Spirit of Bermuda, the 112′ (LOA) three-masted schooner built at Rockport Marine in 2006, has been confirmed as a new entry in the 2012 Newport-Bermuda Race. The yacht, used for sail-training and charters in Bermuda, cannot be rated fairly against the other modern yachts in the fleet and so will be the sole entry in the “spirit of tradition” class that has been used in many other regattas in recent years.
Spirit of Bermuda is a purpose-built sail-training vessel owned by the Bermuda Sailing Foundation and based on civilian Bermudian-type schooners built in Bermuda by blacks and whites between 1810 and 1840. The original hull shape was adapted from the Bermuda-built Royal Navy “Shamrock” class: fast dispatch/patrol vessels that ran from the Royal Naval Dockyard northwest to Halifax and southwest to Jamaica to contain the rebel colonies.
The vessel utilizes modern wood composite construction (seven layers of wood and epoxy), with carbon fiber spars, outside ballast, and up-to-date systems to ensure longevity, performance and comfort. She was designed by Langan Design Associates of Newport, Rhode Island.
For more information about the Newport-Bermuda Race, click here.
Photos of Spirit of Bermuda Enters Race, Gains a Class
