Yachtwerft Portier: Europe’s Oldest Yard?
Few small family businesses and even fewer boatyards can claim a history dating back to the Napoleonic era. Of the many boatbuilders around the alpine lakes of Italy, Austria, Germany,… Read more »
Putting the Squeeze On — Professional BoatBuilder Issue 186, Aug/Sep 2020
Recent Posts
First Female Port Commissioner
At last November’s ballot, the constituents of Jefferson County, Washington, made history by voting into office Pam Petranek, 59, the first female port commissioner in the 95-year history of the… Read more »
Eight Bells: Duncan Lethbridge
Iconic South African boatbuilder and founder of St Francis Marine (now St Francis Catamarans) Duncan Lethbridge, 76, died during an armed robbery and assault at his home in St Francis… Read more »
The Efficiency of a Foiling Powercat
Motivated by his own boating experience and America’s Cup foiling technology, a startup builder launches the Matanzas 29, a new breed of powercat for fishing and cruising. Wherever Jan Brandt… Read more »
Piotr Zin’s New Electric Runabout
Following the lead of European builders such as SAY Yachts (see “a = F/m,” PBB No.180) venturing into high-speed electric runabouts by combining advanced carbon construction with powerful motors and… Read more »
Short Cuts 184
On October 28, 2019, the iconic naval architecture and yacht brokerage firm Sparkman & Stephens celebrated its 90th anniversary. Founded in 1929 by Drake Sparkman, James Sparkman, Jason Murray, Rod… Read more »
Schaefer Yachts Eliminates Steering Wheel
Schaefer Yachts, a Brazilian builder of 30‘–86‘ (9.1m–26m) motoryachts, recently launched a 58‘ (17.8m) model without a wheel at the main helm. Control is with a Volvo Penta joystick; propulsion… Read more »
Zephyrwerks Expands Sheaves Lineup
Artisan craftsman and knife maker Ed Louchard of Port Townsend, Washington, who also runs his Zephyrwerks block business, has expanded his product line to a variety of boat equipment. Notably… Read more »
Butterfly 46: A Yacht for 2050
The winning entry from IBEX’s 2019 Design Challenge looks to a future of scant leisure time, responsible resource consumption, and increased systems connectivity. Close your eyes and think back…way back…. Read more »
Pakayak Bluefin: Portability in Six Parts
The Pakayak Bluefin is a 14‘ (4.3m) six-part nesting kayak made of rotomolded polyethylene with silicone gaskets and 300-psi clamps that its maker says can be assembled by anyone in… Read more »
