EDAM – Here’s heart-warming news for those who fear the end of high-seas, high-quality sailing yachts is nigh. Dutch naval architect studio Hoek Design launched another 40m (128ft) Truly Classic, its fifth customized classic yacht and the second built by the SES superyacht yard in Tuzla, outside of Istanbul.
Andre Hoek said his client had considered many options but was impressed with the TC-128’s concept, build quality, accommodation options and, importantly, “the design’s impressive track record. He will join a fleet and a family.” After chartering the TC-128 Atalante, “the client was also able to develop a precise idea of what he wanted in the new yacht,” he added. Several TC 128s proved good long-distance passage makers, with Halekai and Vijonara spending time in the Pacific. The name of the latest Truly Classic 128 is Linnea Aurora.
Hoek Design’s Truly Classics –the company has built 25+ to date, ranging from 51ft. to 143ft (51.6m to 43.6m) – offer an opportunity to own a semi-custom sailing yacht. In response to a weakening of sales of +25ft (7.6m) sailboats in the US in the past decade (see IBI News, June 17), Hoek Design Managing Partner Ruurt Meulemans says the situation is less bleak in Europe.
“We see people more easily stepping into larger sailing yachts when it’s a proven concept like the Truly Classics. And when they do, they still can customize the interior and exterior. The reason is that they don’t want to make too many decisions.”
For the owner of the Linnea Aurora, a 2.5-year build time was crucial, a demand SES Yachts and Hoek Design accommodated. The latter already had the basic naval architecture in place. A healthy resale value benefitted the sale of Linnea Aurora. Regular owner visits to SES ensured close client involvement in the project and allowed the owner to inject some personal detail into the design.
“The owner visited us regularly,” says SES Managing Director Elif Yildirim. “That made for an enjoyable project!” Linnea Aurora is a milestone for this yard: it is the 90th launch since its founding 50 years ago.
Hoek Brokerage was formed in 1998 as a service for owners looking to sell or buy a Hoek Design yacht. Over the years, it achieved international renown in the niche market of high-seas sailing yachts from the boards of Hoek Design Naval Architects. Combining the elegance of the 1930s with modern underwater hulls, Truly Classics are built in semi-series. The idea behind the Truly Classic concept is that clients can base their new yacht on an existing, proven hull design, where most of the design decisions have already been made.
Along with the revival of the America’s Cup—an initiative Hoek Design has enthusiastically joined—Truly Classics breathes the elegance of the towering 1930s AC racers with modern underwater hull configurations.
Hoek Design has drawn three of the current J-class yachts. The revival of J-class yachts, initially designed for America’s Cup racing in the 1930s, received a shot in the arm with the acceptance of aluminum as a hull material. Linnea Aurora will benefit from the latest sailing systems, including North Sails’ Helix ‘structured luff’ technology that increases sailing angles and makes sail shape adjustments possible. “The ability to induce camber change depending on wind strength gives a wider range for a given sail,” says Meulemans.
Linnea Aurora has a sail plan for racing and cruising, a carbon rig, and a carbon fiber balanced rudder blade that is lighter and thinner than an aluminum alternative. The keel design is an ‘L’ shaped fin and bulb with lead ballast. It has a draft of 4.5m. (14.8ft.). She is the first TC 128 fitted with an engine exhaust SCR (selective catalytic reduction) unit, which removes nitrogen oxides to meet the latest emissions regulations.
With the sophisticated sailing systems, top-end B&G navigation package and accommodation built by a company subcontracted by SES Yachts, Linnea Aurora is a step ahead of her sisterships and a welcome addition to the TC-128 fleet.
