Owen Clarke designer Merfyn Owen recently joined our new blue water cruising yacht OC 188 for her pre-Christmas delivery from Falmouth to Lisbon. Built in aluminium with a lifting keel by KM Yacht Builders, Alvorada is designed for trans-ocean passages, cruising the tropics as well as high latitude adventure. When he commissioned the design her owner understood that the sailplan, deck layout, insulation, and the effort put into access and design of systems for polar expeditions was going to be just as important for his more prolonged adventures in remote warmer regions.
The shallow draft povided by the twin rudders and lifting centreboard is as essential a requirement to cross the terminal moraines of Antarctica, as it is to anchor inside the reefs of coral attols in the Pacific. The coachroof, cuddy and bimini that provides protection from the wind, rain and snow also provide shade and large areas for solar panels. Insulation protects against both cold and heat. The sailplan and deck layout is easily handled by a single person on watch; upwind downwind and wherever in the world she finds herself.
The passage to Portugal was completed at an average speed of 8.5 knots and started with a 30 knot north wester and 3.5m seas which the auohelm handled with ease at speeds between ten and twelve knots. The sailplan alternated between the J1 sail (on halyard lock), #1 reefed main, full main and Code 0 in the lighter breeze. Heel angles rarely exceeded 15 degrees as the yacht was sailed well inside the limits of her sailplan.
For more information on Alvorada contact: cruising@owenclarkedesign.com
Access to sailing video from KM Yacht Builders: Alvorada sailing trials
