Quadrille
45.0' / 13.7m

Yacht Specifications

It is always a great opportunity to design a boat for an experienced owner who knows what he wants. Nick Brown and his family have owned several yachts, from the 73′ “Bolero” through Hinckleys and his last boat “Iona”, the first J-44.

The requirements for “Quadrille” were that she be lighter, a little smaller, and yet as fast as current high-performance 44-footers, but with only 5′-9″ draft, as her owner spends much time in the Chesapeake.

At first, a fully-ballasted dagger-keel was contemplated, but could not be accommodated within the required interior layout. The ultimate solution was to employ a Collins Tandem Keel with a small board in the aft foil as a “feeler” for Chesapeake mud. The board will be used only in shallow areas, and once raised would allow the skipper to get off, reducing draft by 12″.

Other special features include a carbon-fibre mast, a retractable bowsprit for projecting big asymmetrical spinnakers, and a full-roached main. All these features give “Quadrille” a very good turn of speed.

CONSTRUCTION

Eric Goetz Custom Sailboats built the boat to their usual high standards. Construction is E-glass and epoxy over a lightweight balsa core. Chainplates are composite, essentially a part of the hull, as Goetz does for Maxis and America’s Cup boats.

RIG

The main shrouds are out at the full beam, reducing mast and rigging loads. The carbon spar weighs 275 lbs (125 kg) less than an aluminum spar of equivalent stiffness.

DECK LAYOUT

The deck layout is a careful evolution of Nick Brown’s previous 44-footer. The bowsprit slides out through a composite “Bull’s-eye” built into the bow. It is on deck so as not to interfere with the Owner’s cabin forward.

INTERIOR

Down below, the arrangement is also an evolution of the Owner’s previous boat, with a double cabin aft to starboard, and a head to port. The huge cockpit locker is accessible through the head.

The galley features a microwave outboard of the 3-burner stove, and has a special locker in the freezer to hold ice-cubes.

The chart table to starboard has a very complete array of sophisticated navigation and communications equipment, a pet area of interest for the Owner.

The saloon has water and fuel tanks below the berths, with a pilot berth to port and entertainment and storage areas to starboard. The table hides the hydraulic actuator for the “feeler” dagger-board.

The Owner’s cabin is forward of the main bulkhead, and has a head en suite, with a bureau and hanging locker space to starboard.

The 50hp Yanmar engine and all ancillary equipment is below the cockpit with service access from all sides.

The interior is finished in white with doors, drawers and lockers of butternut with ash trim. Ceilings are butternut and the sole is walnut with maple splines. There are no tropical hardwoods on the boat. Handrails on deck are stainless steel.

“Quadrille” is a highly-developed combination of cruising comfort and good performance.

Quadrille Sailplan (click for .pdf)

Quadrille Composite Plan (click for .pdf)