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Displaying items by tag: Luxury Expedition Yacht

#LuxuryExpeditionYacht – Seawolf, a 58m five-star luxury adventure expedition superyacht, once known as the hardest working ocean-going tug in the world called to Cork City quays this morning, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 850 tonnes luxury vessel converted from the tug Smit Clyde launched in the Netherlands in 1957 had sailed overnight from Glengariff, the attractive anchorage that is also drawing a rising number of cruiseship callers.

During her days as Smit Clyde the vessel's global towage career proved her worth through a combination of strength and endurance that would gain her the respect and admiration of mariners worldwide.

A notable long-distance tow was that of simultaneous tow of two United States Navy aircraft carriers from Boston to Japan in 1968.

Due to her size, Seawolf which has three decks of luxurious facilities having been completely redesigned and rebuilt in 2002 docked along North Custom Quay rather than the adjacent Cork City Marina, from where the 38m motoryacht Katrion paid a call earlier in the summer.

Seawolf which had an overhaul in 2009 has accommodation for 12 guests that consists of a master VIP double, 6 staterooms, double and single twins. This is four more guests than Katrion which for the last month has remained in Dublin Port berthed at the Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club Marina though she is understood to be departing tomorrow.

As to be expected of an adventure ship, she carries an array of tender craft and leisure toys to choose between. There are kayaks, a 29ft Hereschoff sailboat, a pair of Optima sailboats, wind surfers, adult and children's wake board & water skis, scuba equipment. Plus should anyone fancy trying out some sports fishing tackle that's included.

She has a speed of 12 knots and this is delivered from a JK Smit-Man engine and generators (2 x Scania 220kw and a single Scania 260kw). A 12,000 nautical mile range is achieved by consuming 22,000 litres of fuel.

Also sharing North Custom Quay is appropriately the tug Celtic Isle. The 31m Irish-flagged 400 tonnes vessel built in Japan is operated by the Cork based Mainport Group.

Published in Superyachts

The Half Ton Class was created by the Offshore Racing Council for boats within the racing band not exceeding 22'-0". The ORC decided that the rule should "....permit the development of seaworthy offshore racing yachts...The Council will endeavour to protect the majority of the existing IOR fleet from rapid obsolescence caused by ....developments which produce increased performance without corresponding changes in ratings..."

When first introduced the IOR rule was perfectly adequate for rating boats in existence at that time. However yacht designers naturally examined the rule to seize upon any advantage they could find, the most noticeable of which has been a reduction in displacement and a return to fractional rigs.

After 1993, when the IOR Mk.III rule reached it termination due to lack of people building new boats, the rule was replaced by the CHS (Channel) Handicap system which in turn developed into the IRC system now used.

The IRC handicap system operates by a secret formula which tries to develop boats which are 'Cruising type' of relatively heavy boats with good internal accommodation. It tends to penalise boats with excessive stability or excessive sail area.

Competitions

The most significant events for the Half Ton Class has been the annual Half Ton Cup which was sailed under the IOR rules until 1993. More recently this has been replaced with the Half Ton Classics Cup. The venue of the event moved from continent to continent with over-representation on French or British ports. In later years the event is held biennially. Initially, it was proposed to hold events in Ireland, Britain and France by rotation. However, it was the Belgians who took the ball and ran with it. The Class is now managed from Belgium. 

At A Glance – Half Ton Classics Cup Winners

  • 2017 – Kinsale – Swuzzlebubble – Phil Plumtree – Farr 1977
  • 2016 – Falmouth – Swuzzlebubble – Greg Peck – Farr 1977
  • 2015 – Nieuwport – Checkmate XV – David Cullen – Humphreys 1985
  • 2014 – St Quay Portrieux – Swuzzlebubble – Peter Morton – Farr 1977
  • 2013 – Boulogne – Checkmate XV – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1985
  • 2011 – Cowes – Chimp – Michael Kershaw – Berret 1978
  • 2009 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978
  • 2007 – Dun Laoghaire – Henri-Lloyd Harmony – Nigel Biggs – Humphreys 1980~
  • 2005 – Dinard – Gingko – Patrick Lobrichon – Mauric 1968
  • 2003 – Nieuwpoort – Général Tapioca – Philippe Pilate – Berret 1978

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