SHIRAZ is designed to be an efficient motor sailor, for construction in aluminum. Named after a robust yet refined, always dependably pleasant wine, SHIRAZ will certainly live up to the attributes of her namesake. Intended for passages between the Chesapeake, Bermuda and the Caribbean, the gaff ketch SHIRAZ, having Herreshoff-like classic lines, will certainly accomplish the task in
comfort and in style. With a sheltered 'midship wheel house, one need not be offended by the elements, be they too warm or too cool.
Hull Shape
We have here a graceful single chine hull displacing 51,000 lbs on a waterline of 45.5 feet and a draft of 5.5 feet. Loaded with fuel and stores, ready for a passage, displacement will be 63,000 pounds.
The single chine hull form was chosen in order to achieve the maximum performance per dollar. How so? If designed properly, a single chine hull will have outstanding performance. With a simply built and therefore economical and easily driven hull form, one can afford to make the vessel a bit longer and realize some very real performance gains. A
rounded hull of this size could not be built for the same money, so would necessarily be smaller and therefore inherently slower.
Given the very fine hull form of the design, theoretical hull speed will be exceeded fairly easily with a true hull speed that's expected to be around 10 knots.
Just as with aesthetics, the question of chine vs. radius vs. rounded hull finally comes down to one's personal choice which, once made, cannot then be rationally argued any further. In this case, I believe the choice is an excellent one. What ultimately defines a good boat is not whether she is one type or another, but whether the boat has been well designed.
The Motor Sailing Advantage...
A Lugger or John Deere six cylinder naturally aspirated diesel, along with adequate fuel capacity, will give SHIRAZ the ability to function as a true displacement power vessel. For the ultimate in efficiency, the engine will be mated to a Sabb pitch control / reduction gear driving a Helseth Controllable Pitch Propeller. Being a thoroughbred sailing
vessel as well, SHIRAZ' range is not limited by her fuel capacity.
Making good use of the synergy of motor sailing, range will be virtually unlimited and speed will be dramatically enhanced. Rather than having a motor vessel on which the roll stabilization will ordinarily rob the boat of speed and efficiency, the sail rig will provide a very welcome improvement to both.
The Rig
As with the motor sailor Lucille, the simple traditional gaff ketch rig given to SHIRAZ has much to offer. Simplicity of materials, ruggedness, reasonableness of cost to build and maintain, these are elemental virtues.
The materials used for traditional rigging of this type are extremely basic: galvanized wire, anhydrous lanolin, friction tape, tarred nylon seine twine, latigo leather with waxed thread to sew it up. Longevity of this approach is excellent, outlasting stainless rigging several times over.
The rounded roach to the foot of the sails on SHIRAZ is taken largely from both the sloops of the Caribbean and from the Dutch sailing rigs. Of course there are many fine American examples, too. Marchaj has shown ample evidence that the loose footed sail is more efficient than one which is laced to a boom. I prefer the loose footed sails for a more basic reason: If the
sheet is located at the end of the boom, the sail does not then impose a side load on the boom, therefore the boom is permitted to act purely as a strut. With that, a boom can be a bit less heavy, so will be more easily handled.
As for the rake of the masts, this is another choice based on practicality. The rake of the masts causes the booms to lift as they are let out, and serves to keep the boom ends out of the water. Less obvious benefits are that the sails will be more easily lowered, and that the halyards may be used to lift a dinghy onto the cabin top more easily.
The Interior
A roomy owner's stateroom is located in the aft cabin along with a head and shower. The passage forward contains a laundry area with washer and dryer. The galley is very large, and has an excellent view from the doghouse windows. The saloon settee seating will easily seat eight at the table, and will double as a pair of cozy sea berths. Forward is a day head to
starb'd, and a privately enclosed tub to port. The forward cabin provides a second stateroom for guests complete with double berth. In the fo'c's'l is a true bosun's locker: the entire forepeak!
On deck, the pilot house can sleep four. Below, the vessel can sleep six, counting the settee berths. Of course that is too many for more than an occasional party...! The arrangement being quite open amidships for the sake of entertaining and also very private with regard to the two staterooms, SHIRAZ will accommodate two couples in outstanding luxury for long term cruising.
A tub. A complete laundry. Air conditioning. Plenty of ice... Scheisse, what more can one ask of the cruising life?
More Info About The 70' Shiraz Prototype Shown Here
