voyage of the sloop Yarra. The project had a long gestation period and involved development far beyond what would have been […]