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9 Stunning Wooden Boats That Blend Classic Design With Modern Tech

These 9 yards are still turning out mahogany boats using hand-crafted methods that started centuries ago. the difference they're using the latest engines and hull designs. call it good wood., kevin koenig, kevin koenig's most recent stories.

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There are few more classic sights in boating than a small mahogany runabout splitting the serene waters of a lake in some picturesque locale—be it northern Italy, Lake Tahoe, or a pristine stretch of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. There is something almost primal about being on board a boat built from the first material humans fashioned roughshod canoes with.

Fortunately, there are multiple yards around the world that are still building wooden boats—but with modern hulls and systems that eliminate the hassles of owning a vintage yacht. Some build classic-inspired designs from the 1920s through the 1960s, while others focus on contemporary hulls, but with wood instead of fiberglass.

These builders will tell you that their material of choice offers the softest ride available, thanks to its natural properties. They will also say that the prestige of owning one of these boats is all but unmatched in the world of boating—wooden boats have long been a favorite of kings and movie stars. When you catch a glimpse of the beautiful brightwork and gleaming mahogany from the dock, you’ll find they clearly have a point.

Here are 9 of our favorite wooden boatbuilders.

Grand Craft, Genoa City, Wisconsin

“Our boats are few and far between, so the people who look at our boats often say they resemble a piece of art,” says Patrick Gallagher, president and CEO of Grand Craft Boats. The Wisconsin builder is currently focusing on two different models, the Burnham 26 runabout (opening image) and Winchester 36 commuter (pictured above). “The common denominator among our customers is that they want something that sets them apart from their neighbors without being gaudy or ostentatious,” says Gallagher. “A wooden boat is a way to demonstrate that.”

Boesch, Kilchberg, Switzerland

Jakob Boesch built his first boat in the 1890s, and more than a century later, his family continues to merge new technologies with old-world Swiss craftsmanship. Boesch ’s 28-foot 860 has a classically styled mahogany hull with up to 11 layers of wood laid at right angles, sealed with six layers of epoxy and finished with six layers of varnish. Propulsion choices include modern options such as twin 150 kw electric engines for quiet, emissions-free operation or more conventional gas or diesel engines. The runabout’s meticulous craftsmanship disguises a beast of a machine designed for precise handling, tow sports and speed. Equipped with twin 380 hp Ilmor gas engines, the 860 can hit 48 mph.

Spirit, Ipswich, England

The 111-foot Geist , launched in 2021 by Spirit, is the largest single-masted wooden sailing yacht built in the UK since the 1930s, when the America’s Cup yacht Shamrock V ruled the seas. But Geist is much more than a giant sloop. Her eco-conscious owner mandated systems like the first-of-its-kind electric propulsion by Torqeedo—a 100 kw motor fed by BMW lithium-ion battery banks, which recharge while Geist is sailing—while her Rhoades Young interior elevates wood to its maximum potential, showing off sustainably sourced sipo mahogany, teak and walnut in a series of continuously flowing curves. Even her sails are made of recyclable materials.

HackerCraft, Queensbury, NY

Founded in 1908, HackerCraft is one of the most prominent names in the wooden-boat world. The builder does series of boats such as its Sport, Sterling, and Racer models and also takes on full-custom jobs. “The build method lends itself to customization,” says Erin Badcock, Hacker Craft’s COO. “We build on a jig so anything is possible. Our main focus is to maintain the timelessness of the boat, but at the same time we have the ability to do custom designs.” For a builder with timelessness in mind, Hacker also has an eye on the future with its fully electric 27 Sport , which has a run time of up to three hours and a 30-knot top end.

Shearline, Morehead City, NC

Shearline is one of the cluster of custom sportfish builders centered around North Carolina’s famously rough Oregon Inlet. The builder is not uncommon amongst its peers in that it only turns out one or two boats a year. But the firm stands out among sportfish builders in that it’s still building in wood. Using wood instead of fiberglass is a no brainer. “The strength of a tree is in its ability to bend with the wind,” says Chip King, Shearline’s president. “You come off a wave and wood absorbs the shock, whereas fiberglass transfers it. There’s no comparison between the two materials when you want the softest ride possible.”

StanCraft, Hayden, Idaho

From out west comes Idaho’s StanCraft . This 90-year-old brand was founded in 1933 by W. H. “Billy” Young and his son Stanley C. Young. The company has remained within the family, with new boats now built by the third generation. A fourth generation is coming up in the business as well. The builder offers a line of five models, plus full-custom jobs. The boats are notable for the variations seen in its shearlines, which can be straight, broken, or cambered. The company also prides itself on its fit and finish. Each boat, for example, receives 16 coats of varnish, buffed to a mirror shine before delivery.

GarWood Custom Boats, Brant Lake, NY

GarWood Custom Boats is headquartered in New York State’s pastoral Adirondack region, where the multitude of freshwater lakes make an ideal playground for a wooden runabout. The builder constructs its boats using richly grained mahogany, with low-profile, retro lines. The first version of the brand, launched by Garfield Arthur Wood in 1922, was famous for its 33-foot Baby Gar runabouts. The most recent ownership of the brand continued with its racing pedigree, turning out boats like the 22- and 27-foot Speedsters, which can pass the 60-mph mark, a redline that holds real weight for lovers of go-fast boats. Combine that with beautiful wood and you have a one-of-a-kind runabout.

Vandam Custom Yachts, Boyne City, Michigan

Vandam is a fully custom builder that only creates its wooden boats on commission. “We only build one of each boat,” says Jeremy Pearson, Vandam’s worldwide sales manager. “The people that come to us are usually seasoned and know what they liked in previous boats they owned—the lines, the seats, that kind of stuff. We do a lot of listening to the clients. The concept phase is a lot of fun here.” The Michigan yard has turned out a long list of very different yachts, from the Geromino commuter yacht to the pictured downeast-style vessel, with dozens of other styles in between.

Streblow, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

Streblow has been building handmade wooden boats for 73 years. Each boat is framed using white oak, with a marine plywood bottom and Philippine mahogany for the outer planking. The attention to detail seen aboard these boats has gained an almost cult-like following, with customers often purchasing consecutive Streblows. Part of this loyalty stems from Streblow’s storage facility, a 17,000-square-foot structure that the builder says can extend the lifetime of a wooden boat indefinitely.

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Motor Yachts For Sale

The Wooden Ships team is very fortunate to have many beautiful classic wooden motor yachts for sale. We aim to help you find the motor boats that best suit your needs by providing impartial, expert advice.

Browse our portfolio of traditional and classic motor yachts for sale uk, or contact us to learn more about the motor cruisers on our books, or if you wish to sell your boat.

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Enquire about Camper and Nicholson Motor Launch

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Camper and Nicholson Motor Launch

A superb Camper and Niocholson motor launch built in 1917 and totally rebuilt on Lake Como between 2007-2010. Teak hull and decks. Yanmar 110hp inboard gives 12 knots. All teak superstructure with a large covered aft cockpit. Heads compartment and small galley. Kept in immaculate condition, this is a very special and superbly presented motor launch full of history and pedigree.

• Designer: Camper and Nicholson
• Builder: Camper and Nicholson
• Location: Italy
• Length on deck: 34'5"
• Draft: 2'7"

Enquire about Fred Parker Motor Yacht

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Fred Parker Motor Yacht

A very spacious and comfortable motor yacht designed by Fred Parker and built by Nunn Bros. in 1959. Completely rebuilt between 2013-2017, major hull repairs, new deck. rebuilt interior, all new systems and new machinery. Finished to an exceptionally high level with acute attention to detail, this is an exceptionally special boat which is ready to go in every sense. Fully equipped with a long up to date inventory. 6 berths in 2 cabins including a double in the saloon. Iveco 150hp diesel new in 2017 gives 6-7 knots cruising speed. It is not often a boat can be described as truly turn key as is the case with this magnificent yacht.

• Designer: Frederick Parker
• Builder: Nunn Bros.
• Location: Scotland
• Length on deck: 42
• Beam: 13'5"
• Draft: 3'11"

Enquire about Silvers Brown Owl Motor Yacht

Silvers Brown Owl Motor Yacht

John Bain Brown Owl design, built by Silvers in 1935. One of the elegant and sea worthy designs from Bain, this was the best money could buy at the time and was planked in teak. Long present ownership, she was given a thorough professional refit in the late 1990's and has been maintained very well ever since, cruised by the family every summer around the coast of Brittany. Fitted with reliable twin Cummins diesels, these efficient and smooth engines are a wonderful asset. 6 berths in 3 separate sleeping cabins with lots of original joinery. A lovely pedigree motor yacht with many original fixtures and features. Reduced dramatically in price due to the owners health situation and the need to sell the boat quickly before she deteriorates.

• Designer: John Bain
• Builder: Silvers of Rosneath
• Location: Brittany
• Length on deck: 54'3"
• Draft: 5'1"

Enquire about Fred Parker Twin Screw Motor Yacht

Fred Parker Twin Screw Motor Yacht

Top quality twin screw motor yacht designed by Fred Parker and built by Port Hamble Ltd. All teak hull and superstructure. Twin 120hp Detroit diesels. Originally 3 cabins with 5 berths. Large ensuite double owners cabin aft, spacious deck saloon and lower galley with forward cabin and separate heads. Spacious and comfortable motor yacht made from top class materials.

• Designer: Fred Parker
• Builder: Port Hamble Ltd
• Location: Cornwall
• Length on deck: 49'6"
• Draft: 3'9"

Enquire about RNLB Barnett Class

RNLB Barnett Class

Converted Barnett Class lifeboat, originally served in Weymouth and Galway Bay over a 30 year career. Sympathetic conversion retaining many original features and fittings but with 4 comfortable berths, 2 heads and modern equipment to make handling her a little easier. Twin Gardner 6LW 72hp diesels give a very economic 7 knots cruising speed. A very smart and well maintained motor yacht with all the benefits of the lifeboat design but with a comfortable and practical modern conversion. Current undercover floating berth in Dartmouth available on long term basis subject to negotiation with owner of berthing facility.

• Designer: James Barnett
• Builder: Groves and Gutteridge
• Location: Devon
• Length on deck: 52'
• Draft: 4'6"

Enquire about Grand Banks 42

Grand Banks 42

Grand Banks 42 motor yacht built by American Marine in Singapore in 1970. In later years the Grand BAnks were built in GRP, but these earlier wooden examples were just as spacious, comfortable and capable as their later sisters. All mahogany hull with a pair of 120hp Ford Lehman diesel engines. 2 sleeping cabins with 4 berths. 2 separate heads compartments with full standing showers. A very spacious and comfortable boat, in need of some repairs to the superstructure. 2024 survey available.

• Builder: American Marine, Singapore
• Length on deck: 42'7"
• Beam: 13'7"
• Draft: 4'2"

Enquire about Converted Admiralty Motor Yacht

Converted Admiralty Motor Yacht

Built for the Admiralty as an RAF Rescue Launch but never put in service. Rebuilt by David Cockwell in 2005, new decks, superstructure and interior. Major hull repairs in 2023. 6 berths in 2 cabins. Two heads compartments with hot showers. Large deck saloon/wheelhouse. Twin Perkins 6354 145hp diesel engines, all recently serviced. One gearbox has failed and needs replacing, hence her low price.

• Designer: Admiralty
• Builder: British Power Boat Company
• Location: W. Sussex
• Length on deck: 43'8"
• Beam: 10'8"
• Draft: 3'5"

Enquire about McBryde Twin Screw Motor Yacht

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McBryde Twin Screw Motor Yacht

33' Twin engine motor yacht designed by William McBryde and launched in 1939. She had only 2 owners through until 1997. New Beta engines fitted in 2000 which have now only done 600 hours. 2019 survey led to a period of professional refi work including some new laminated timbers and all new hood end and garboard fastenings in 2021. 4 berths in a very original interior. A well cared for and loved motor yacht full of original features but with excellent modern engines.

• Designer: William McBryde
• Builder: Smith Brothers of Goole
• Location: Suffolk
• Length on deck: 33'
• Draft: 3'6"

Enquire about Rampart 48 Motor Yacht

Rampart 48 Motor Yacht

Elegant Rampart 48 motor yacht in need of some refit work. Fresh water ingress appears to have caused soft in the upper planking of the top sides and will need further investigation. Perkins P6 75hp diesels giv e8 knots cruising speed. 7 berths in 3 cabins. Aft saloon opening into the aft cockpit, an unusual design feature. Nice big yacht for sensible money.

• Designer: Horace Desty
• Builder: Rampart Boat Building Co.
• Location: Berkshire
• Length on deck: 48'
• Beam: 11'9"

Enquire about Liverpool Class RNLB

Liverpool Class RNLB

Liverpool Class lifeboat built for the RNLI in 1939. Well documented service history working out of Cloughey, Co. Down. Major professional refit between 2010 - 2015 bringing her back as close to her original condition as possible. New 56hp Ford engine fitted. Many original features and fittings. A superb example in ready to go condition.

• Designer: RNLI
• Builder: Groves and Guttridge Ltd
• Length on deck: 35'6"
• Beam: 10'2"
• Draft: 3'3"

Enquire about Ex RNLB Watson Class Lifeboat

Ex RNLB Watson Class Lifeboat

Built for the RNLI in 1938 and named RNLB Samuel and Marie Parkhouse, she was based in Salcombe from 1938 to 1962 and launched 126 times on active service. Fitted with a pair of 110hp Gardner 6LX engines taken from another lifeboat. Subtly converted with 4 berths and a heads compartment. Open helm position with aft cockpit. A fine looking vessel well known in lifeboat circles.

• Designer: Traditional
• Builder: J. Samuel White & Co. Ltd
• Length on deck: 46'
• Beam: 13'6"

Enquire about 30′ Norfolk Broads Motor Cruiser

30′ Norfolk Broads Motor Cruiser

Motor cruiser built in Norfolk in 1931 as a hire boat for the Broads. Details of the yacht have been found in the original Blakes Holidays Afloat catalogue from the period. Major professional rebuild between 2010-2015. Bukh DV36 engine. 4 single berths in aft cabin and saloon. Wheelhouse folds flat to navigate low bridges on the Broads. Well documented refit history and sensibly priced.

• Builder: Acle
• Location: Norfolk
• Length on deck: 30'
• Draft: 2'3"

Classic motor yachts for sale

Owning a beautiful classic motor yacht can provide the ultimate luxurious pleasure, allowing you to explore wherever you choose, although diesel costs and maintenance can be expensive.

However, these boats are not just about luxury; they can also be tough and capable converted fishing boats, making them perfect for longer voyages. If you are looking for a boat that combines the best of both worlds, then a classic motor yacht could be ideal.

Liveaboard boats for sale UK

There are several advantages to purchasing cabin cruisers and motor boats. One of the main bonuses is that they are easier to handle than sailing yachts, and you don’t need to worry about sails. Another benefit is speed, meaning motor yachts can travel longer distances in less time without depending on the wind. Other advantages include a shallow draft that allows motor yachts to dock in tiny bays and shallower marinas to get shore power.

You’re usually going to have the luxury of hot and cold water, a sea toilet, a double berth for overnight stays, a seating area, a main cabin and a bow thruster. Wooden Ships has access to a small number of traditional motor yachts for sale, making your dream of owning a classic boat reality.

We hope that you enjoy our selection of traditional and classic motor yachts. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about any of the large yachts for sale featured on our website or if you have a luxury yacht for sale and wish to learn more about how to sell a yacht .

Wooden Ships classic yacht brokers have an extensive database of boats for sale. With a wide range of sailing boats , classic yachts , motor yachts and small classic boats , Wooden Ships has one of the largest selections of traditional wooden boats and yachts for sale in the UK. 

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How to Sell a Yacht

September 5th 2022

How to sell a classic yacht – 10 things to expect from your broker.   Selling a classic yacht can be daunting, but working with a broker can simp…

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Own your own piece of history with an antique, classic boat from Absolute Classics. You’ll find virtually every classic brand of classic boat, including Chris-Craft, Riva, Century, Shepherd, Garwood, Hacker-Craft, Grand-Craft, Stan-Craft, and more. We want to be your partner on your classic boat quest. Our dedicated team will help you find the right boat at the right price, so you can share a piece of the history with the next generation. If you are looking for a boat, and want to get an insight of what is in our inventory, email us at: [email protected]

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The construction of modern wooden superyachts

The smell, the sound, the ambianceAs soon as you enter a shipyard that builds in wood, the differences are plain. Skilled craftsmen toil over intricate tasks, using techniques passed down through the generations. There is a deep emotion in wood construction, that contrasts with the mechanical nature of composite building.

One might expect this type of construction is limited to sail boats but there are a number of yards that specialise in building motor yachts out of wood. The complicated technology associated with modern motor yacht construction may seem at odds with building in wood, but there are yards that consider wood to be the finest material and which produce beautiful yachts for discerning owners who also appreciate its unique qualities.

From the outside, a modern wooden yacht can look very similar to a composite yacht. Many are classically styled to take advantage of the shape of the material, often with fewer curves in the hull and superstructure as wood does not offer the same freedom to develop compound curves. There are many other subtle qualities of wood that make it an ideal material for construction, such as its ability to absorb sound, which makes the hull quieter when under way. Wood construction lends itself to classic interiors where the structural timbers of the hull and superstructure can be emphasised.

Wood construction has changed to meet modern demands. It is rare to find motor yachts built with planking systems where the seams are caulked, except on tenders and other small craft. It is hard to get the fine, smooth finish that modern standards demand and often plywood sheets are used as a base or have completely replaced the traditional planking. However, plywood construction can limit the development of complex shapes because it will only bend in one direction. But cold-moulded construction, using high-tenacity glues, is much more flexible as the hull is built from thin strips of wood laid over a framework.

As we will see with the _Aguti _motor yacht, cold-moulded wood construction has been developed to a very high standard using a combination of composites and wood, which allows for a highly durable, varnished wood finish to be produced on what looks like a traditional wooden hull.

Perhaps as important nowadays, wood construction is more environmentally friendly than composite construction. The wood comes from sustainable sources, unlike composites, where the chemicals are mainly oil based, and emissions from the wood construction process are minimal compared with the styrenes used in composites.

Featured yards

Aguti, Germany

Cantiere Camuffo, Italy

Diano, Italy

Vicem, Turkey

Logos Marine, Turkey

Aguti Yachts is based on the Bodensee, an inland lake that borders Germany, Switzerland and Austria. The area has some of the strictest pollution rules in the world, which has inspired some of the yard's many innovations for its new launch, the Aguti 20m.

Years ago, mahogany was the wood of choice for quality motor yacht hulls and the yard has resurrected this style using a new construction system to produce a lightweight rigid structure that is the equal of any composite hull.

The Aguti 20m looks stunning. The mahogany hull gives the yacht a retro feel, accentuated by the swept-back deck house with its white top and contrasting dark glass. There is a slight reverse sheer to the deck, the profile is distinctive and sporty and it is thought to be the first production motor yacht to be fitted with an exhaust cleaning system that will enable it to meet the stringent emission standards due to become law in five years' time.

The lines of the hull above the water conform to tradition with a distinctive flare to the bow and a suggestion of tumblehome at the stern that is offset by a stainless steel finished rub rail extended forward from around the transom.

Below the waterline, the tank-tested hull is very much up-to-date, featuring a deep-V hull with a 17.5 degree deadrise with spray rails and a chine line that rides high at the bow.

The hull is built on a laminated wooden keel and longitudinal stringers, and the engine beds are also formed from this laminated wood. Temporary frames are used to allow the combination wood and composite hull planking to be formed with the composite bulkheads left in place to stiffen the hull structure.

The hull planking is formed from six layers, the inner and outer layers from mahogany and the central core is two layers of western red cedar. Between the layers is a laminate made of carbon fibre and epoxy resin. The hull is immensely strong and it has good sound-deadening qualities.

Internal design

The accommodation, comprising three cabins with separate bathrooms, is roomy and the saloon's unique design allows guests to maintain contact with the bridge, which forms a balcony within the space.

A unique feature of the saloon is the way in which the whole top can be hinged upwards under hydraulic power to create a wide front opening. It is strong enough to remain open at full speed is a practical solution to deck house ventilation. There is a comfortable settee and a fold-out table in the saloon creating the main dining area, and some neat features here such as wooden handrails on the stairs and a beautiful, curved wooden ladder that gives access to a large deck hatch, providing an alternative and secure route to the foredeck.

Forward from the lower saloon is the master suite, with its separate shower and heads cubicles on each side of the passageway. The bow flare of the hull narrows the area forward and this means that the bed is set rather high.

Immediately aft from the lower galley is a single cabin that could serve either as a guest or crew cabin and has an en suite shower. Alongside, steps lead down aft to the VIP cabin, where the bed is also mounted high to accommodate a tank underneath. The interior can be fully customised to suit individual owner's needs.

On the prototype, the interior has been kept low key with cream leather furniture and panelling combined with traditional warm mahogany. Externally, the detailing is superb with the decks covered in traditionally laid teak.

A hatch in the cockpit gives access to the engine compartment. Everything is easily accessible and the varnished engine beds are a reminder that among all the complex machinery this is a wooden boat at heart. The engines are a pair of 810 kW MAN diesels and these drive forward to the ZF V-drive gearboxes and then back to a conventional shaft and propeller propulsion system.

Performance

The _Aguti _20m shines on the water as well as in the harbour. The Bodensee was enjoying a summer calm during our trial and so the conditions did not put the design to the test, but there is no reason to doubt that it will not perform well in rough seas as well as calms.

Her top speed is 35 knots, respectable for a 20m sports yacht and the handling is impeccable with no apparent hidden vices.

Aguti has used advanced construction techniques and innovative thinking and has come up with a winner that will undoubtedly turn heads when it goes on show. It is a great example of how past styling and future technology can be combined to create a stunning sports yacht.

Cantiere Camuffo

The Camuffo Shipyard in Italy can trace its roots back over 500 years, which makes it one of the oldest shipyards in the world. The yard was originally based in Venice and built beautiful wooden boats that sailed the Venetian lagoon and squared rigged ships for the Napoleonic wars in the early 19th century. Ownership under the Camuffo family stretches back for 18 generations.

For the past 160 years, the yard has been located at Portogruaro, 40 miles to the east of Venice, in a quiet backwater that leads out to the sea. Since the Second World War, the type of craft built at the yard has changed from work boats, fishing boats and military craft to sports boats and then motor yachts for the leisure sector. But one thing has never changed: in a world that is now almost totally dedicated to the production of composite yachts, Camuffo still builds only in wood, producing some remarkable motor yachts capable of speeds up to 40 knots. The current building programme includes three flybridge motor yachts: a 55m, a 60m and a 65m.

Selected wood

Visiting the yard is like taking a step back in time. There is none of the nasal smell associated with composites, but rather the delicate hint of well-seasoned wood. For the solid wood sections such as the framing and the interior joinery, Camuffo buys in sawn tree trunk sections that continue their seasoning in the yard. Sapele mahogany is widely used for the interiors while Iroko and teak are used for the structures and for exterior trim.

Plywood is used for the outside skin and superstructure and for much of the interior panelling. This isn't your normal plywood however, it is made up of a series of thin, almost veneer-like layers that add strength. The exterior finish of these yachts is so good that you would be hard-pushed to think that wood was used at all.

Building a Camuffo

Building one of these motor yachts starts with the keel, which is made from thin planks laminated together using resin glues to create the required shape and length. The other longitudinals such as the engine beds are made in the same way to create a base on which the framing is built. With the framing erected and linked together with stringers, the hull is now ready for its plywood skin and the deck to be attached.

For the deck areas around the superstructure and in the cockpit, the yard reverts to traditional construction techniques, with the deck made from solid teak with tongue-and-groove joints that are then caulked in traditional fashion.

Interior design

The interiors are stunning, even though they follow traditional styling to a considerable degree. Mahogany is the feature wood and is used on all the furniture and panelling, with only the leather settees and chairs offering contrasting textures.

All of the interior wood is coated with 10 coats of varnish with sanding between each coat to bring a deep lustre. Design work is done in-house with senior Camuffo brother Marco leading the way.

'The yard employs around 10 craftsmen with a further five or so coming in as sub-contractors,' explains Giacomo Camuffo. 'Our production is running at two or three yachts each year and we find our clients discerning owners who want something special.

'So much emotion goes into the creation of our yachts and our owners appreciate this, which can be missing from modern, mass-production yachts.'

Located on the west coast of Italy in the small town of Riva Trigoso, Diano has been building wooden motor yachts in the same corrugated iron shed for the past 30 years. Launched by Marco Diano and now continued by his son, Guiseppe, the facility can handle anything up to 33 metres in length: which is some feat considering the yachts have to be launched off the open beach.

You might wonder how a yard that builds in wood can survive in today's climate, but the Diano yard not only survives but has a long waiting list of clients. With production running at two or three yachts a year, nothing seems to be rushed, and there is a great sense of dedication among the work force.

The Diano yard

From the outside, it looks like the most unpretentious yard along the Italian coastline. The single building shed lies in the shadow of the huge building halls of the Fincantieri shipyard that have been squeezed into the compact cove on the beautiful Ligurian Coast. There is no name on the outside of the Diano building shed, no harbour for protection, just a large shed on an open beach among the fishing boats.

A 30m motor yacht is nearing completion at the yard. Nine layers of one nch-thick planking are laminated to form the keel with the wood set in a special jig which holds the components while they are glued together. The mahogany comes from renewable sources in lengths up to 13 metres, and the planks are carefully scarfed at the joints. High-strength glues are used to bond the keel components into a single piece.

The mahogany hull planking is laid up over a plywood base that is supported by transverse frames set 50cm apart with intermediate frames added at the high stress areas in the bow.

The owner of this particular yacht requested a white hull and it is a tribute to the design that a fine white finish can be applied that will not crack with any movement of the hull planking.

Traditional design

Just because a yacht is built in wood does not mean that it has to have a boxy shape. Compound curves are included in all the right places and the craftsmen have developed ways of constructing these using laminated sections to create a style that would not be out of place on any modern yacht.

There may not be some of the extravagances of designs found with fibreglass, but then the style of the Diano yachts follows tradition rather than fashion.

'An owner can have whatever he likes in terms of style and interior layout and finish if we can build it in wood, it's no problem,' says Giuseppe Diano. 'We tend to have discerning clients who know exactly what they want.'

The quality of the almost completed yacht is apparent. The engine compartment housing the big diesels is surrounded by a pierced aluminium lining covering the sound proofing. Diano says that part of the appeal is the low noise levels in the yacht.

Tradition is still alive and well in Italy and this latest 30 metre is a tribute to traditional wooden motor yacht building skills.

Traditionally, the focus of much of the production at Turkish yard Vicem has been on producing wooden motor yachts for the US market, but now it has turned its attention towards Europe.

The designs are based on the New England concept of a low coachroof that runs aft into a classic superstructure shape using a semi-displacement hull with a flared bow. The result is a range of beautifully crafted designs with performance up to 30 knots.

The main timbers of the hulls, such as the keel and engine beds, are built from laminated strips, mainly mahogany. Framing is then erected on these timbers and the hull skin is laminated. Mahogany is the main wood used for laying up the cold moulded hull, constructed in several layers to achieve the required thickness.

The superstructures of the yachts are mainly made from plywood sheets combined with laminated sections where curves are required. Solid wood is used for the furniture with teak or mahogany veneers creating a traditional-looking interior. The attention to detail is obvious in the curved louvre doors which are made from solid wood, cut to achieve a 90 degree curve.

The range of wooden yachts offered by Vicem starts at 10 metres and runs up to 28 metres. The yard this year signed a contract to build the revival range of Trumpy Yachts, which are classically styled wooden motor yachts that date back to the 1930s, originally built in the US. Production of these yachts ceased 20 years ago but now the partnership means the designs will be available again, starting with a 20m motor cruiser that was last built in the 1970s and with larger yachts in the pipeline.

To cope with the planned increase in production, Vicem has recently moved into a new production facility close to its original inland shipyard. This three-storey facility covers 33,500 square metres and represents a huge investment of $20 million.

Logos Marine

Logos Marine, based in Tuzla, Turkey, is a project management group that oversees the construction of new wooden motor yachts. Its most recent launch is the 35m Seya, a large sportsfishing design developed by American Ed Fry.

This fine wooden boat was reviewed in Boat International and is one of the largest wooden motor yacht hulls built in recent times.

Wood was selected for the construction of this yacht because of its sound-absorbing qualities that help to give a quiet ride at sea. Seya is unique in having a triple engine installation that gives considerable flexibility in the way that the vessel can be operated.

'Designing and building a vessel of this size in wood was an interesting experience,' says Fry, 'and we were impressed by the quality of the workmanship carried out in Turkey. The craftsmen in Tuzla must be one of the last outposts of quality wood construction on this scale.'

The success of Seya has led to a contract for another 35m for the yard, Meya Meya, but this one will be fitted out as a motor yacht rather than a sports fisherman. It will have a more extensive superstructure and the main deck level will be maintained right to the transom. She will retain the triple engine installation.

Unusually for yachts of this size, both are made from cold-moulded mahogany, finished with a skim of composite laminate. Plywood is used extensively in the superstructures.

Far from being a material going out of fashion, Cem Tunçyürek, manager of Logos Marine, sees wood as a material for the future.

'Wood can be as durable as composites and it offers a warmth and sound-absorbing capability that is much better,' he says. 'The wood is sourced from renewable sources and in Turkey it is easy to still find the skills necessary for building large motor yachts of this size in wood.'

Originally published: December 2009.

Bugsy Gedlek and courtesy Aguti, Cantiere Camuffo

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