Owen Clarke’s latest cruising yacht design has commenced construction at KM Yacht builders’ yard in Makkum, Holland. The 18m yacht has been designed as a live aboard blue water cruiser for operation in tropical climates but also for exploring high latitudes. The client is an experienced yachtsman having previously owned a Boreal 45 and intends to circumnavigate with his new sailboat. Project 188 has also been designed such that in the future she can be sold and be commercially coded (MGN280) by any buyer looking to use her for charter.
OC 188 lead designer, Allen Clarke, at the most recent yard project meeting
The project draws on Owen Clarke’s experience as short-handed racing and cruising yacht designers and KM’s background of delivering turn key blue water expedition type yachts. 188 will be easily handled by a crew of two and with the space to comfortably accommodate a further 6 additional guests. As well as ease of handling, sailing performance and feel was a primary requirement of the owner: The boat has a lifting centreboard with a sailing draft of 3.8m and above deck a carbon mast and sailplan also optimised for short-handed sailing with two of the headsails and the downwind reaching sails flying off halyard locks.
Triple headstay blue water cruiser, OC 188.
For a yacht of this size she has an impressive volume of storage space concentrated in three areas: An aft workshop and storage for a trail bike accessible from both the interior and through a large hatch in the cockpit floor. A storage room to port adjacent and below the main salon which includes a dedicated storage space for stand-up paddle boards and other sporting equipment. The mandatory large foc’sle is appropriately sized for extended passage making.
GA including an innovative pilot house layout with deck saloon, galley and forward looking nav area.
Substantial solar arrays have been incorporated into the pilothouse roof and the hard top bimini. Access, serviceability and ease of use of all systems has been a specific requirement with careful thought being given to integrate details such as multi positions for the heavy lift carbon deck davit, topside boarding gates to ensure easier access to the deck when alongside a marina dock and the fine weather foldaway outboard helm seats all combine to create a very special yacht for exploring far-flung cruising grounds.
Transom view of ‘terrace on the sea’, with combined solar array, bimini and dinghy davits
For more information contact: cruising@owenclarkedesign.com
Or go to: 18m Blue Water Cruiser / Explorer Yacht
