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CLASSIC BOAT JUNE 2019
HAIDA
structural modifications to transfer the loads down to the
main deck and then through to the hull below. Moving
the tenders has allowed the sun deck to be extended aft
by almost four metres over the bridge deck. The sun
deck now also has an extended bar area forward of the
funnel and a new seating area aft, but the biggest
modification was the addition of a bathing pool that
replaced a small jacuzzi immediately aft of the funnel.
The owner initially hoped for a larger pool, but this
would have held about 10 tonnes of water which would
have had a significantly adverse effect on the yacht’s
stability, so he had to settle for one a third of the size.
Even then, careful consideration was given to the
structural support below it. The solution was four
support pillars in 60mm square-section steel to link
up with the hull framework in the bilges. To find direct
routes through the cabins without disrupting their
layouts, provided a particular challenge.
Two new deck tables have been fitted providing seating
for four to eight people just aft of the sky lounge, and up
to 12 on the main deck below. Modifications have been
carried out to the stern area on the main deck where
previously there was loose seating and a hydraulic
pasarelle opening through a centreline bulwark opening.
There was some undesirable flexibility in the bulwarks in
this area, to the point that the stern panama fairleads
were unusable, but now the pasarelle opening has been
filled in and some structure added to rectify it. A large
sunbed has been installed across the aft end of the deck,
and a new manual pasarelle can now be deployed to port
or starboard allowing the ensign to be flown centrally.
The biggest modification to all three of these decks is
the addition of three aft staircases: one on the centreline
between the main deck and the bridge deck (similar to
one Haida had in her earlier life) and a pair – elegantly
curving inboard at their bases – from bridge deck to sun
deck. Before, internal staircases gave the only access from
main deck to bridge deck, and two external staircases from
bridge deck to sun deck. While it is thought that Haida’s
bowsprit might be original, the two GRP masts are clearly
not. It was decided to retain them and use a vinyl wrap
to give the appearance of timber. An extraordinary
amount of work was carried out to Haida over a
relatively short time during her stay at Pendennis
Shipyard, and this could not have been done without the
devotion and hard work of a dedicated project team who
took the yacht to their hearts. The work was overseen by
joint project managers Nick Kearton and James Hatcher,
supported by a team of trade specialists. Edmiston, who
brokered the sale to the new owner, was heavily involved
in the restoration – with at least one team member on
site at all times – and will continue to be, as the yacht’s
management company in future.
After it was decided that the project would benefit
from the services of a specialist interior designer, Adam
Lay was recruited, and was then involved in every aspect
of the interior design and exterior design and styling. Daan
de Witt, Haida’s captain since 2011 (having previously
worked on near-sistership Talitha G for 10 years)
contributed invaluably. And the owner himself was hugely
involved in every stage and every detail. Several months
before he bought the yacht, he produced three iBooks
full of his ideas, and took these to all six of the potential
refit yards that he visited. His thoroughly detailed
contribution to the restoration continued throughout
Haida’s time at Pendennis; he would sometimes arrive at
meetings with ring binders full of his ideas to share with
the other attendees.
Haida spent 401 days dried out in Pendennis’s covered
dry dock. She remained there afloat for another eight
weeks after the dock was flooded up, allowing a great
deal of progress under cover while systems trials began.
Before starting sea trials, each engine was run up under
load alongside for about 12 hours. Operating these engines
is far from straightforward. They have no gearboxes and
must be started and stopped in either forward or reverse
gear. On passage, there has to be an engineer in the engine
room at all times, with three needed when manoeuvring,
one controlling each engine to orders sent from the bridge
by the original telegraph controls, and one overseeing.
After a successful programme of sea trials, Haida left
Falmouth in mid-December 2017 bound for Tenerife.
The day after she arrived there following a trouble-free
delivery voyage, the owner and his family arrived on
board ready for a Canaries Christmas cruise and a new
life enjoying this magnificent yacht.
Above left:
The bathing pool
replaced a
small jacuzzi
Right: The dining
room with the
original opening
portlights