The Hetairos




Two-Masted Hetairos - Woodwork being Refinished

 

Our latest haulout is behind us and we now look back on the unique and fun experience of living in a boat yard and the opportunity to see some very special vessels including the sailing ship, Hetairos.  While we were at the yard, this 215 foot sailing vessel was moored at the docks, attracting lots of attention.  The owner had flown a work crew of eight from the island of Antigua in the West Indies just to refinish all of the woodwork – cap rails, side panels, and two cabins above decks, no doubt requiring several months of work.  The Hetairos is known for her participation in the Transatlantic Superyacht Regatta & Maxi Yacht Cup in 2011, a 3,000 mile crossing ending in the British Virgin Islands at Virgin Gorda.  Her passage time of less than 9 days pushed the boundary of design and innovation.  She had averaged 15.12 knots with a recorded top speed of 25.7 knots, an impressive first-place showing. 




Hetairos Under Sail

The ship made of carbon fiber was designed by naval architect Erik Wassen; he is responsible for her lines, styling, sail plan, deck plan, sail handling systems and deck gear development, as well as weight calculations - construction began in 2006 at Baltic Yachts in Finland.  

A Beautiful Interior despite the challenges of a Carbon Fiber Build

There are three unique under-deck furlers for the yacht, and even the glass for the deck-houses was specially made for the project.  Rhoades Young Design created the interior; the company had also worked on the previous Hetairos (now for sale) and was familiar with the owner’s attention to detail.  With a carbon build, the interior is so integrated that care had to be taken to match the strict weight requirements with a technical approach as well as creating an artistic beauty unique to her alone.  Everyone at the KKMI Boat Yard seemed to enjoy her company and stopped by each day to see the spit and polish in progress on this two-masted beauty.  

Boom Strapped and Ready to be Hoisted

Then one day a most unfortunate incident took place – someone accidentally activated a hydraulic system that crunched the forward carbon fiber boom, which rested on a chock.  Fiberglass covering the carbon fiber sustained a large crack and now needed to be repaired!  News of the incident spread around the yard like wild fire, I grabbed my camera to get some shots of this huge boom that’s larger than most sailboats and that was soon to be hoisted off the Hetairos.  

The Huge Boom Passing Over the Docks

Lots of Helping Hands

A crane from the KKMI boat yard reached over the docks and hooked onto the massive boom secured by straps then swung it over the docks and boardwalk into the boat yard, a technical feat in itself.  

It's Hard to Grasp the Size of that Boom!

The boom was carefully lowered onto movable padded chocks and rolled into a large work shop for repairs.  The ordeal was accomplished with great care and forethought and was an amazing process to witness.  

Cracked Fiberglass seen on the Boom

On its way to the Repair Shop

No, we never discovered who owns Hetairos, but can’t imagine they’re too happy about the unfortunate incident.  The good news is that the polished finish work looks fantastic!