Yacht feature- Ron Holland's Kestrel 106 - pace, space and grace!
by Des Ryan on 11 Mar 2012
Kestrel 106 and rainbow SW
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Port Vauban in Antibes will be the venue for the Antibes Yacht Show 12-15 April, where Ron Holland's newest contribution to the sailing world will be launched, the Kestrel 106.
When the Kestrel syndicate invited Ron Holland Design the new yacht it was to incorporate their latest design experience into a large volume ocean cruising ketch that was capable of impressive sailing performance with a small crew.
Called the 'both worlds' superyacht, they wanted a 'yacht that is comfortable and spacious, yet is easy to handle, an ocean cruiser capable of long distance voyaging or entertaining friends when day sailing around coastal waters.'
So the design seems to strike a balance between traditional sailing yachts of the past, but with the latest sailing technology. With the slogan 'pace, space and grace', both her on-deck and interior arrangements present amenities that are more related to much longer sailing yachts than Kestrel with her 94ft length on deck.
The Kestrel 106 is ketch (and can be cutter) rigged for ease of handling and has crew accommodation for four.
According to Superyacht Times, the boat is 'a superb fusion of the best aspects of motor yacht, sailing yacht and beach house, designed specifically to put the fun back into family sailing, and to open ownership of large sailing yachts to a wider audience.'
So she features such comfort items as a full beam owners cabin - in fact two double cabins. Then there is the hydraulic opening transom/swim platform, convertible cockpit with cushioned sliding benches and twin tables that can be joined when required.
There's one external steering position and one interior navigation station. There's a wet bar on deck, a deck saloon with a raised dining and seating area, some lower level seating with a games table, and the yacht can be configured so that there's an assigned captain's cabin, temporarily or permanently.
As well as all this the hull volume is some 30% greater than other yachts of this size bracket designed by Ron Holland, and, as a yacht powered by sail, her green credentials are significant.
DIMENSIONS (approximate):
Length overall including bowsprit, excluding davits: 32.4m (106ft)
Length on Deck 28.5m (94ft)
Length Water Line 21.7m (71ft)
Beam 6.7m (22ft)
Draft
(standard bulb keel - deeper keel by special order) 2.9m (9.5ft)
RIG & SAILS:
Rig Ketch rigged, furling self tacking inner jib, furling genoa on bowsprit, fully battened main & mizzen sails (delivery only sails included)
Rig options Schooner rig, Wishbone schooner rig, Cutter rig, in mast furling, rod rigging.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sailworldcruising.com/94771
