Tell Tales
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SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW Turning heads in a sea of plastic
Spirit Yachts flew the flag for traditionalists at the Southampton Boat Show with the launch of its spectacular new CR50 ‘cruiser racer’. Apart from its glamorous good looks, the CR50 is notable for its use of Lignia modified timber (see page 24). It’s a sustainable solution that’s close to the heart of Spirit’s MD Nigel Stuart, who says: “Aesthetically, Lignia looks as warm, natural and smooth as teak, it is more durable, and it comes with a 50-year rot guarantee. Crucially for Spirit Yachts, Lignia is a sustainable and very low-maintenance material. The timber comes from managed forests that operate stringent replanting policies.”
Of the CR50 itself, Stuart says it’s an enlarged version of the firm’s CR46 “with a little more room in all directions”. On deck, the Spirit 50CR has a Hall Spars carbon mast and boom, as well as nitronic rod rigging, complemented by a OneSails sail wardrobe of main, jib and asymmetric. The rudder is controlled by a 42in (107cm) mahogany and stainless steel wheel, with
