Niebla

Niebla was designed in-house for a client who currently owns a traditional cruising yacht but wanted higher performance from his new yacht. She is a modern view of a traditional long-keeled yacht, and the influence of the many racing boats Fairlie have restored can be seen in her lines.

Hull Model of Niebla

Niebla is cold-moulded to give the aesthetics and feel of a wooden boat without the heavy maintenance demands. The frames were laminated and erected on a jig; her hull was completed upside down before being righted to allow deck construction and interior fit-out.

Laminated frames, beam shelf, counter timber, knee and wood keel

With the strip planking complete. An initial fairing (of which very little was required) took place and the veneer diagonals were applied.

After the veneer diagonals were laid, a skin of glass fibre (for protection rather than strength) was laid on top. Niebla was moved out of the shed on April the 6th 2004 so she could be turned over.

The following day she was turned over.

Niebla's lead keel was then attached and work began erecting scaffolding to enable easy access to the boat. The hull topsides were  faired and the shear line cut, prior to beginning of deck construction. To save time, deck structures and interior joinery are made away from the hull.

The Deck was laid and the skylights and hatches positioned.

Then came the interior joinery and fit-out. The photos below show the main engine, a saloon sideboard and part of the galley structure. The interior furniture and panelling of the boat are in carefully selected French walnut.

The photo below shows the deckhouse during varnishing. Behind it are some of the galley panels, also during varnishing.

With the covering boards in place, the bulwarks were fitted.

A custom sailing and rowing dinghy, designed at Fairlie Restorations, was built for Niebla by John Perry in Portsmouth. The photo below shows the dinghy during construction of the gunwhales. She was rigged as a dipping lug. 

Niebla was completed and launched in the Spring of 2005.

For Launching, Sailing and Interior Photos please click on the links at the top of the page.

Specifications:

Designer:

Builder:

Year:

Type:

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Paul Spooner

Fairlie Restorations Ltd., Port Hamble

2003

Traditional fast cruiser

59 feet (17.98m)

41 feet (12.5m)

12.5 feet (3.8m)

8.1 feet (2.5m)

1500 sq. ft. (141 sq. m) upwind (cutter rig)

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