LA 28: Mahogany Dayseller

German neoclassical LA Yachts

The LA Yachts shipyard is located on the picturesque shore of Lake Müritz in central Germany. Despite the fact that there are several large forests around the shipyard, boats from LA Yachts are made from more noble materials. Among these dayseller LA 28.

We recently wrote about revival of the wooden tradition in yacht building, but for some reason they overlooked the boats of the LA Yachts shipyard. This is another relatively young shipyard that is engaged in the development and maintenance of wooden boat production technologies. 

LA 28 is an example of a truly modern wooden yacht - shipbuilders of the early 20th century would hardly have found any familiar technologies in it. The boat was created using the technology of cold forming of the hull. The difference from hot molding is that cold molding takes place at temperatures that are below the recrystallization point of the resin. At the beginning of the last century, such scientific delights could only be dreamed of. 

As they say in the shipyard, LA 28 is “the best of modern and traditional”. Behind the new technologies are traditional approaches and the philosophy of creating a simple but reliable day-seller.

Design and technical features of the LA 28

The boat LA 28 was created by a whole team of professionals. A significant contribution was made by Muritz Andreas Seele, who specializes in the construction of German racing dinghies. Müritz was also well acquainted with cold forming technology. 

One of the "parents" of the yacht was the designer Martin Menzner from the design studio Berckemeyer Yacht Design. The owner of the shipyard LA Yachts - Lothar Fichtner - became the ideological inspirer of the whole event. 

The base of the hull is made of strips (very thin boards) of coniferous trees, the outer layers of the yacht are made of African mahogany (haya). Mahogany provides rigidity, strength, reliability and a characteristic pleasant shade to the body. All this is held together with Sicomin resin.

Despite the wooden finish of the hull, the mast and boom are made of carbon. Interestingly, for better sailing, the shipyard also recommends using UK Sailmakers X-Drive carbon sails.

On the LA 28, at the request of the owner, both a fixed keel with a 600 kg bulb and a lifting centerboard can be installed. There are three optional lengths for the fixed keel - 1.7m, 1.8m and 1.9m. The lifting daggerboard can reduce the draft to 0.8m. 

In addition, LA 28 is equipped with a Torqeedo engine. Lothar Fichtner worked closely with Torqeedo to create the electric drive for the LA 28. As a result, the boat is equipped with a 2.5 kW motor.

Specifications

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21.06.2023