Oh My Scow!

The Lift45 © SR Structures

Fast Cruising or Competitive Racing and all points in-between: The Lift45 — The Ultimate Contemporary Option.

A Lombard Yacht Design, built by SR Structures in the UK.

Sam Pellow and Ross Hotchkiss, owners of SR Structures in the UK, have been commissioned to build the Lombard Designed LIFT45. Sam and Ross are two of the most sought-after composite boatbuilders with a wealth of experience in building, modifying and repairing racing yachts including, but not limited to, Volvo70's; Solo Ultim's; TP52's; IMOCA60's and Class40's. They have joined forces and created SR Structures - a strong, talented team of composite boatbuilders. Their new yard which is based in Lymington, Hampshire has the capabilities to build full prepreg carbon racing yachts, large scale composite structures and complex resin infused vessels.

The LIFT45 project has been under development by Lombard Yacht Design for several months on behalf of our French client who is passionate about offshore racing and fast, comfortable cruising. The design brief was for a fast and manageable yacht, suitable for reduced-crew offshore cruising, transatlantic voyages/racing, and racing in the English Channel, Atlantic and Mediterranean (participating in RORC, SNT, SNST, RMYC races).

This ultra-modern 45-foot monohull incorporates the latest designs from the Lombard studio in terms of Class40 scow bow and hull shapes. The emphasis is on finding the optimal compromise between shape stiffness and drag, and it features sophisticated forward sections (raised bow, high forward tapering), ensuring a smooth sea passage and significant comfort. The newest generation of scow hull also ensures optimal balance at all sailing angles, making the boat a pleasure to steer and requiring minimal intervention from autopilots.

In the expanding owner-driven market for high performance racer/cruisers, the Lift45 ticks all the boxes - bringing easy speeds and ease of use with asymmetric spinnakers and furling headsails and gennakers carried on a safe carbon mast with swept-back spreaders. A powerful, but safe, carbon rig and boom from Axxon Composites plus a 1.7 metre bowsprit and an asymmetric downwind sail plan provide the horsepower. Lateral water ballast tanks allow for adjusting stability and comfort while sailing. The Lift45 is effectively a Class40 with the onboard comfort of a large cruising yacht.

The Lift45 - photo © SR Structures

The first Lift45 is equipped with a low centre of gravity lifting keel. When lowered maximum draft is 3.70 meters, ensuring strong righting moment and excellent upwind performance, but when raised it permits berthing in virtually any marina with the Lift45's 1.37 meters minimum draft.

The deck layout is designed for efficient sailing with a reduced crew and this first version features twin steering stations positioned outboard for an unobstructed forward view.

The first Lift45 is being constructed using fibreglass-epoxy infusion and a foam core, with carbon reinforcements. The projected displacement is just 5800kg. The primary internal structure, integrating the keel box and mast support, is constructed in carbon fibre - dramatically reducing weight whilst ensuring maximum strength in these highly loaded areas. The highly contemporary and light-weight interior is comprised of E-Glass foam panel joinery finished in matt white with numerous detailed areas throughout made from carbon with a clear semi-gloss finish. With a forward owner's cabin; two double-berth sized aft cabins and a spacious central saloon; galley; chart table area and washroom this high-performance yacht offers truly elegant onboard comfort. Designed for efficiency in racing and comfort in cruising, the Lift45 combines a Class40-style performance with a modern superyacht-feel interior.

Boat #1 of the Lombard Lift45 design is scheduled for launch in March 2025 from the SR Structures HQ. Further orders from the same hull and deck moulds are expected as interest is high. Variations are available but not limited to:

• Construction can be in fibreglass or carbon sandwich from the existing moulds.
• The keel can be lifting or fixed.
• The water ballast system can be replaced with a heavier keel.
• The sailplan/rig can be a full-power "fat-head" mainsail with running backstays/checkstays, or a more conventional triangular mainsail with a fixed, centre-line backstay on a hydraulic ram and running checkstays for the staysail.
• The twin rudders can be either fixed under the hull or lifting.
• Steering can be twin wheel, twin tillers or single tiller.
• Two cockpit versions are available one 'crew-oriented' with the main operation post in front of the steering wheel, and another 'reduced crew' with operational controls grouped around the entryway
• The interior can be chosen — either minimal racing, or more comfortable for cruising voyages

Owner engagement is crucial and each Lift45, owner can expect full interaction with the Lombard Yacht Design and SR Structures to achieve a new yacht that is everything they wish for and is perfect for their sailing objectives.

This is an extremely exciting time for racer/cruiser and fart cruiser yacht development, and we are delighted to be working with Lombard Yacht Design on the innovative Lift45 which is based on their latest Lift V3 Class40 racing Yacht.

Lift45 Characteristics:

LOA 13.72m
Beam 4.62m
MAX/MIN Draft 3.7m / 1.37m
Optional Ballast 800l Port/STB
Maximum Displacement 7700kg
Combined Max Sail Area 290sqm