The latest Hoek-designed Truly Classic 128 was launched recently by her builders SES Yachts in Istanbul, Turkey. The completion of Linnea Aurora brings the number of TC 128s to five, adding to a unique fleet of sloop-rigged sisterships which include Atalante, Vijonara, Grace III and Halekai.
Hoek hallmarks
Commissioned by a European client, Linnea Aurora bears all the hallmarks of Hoek’s iconic Truly Classic genre with long overhangs, a sweeping sheerline, elegant timber-clad deckhouses and an excellent sailing performance. Hoek Design’s meticulous attention to hull shape, appendages and sail plan is renowned for producing rewarding sailing characteristics.
Built in aluminium by SES Yachts in Turkey, Linnea Aurora is designed largely for family sailing and will be capable of fast, comfortable trans ocean passage-making and a good performance on the race course.
Versatile accommodation
Linnea Aurora also benefits from a versatile accommodation layout with a large owner’s suite aft with its own private deckhouse-cum-navigation station. The lower saloon is also aft making an unusually large owner’s living area when cruising without guests. There are three guest cabins, two forward and one opposite the aft lower saloon. There is extensive crew accommodation for five in the forward sections of the yacht. The main deckhouse provides a sheltered dining area for 10 guests who can enjoy panoramic views.
Hoek Design is responsible for the general arrangement and interior design while Stockholm-based Daniel Östman was selected by the owner for the interior decorating.
The combination of looks, performance and accommodation, common to all TC 128s, appealed to Linnea Aurora’s owner whose first meeting with Andre Hoek was three years ago at the Monaco Yacht Show where TC 128-3 Grace III, also built by SES Yachts, was being exhibited.
‘Joining a fleet and a family’
Andre Hoek explained that his client had considered many options, but was impressed with the concept of the TC 128, the build quality, accommodation options and, importantly, the design’s impressive track record. “He will be joining a fleet and a family,” said Andre Hoek. “By chartering the TC 128-1 Atalante, the client was also able to develop a precise idea of what he wanted in the new yacht,” he added.
Several TC 128s have proved to be good long distance passage makers with Halekai and Vijonara both spending time in the Pacific, the former visiting New Zealand and Australia. Atalante has been planning similar long-distance adventures.
2.5-year build time
It was also important to the owner that the build process started as soon as possible, something SES Yachts could accommodate, as could Hoek Design, who had the basic naval architecture already in place. Build time was 2.5 years. Another benefit of the well proven TC 128 marque was that a satisfactory re-sale value could be maintained.
Regular owner visits to the SES yard in Tuzla, Istanbul ensured close client involvement in the project. It also ensured that the owner was able to inject some personal detail into the design including a number of unique paintings of Swedish lighthouses, which adorn cabin and head doors.
SES managing director Elif Yildirim, said: “The owner visited regularly and was very supportive and understanding, which made for an enjoyable project! Linnea Aurora represents a milestone for us as she’s the 90th launching since our company was founded 50 years ago. So, a multiple anniversary for SES Yachts and we could not have celebrated it better.”
The experienced Taco Zwarts worked as Owner Representative and Atalante’s skipper James Prince assisted the owner in the early stages of the project.
Latest sailing systems
Linnea Aurora is designed to take to the race course and benefits from the latest sailing systems including North Sails’ Helix ‘structured luff’ technology which not only reduces headstay sag, resulting in higher sailing angles, but also enables adjustments to sail shape.
“The ability to induce camber change depending on wind strength gives a wider range for a given sail,” said Hoek Design’s managing partner, Ruurt Meulemans. To apply the necessary luff tension in the blade or Yankee, two OYS hydraulic cylinders are located beneath the deck in the forepeak.
Linnea Aurora steps a Hall Spars carbon spar with EC6 carbon rigging. The masthead sailplan can be arranged for cruising with a yankee and staysail, the latter on a removable stay, or racing when the blade can be set using additional inner sheeting tracks. Runners take staysail loads and can also be used as checkstays for mast trim.
Carbon fibre rudder
Like other TC 128s, this boat is fitted with a carbon fibre balanced rudder blade which is not only lighter than an aluminium alternative but, as Ruurt Meulemans explained, is substantially thinner than an aluminium rudder. This helps make Linnea Aurora lighter on the helm and increases the sensation of ‘feel’ for the helmsman. “Using carbon means the rudder can be narrower with the benefits just described and helps us create a better hydrodynamic shape,” he said.
The yacht’s keel design is an ‘L’ shaped fin and bulb with lead ballast encapsulated in the aluminium structure. Her draft is considerable at 4.5m.
The yacht also has a powerful Lewmar winch package with power take offs (PTOs) from the main MAN diesel engine and both generators to ensure sufficient hydraulic flow during complex sailing manoeuvres, particularly when racing. A lithium battery package allows for night time ‘silent periods’ with no generator required and also a degree of sailing time in the same no-generator mode.
Emissions reduction
Linnea Aurora is the first TC 128 to be fitted with an engine exhaust SCR (selective catalytic reduction) unit which removes nitrogen oxides to meet the latest emissions regulations. Together with the sophisticated sailing systems, top end B&G navigation package and accommodation built by a company sub-contracted by SES Yachts, Linnea Aurora is a step ahead of her sister-ships and will be a welcome new addition to the TC 128 fleet!