Offshore one designr

The looks and basic hull shape of this boat are pure nostalgia. From the sweeping sheerline to the high-deadrise, almost wine-glass sections, this boat revives the delicate shapes that we saw in the boats of the '20s. The brochure says "modern hull shape," but I don't see it. The steep garboards don't quite go hollow, but you can almost imagine them fairing into an old-fashioned keel. The deadrise angle amidships is 23 degrees-that is anything but modern when you compare it to the zero to 5 degrees of deadrise you find on modern boats. It's a pretty shape and has the advantage of allowing the cabin sole to be low in the boat, which reduces the overall freeboard and cabintrunk heights required for standing headroom.

The shapes of both the bow and stern overhangs are such that they will contribute very little to sailing length as the boat heels and, for the most part, will just be along for the ride. The transom will be beautiful with its gentle hollow.

There are reasons that you do not see these shapes on modern boats. However, I will never argue with the fact that this will be a dramatically good-looking yacht and, with a waterline length of almost 54 feet and a beam of 16.08 feet, this boat will be fast on the wind and will probably show impeccable manners.

Keel and rudder are relatively modern. The keel is a lead fin with a bulb-type tip. The large plan form fin is bolted to the hull and is supported by a framework of bronze floors running from forward of the mast to the bulkhead forward of the engine. The rudder is a Spitfire-type profile with generous balance area.

The interior is minimal for a 74-footer. There is no large dining table; I can't see how this main saloon would make a good place to sit and gam after a race. I would prefer to see a layout that provided seating for eight people to relax and a table big enough so that the entire crew could enjoy a meal together. A smaller galley would work fine. With 74 feet to work with, this should not be a problem. Of course, because this boat is built as a one-off, subsequent models could be altered to suit your individual taste.

The rig is fractional with two headsails. Two headsails are very picturesque, but one would be more efficient. On a boat as big as this, however, perhaps the trade-off works so that the size of each headsail can be reduced.

One roller-furling headsail would be a good option. Even with the individual sail areas reduced by using two headsails, the designer has drawn pedestal winches in the cockpit. The SA/D is 25.6.

Construction will be done by the Taylor Allen yard in Rockport, Maine. Scantling details include: West Systems cold-molded hull shell of cedar vacuum-bagged over laminated frames, laminated spruce deck beams, V-edged cedar decking with an overlay of Sapele plywood covered with biaxial glass and a Honduras mahogany caprail.

You have to admire the independent approach this design takes. Joel White and his client Donald Tofias have established their own criteria and have given us a spectacularly handsome yacht.

Good on ya, boys.