Wisp 39: A Modern American Classic

Classics in a new wrapper

The first renderings of the new boat appeared online in early 2024. Then Stephens Waring Design showed its new project called Wisp. The design studio put the so-called Spirit-of-Tradition concept at the forefront. This concept is best described by the phrase "boats in the spirit of old traditions." 

Initial concepts. Source: stephenswaring.com

As the company itself states, Spirit-of-Tradition is rather an approach to yacht design. "Spirit of Tradition" is not only about making a boat in the style of sailboats of the golden age of yachting. Spirit-of-Tradition is, first of all, about the careful implementation of modern technologies with a classic design. 

Source: stephenswaring.com

To successfully implement a project like Wisp, it is not enough to simply design according to the patterns of the masters of the early and mid-20th century. To most effectively use Spirit-of-Tradition when building a yacht, it is necessary to follow the following set of rules:

• Any yacht built before 1975 can be considered “classic” or “vintage”.
• A yacht can be built from any material or combination of materials, in any way, by any builder.
• The design should use some key aesthetic details and hull shapes inspired by the architecture of classic and vintage yachts or workboats.
• The vessel must be appreciated as an evolution of a tangible 'classic' style.
• Modern sails, rigging, running rigging and spars are encouraged but not required.
• Modern sailing and deck equipment is encouraged but not required.

According to Stephens Waring Design, this approach ensures that the yacht is not just another “classic” yacht, but also that it is evolving its design ideas. A good example of the Spirit-of-Tradition is Wisp.

The appearance of the Wisp 39

According to the press release, Wisp was inspired by mid-20th century cruising and racing yachts. Wisp borrows some features, such as the hull lines and cockpit, from yachts of an earlier era.

Source: stephenswaring.com

The cockpit is located behind a small bulwark. In the center of the cockpit is a small folding table, and on either side of it are comfortable benches with bright red cushions. There is a similar bench behind the wheel. Directly in front of the wheel are the winches and chart plotter.

Source: stephenswaring.com

On the roof of the cabin there is another winch for controlling the sails. The front part of the cabin is protected by a full-fledged sprayhood. Among the interesting features of the Wisp 39 deck, it is worth highlighting the control of the mainsheet. It is carried out using a sophisticated underdeck system and a hydraulic cylinder, which is driven by an automatic installation. All winches on board the Wisp are electric. 

Interior Wisp 39

The yacht's saloon is small but functional. On the left side there is a small galley, and a little further, on both sides, there are sofas. A modest combined bathroom with everything you need can be found to the right of the entrance to the saloon. In the center of the saloon you can find a table through which the base of the mast passes. In the bow there is a large double bed.

Source: stephenswaring.com

The Wisp 39 is positioned as a daysailer. The cabin can easily accommodate up to four people, but it is unlikely that you will be able to spend more than one or two nights on board. Among the advantages of the interior, I would like to highlight the abundant use of natural wood.

Construction of Wisp 39

Another interesting feature of the daysailer was its construction. The boat was built in a record time for such a project – only about 10 months. Such speed of work was possible due to the use of the latest technologies. Thus, the Wisp’s deck is built from plywood with a foam core. Part of the hull was molded from fiberglass. As explained at the Artisan Boatworks shipyard, which built Wisp, creating the boat was like playing with a construction set.

Source: stephenswaring.com

However, this assembly has nothing to do with children's fun. Wisp itself is a rather complex project, which combines not only the use of different materials, but also modern technologies for sail, engine and navigation control.

On August 5, 2024, Wisp was finally launched in Rockport, Maine. For the shipyard that built it, Artisan Boatworks, this was the most challenging project yet. However, thanks to the coordinated work of designers and architects, the construction went smoothly.

Specifications

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15.10.2024