Superyacht WinWin - Baltic Yachts' 33m balances performance, style and comfort

16 January 2015 • Written by Tim Thomas

Designing and building a sailing yacht to a number of conflicting parameters is no mean feat. However the team behind WinWin have pulled it off with aplomb. Her name is not just a statement of intent on the racecourse, but in fact derives from her project name - so chosen as she achieves win-win situations in the delicate balance between comfort and performance, weight and noise insulation, lifting keel and accommodation layout.

Wow factor

A wide, high transom, clean decks, super-sleek profile and plumb bow scream performance, but her clean, contemporary and unfussy interior suggests there is more to WinWin than just being an out-and-out racer. In addition, her highly personalised layout includes a giant owner's suite which essentially occupies the entire forward section from the forward deck saloon steps to the bow. The owner has even chosen not to put a TV in the saloon that might distract guests from the pure enjoyment of sailing.

By no means a stripped back racer, her roomy owners suite at the bow is just one feature designed to ensure comfortable cruising

Inspiration

Designed for a highly experienced and very active owner, WinWin was always destined to offer cruising ability and comfort with regatta-winning potential. "I started from zero, but with all the key players involved so the interior and deck layout were developed together," says Javier Jaudenes, the naval architect responsible for her lines. "She was drawn for reaching and downwind sailing, but is tippy enough for light winds also. A key feature was that she could be operated by four crew when cruising."

A 7.58m beam at the transom and low displacement means shes fast off the wind and in light airs and can be handled by a crew of four

Construction

An all-carbon hull, high-tech structural materials and attention to the weight of every fitting ensure WinWin is not only incredibly well built, but also incredibly light. In spite of this, a great deal of attention was paid to noise and vibration insulation. "[Noise specialists] Van Cappellen were involved from the very beginning," explains Baltic Yachts CEO Henry Hawkins.

"On WinWin we used much more cork in some of the non-structural panels where we would normally have just used foam. Cabin doors also feature drop-down seals. We employed 4,912 kilos of noise damping materials, up from an initial prediction of 4,300 kilos," Hawkins continues. In spite of this, overall displacement was nearly two tons under the original estimate of 78,958 kilos. SP Gurit also assisted in the engineering of the coachroof structure, which needed to be able to support the low coachroof allowing for an aft bulkhead that disappears at the flick of a switch, while maintaining good headroom inside.

The low coachroof maintains good headroom inside, meanwhile the aft bulkhead disappears at the flick of a switch

Exterior styling

A low profile coachroof, flat sheerline, beam carried all the way aft and a clean deck layout make WinWin a stunning yacht on the eyes. Angled helm plinths with matching helm seats add a touch of coordinated style to the look.

Angled helm plinths with matching seats just one of many design features on WinWin which mark her out as a stunning boat

Interior design

WinWin's interior layout is very much a custom design catering for the specific requirements of her owner. "We had 2.5 metres as the target headroom, which is quite tall for a yacht of this size and nature," says Mark Tucker of Design Unlimited. "We built a full-size mock-up very early on so the owner could really get comfortable with the sightlines and everything."

The entire forward section of the yacht is given to the owners quarters, including a twin-bunk pilot cabin to starboard (which doubles as an emergency guest overflow cabin), a dayhead that includes a shower, and a huge owner's suite that includes an aft saloon area, office, sleeping cabin with walkaround double bed, separate head, and a forward en suite with a huge shower. The two guest cabins are located aft of the saloon. The finish is clean and contemporary, employing a technique developed by Design Unlimited and Baltic Yachts that applies white paint to oak that is then immediately rubbed back. "The owner is into keeping detail to a minimum, keeping everything very clean," Tucker explains. There's no cut-back in luxury and comfort and as much as racing she's a really good boat for cruising - a difficult balance to achieve.

The unfussy, clean yet comfortable design of the interior came from the owners demand for a complete cruiser/racer

Outdoor living

Sunpads at the forward end of the cockpit provide a perfect spot for lazing while anchored or relaxing while sailing, with the drop-down glass bulkhead providing a seamless flow to the interior. With minimal intrusion from the deck gear, there is ample space for further lounging, seating or dining. A transom door provides a good bathing and tender boarding platform.

Sunpads at the forward end of the cockpit feel connected to the saloon via the drop-down coachroof bulkhead behind

Engineering and performance

A good blast is all that's needed to prove WinWin's win-win balance of performance and comfort. In 12 to 13 knots true wind, she sits comfortably at 11.2 knots close-hauled at an apparent wind angle of 19 degrees (35 degrees TWA), while cracking off in 16 to 18 knots of breeze brings an instant surge to over 14 knots. Off the wind flying the smaller top-down furling kite in 26 knots of wind, she canters along happily at 18.5 knots with just four people on deck. She has been designed to take a square-topped racing main and has a bolt-on bowsprit that will allow for more powerful kites, but the crew are easing their way into her and it will be a year or two before her full potential is unleashed. Under power, the retractable propulsion system drives her easily and efficiently, while retractable bow and sternthrusters ensure she is a breeze to manoeuvre in port. The engine room offers near standing headroom and plenty of space for the engineer to move around - an object lesson in how to design a technical space on a performance 33 metre sailing yacht.

Early trials show that off the wind shell hit 18 knots easily, but the crew know they havent come close to maximizing her potential yet