Exclusive! Superyacht Christopher launched at Pendennis yard

7 December 2010 • Written by Ron Holland

Ron Holland is an internationally known naval architect and designer who has been designing custom cruising yachts for over three decades. Many of his designs have graced the pages of Boat International as will Christopher. Ron and his team are based in Kinsale, Ireland and have been involved in the design and construction of this project at Pendennis shipyard in the UK.

Resulting from a 30 month design and construction program, the latest from the Ron Holland Design studio, Christopher was launched December 4th from the Pendennis Superyacht yard in Falmouth, England. At 46m in length Christopher is the largest sailing yacht to be built in England for many years.

In response to the clients wish for a yacht that reflected the styling of classic yachts of the past, we incorporated a sweeping sheerline and counter stern to emphasize her traditional lines. These features, together with the decision to teak clad her superstructure has given Christopher a close connection to the magnificent sailing yachts of earlier years. These elements however, camouflage the leading edge design detail, that was driven by our client’s desire for uncompromising sailing performance.

Hanging in the Pendennis travel lift exposes this design’s refined underwater lines, sophisticated bulb keel and high aspect ratio centerboard. Her twin balanced rudders are an obvious design departure for a large cruising yacht and have been incorporated to maximise sailing performance in strong wind conditions and to allow space for a large tender to be deployed from the lazarette.

In keeping with our performance goals Christopher is the first Ron Holland design to be fully rigged with both carbon spars and carbon rigging, reducing the yachts displacement while improving her overall sail carrying ability in strong winds.

Below deck, her interior also reflects a traditional influence, however Christopher’s owners have decorated their yacht in many suprising ways. When she is completed in early Feburary, this yacht will present a wonderful combination of styling details that show the effort all involved in her creation can be proud of.

Look for Christopher off the island of St Barths in March.

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