Since the earliest days of civilization, wood has been the primary material for boatbuilding. From the reed boats of ancient Egypt to the advanced sailing ships of the Age of Exploration, wood served as the backbone of naval architecture, shaping history and connecting cultures across vast oceans. Over centuries, master builders perfected wooden boat construction, creating vessels of beauty, strength, and remarkable seaworthiness. However, as technology progressed, wood lost its dominance to materials like steel, fiberglass and aluminium, chosen for their cost-effectiveness and efficiency in mass production. Yet, I noticed that in recent years, wood has returned to the mainstream of sailing yacht construction, blending the advantages of traditional craftsmanship with the latest advancements in engineering and materials.
Jax - Brooklyn boatyard
This renaissance of wood as a boatbuilding material has produced a new class of vessels often described as “modern classics”. Designed and built by visionary teams, these wooden yachts embody a spirit of tradition while harnessing advanced technologies to meet modern performance demands. Following more closer the topic I noticed that designers like German Frers, Botin and Partners, Thomas Tison, Stephens Waring YD, Jim Taylor, and Giovanni Ceccarelli currently are among the leaders of this resurgence. Alongside renowned boatyards like Lyman-Morse, Brooklin Boatyard, Spirit Yachts, La Yacht, Jan Brügge, and Cantiere Navale De Cesari, they are proving that wood has not only aesthetic appeal but also the structural capabilities for high-performance sailing yachts.
The Evolution of Wood in Modern Yacht Construction
The return of wood as a favoured material in yacht construction is largely due to breakthroughs in cold-moulded construction combined with composite reinforcements. Traditional wooden boats were typically built using plank-on-frame methods, where each plank was meticulously shaped and fastened to a supporting frame. This method, while beautiful, is labour-intensive and susceptible to water ingress, rot, and weight limitations. Cold-moulded construction, however, has changed the game by allowing builders to layer thin veneers of wood in alternating directions, which are then bonded together to form a single, unified hull. This construction method offers a level of structural strength that rivals modern composite materials, providing both durability and a lightness suited to high-performance sailing and was outmatched through time only by composite materials such as carbon or Kevlar and epoxy.
Cold-moulded hull construction - Photo by Alison Langley
Gougeon Brothers, with their development of the WEST System (Wood Epoxy Saturation Technique), were instrumental in modernizing wooden boatbuilding. By using epoxy as both a sealant and adhesive, they demonstrated that wood could be transformed into a high-performance material, resistant to water damage and rot. WEST System epoxies enable wooden boats to withstand the harsh marine environment while reducing the need for constant maintenance. This advancement has allowed modern wooden yachts to endure like composite boats while retaining the unique aesthetic and responsive handling of wood.
Today, builders often enhance cold-moulded wooden hulls with carbon composite reinforcements in high-stress areas, such as the keel, and shrouds attachments. These reinforcements further increase strength without compromising weight, making wooden boats not only competitive in performance but also exceptionally robust. In combination, cold-moulded wood and carbon composites deliver a unique blend of strength, lightness, and resilience, enabling wooden yachts to excel in races and long-distance cruising.
Leading Designers Redefining Wooden Yachts
As mentioned earlier, several yacht designers have embraced this resurgence of wood, creating a new era of wooden sailing yachts that bridge tradition and modern performance. Each designer’s unique approach has contributed to the wooden yacht renaissance, bringing fresh perspectives to a time-honoured material.
Foggy - Brooklyn Boatyard
German Frers - and now his son, German “Mani” Frers, continue to redefine what is possible in yacht design, blending traditional wooden construction with modern engineering. Their portfolio showcases an impressive range of projects that honour the spirit of traditional boatbuilding while pushing the boundaries of what a wooden yacht can be in terms of performance, style, and innovation. One of the most significant contributions from Frers Yacht Design to the modern wooden boatbuilding revival is their celebrated yacht, Foggy. Built in collaboration with Brooklin boatyard, Foggy is a masterpiece that exemplifies how wooden construction, when paired with cutting-edge design and technology, can produce a yacht that is both visually captivating and a high-performance sailing machine.
Botin and Partners - renowned for their expertise in racing yacht design, Botin and Partners have expanded into wooden yacht design, combining high-performance engineering with the timeless beauty of wood. Their wooden yachts, such as the Brooklin Boatyard-built “Outlier” or “Jax”, employ minimalist aesthetics and clean lines. These designs are optimized for aerodynamics and speed, leveraging the natural responsiveness of wood in cold-moulded structures combined with foam and carbon that offer an edge on the racecourse.
Thomas Tison - known for his mastery in blending modern materials with traditional aesthetics, Thomas Tison’s recent wooden yacht projects, including L’ete and Elida showcase his commitment to creating vessels that not only perform but inspire. His Exoskin method of building combines cold-moulded wooden hulls that are reinforced with carbon, enhancing performance while maintaining the soul of a timeless classic yacht.
Stephens Waring Yacht Desing - celebrated for their seamless integration of beauty and performance. With this approach they helped pioneer the concept of Spirit of Tradition, that blends the best of classic yacht designs with the latest in materials and technology. Their designs employ traditional lines and aesthetics that emphasize natural wood grains. Bob Stephens and Paul Waring’s approach focuses on maximizing wood’s inherent qualities, such as its flexibility and energy absorption, creating boats that are elegant, distinctive, and fun to use.
12m Day Sailer - Stephens Waring
Jim Taylor - with a background in efficiency and hull design, Jim Taylor’s work showcases the versatility of wooden yachts. His wooden boats, either designed in the Spirit of Tradition or for racing, incorporate cold-moulded wood construction often combined with composites, creating yachts that can compete alongside the latest designs while maintaining a classic wooden charm.
Giovanni Ceccarelli - as a second generation of yacht designer Ceccarelli’s work is defined by a dedication to craftsmanship and high-quality materials. His designs, often constructed in Italy’s traditional wooden boatyards like Cantiere Navale De Cesari, reflect a commitment to blending artisanal woodwork with cutting-edge structural integrity, making them functional works of art on the water.
Boatyards Keeping Wooden Yacht building Alive
The craftsmanship of the boatyards building these yachts is equally crucial to this revival. Lyman-Morse, Brooklin Boatyard, La Yacht, Spirit Yachts, Jan Brügge, and Cantiere Navale De Cesari are carrying forward the legacy of wooden boat construction, incorporating advanced materials and techniques to produce some of the finest wooden yachts today.
Lyman-Morse - has become a vital force in this resurgence, producing custom wooden yachts that capture the essence of a “modern classic” while leveraging materials and techniques that push the boundaries of performance and durability. Their approach to boatbuilding emphasizes craftsmanship and respect for traditional materials, yet with a keen eye for incorporating innovations in design and structural integrity. Whether working with wood, composite, or hybrid construction, Lyman-Morse’s commitment to quality and performance remains steadfast, helping define a new era of wooden boatbuilding.
Brooklin Boatyard - located in Maine, Brooklin Boatyard is a leader in custom wooden yacht construction. They have built a range of exceptional wooden yachts, including the latest Botin-designed Jax, which combines cold-moulded construction with carbon reinforcement for a performance edge. Their other projects such as Equipoise, Outlier, Rascal or Equipoise showcase the high level of precision and beauty that can be achieved with modern wooden boatbuilding.
Geist - Spirit Yachts
Spirit Yachts - known for their dedication to sustainable wooden yacht construction, Spirit Yachts of England combines cutting-edge engineering with the elegance of traditional woodwork. This yachts are crafted with a focus on performance and sustainability, often featuring carbon-reinforced areas and onboard energy-efficient systems. Famous for their appearance in 007 movies their yacht represent the true soul of the Spirit of Tradition.
La Yacht - based in Germany and specializes in blending traditional techniques with the latest advancements, as seen in their projects like the La 28. Built from cold-moulded mahogany, the La 28 is a modern take on a classic trailerable yacht, capturing the warmth of wood with the practicality of modern daysailer. Its compact size and modern design make it a perfect example of how traditional materials can be adapted to meet the needs of today’s sailors.
Jan Brügge Bootsbau – also located in Germany, bring a Scandinavian-inspired minimalism to their wooden yachts, focusing on lightness, efficiency, and clean design. Builders of Thomas Tison-designed yacht Elida, that combines modern performance with a classic aesthetic. Built in cold-moulded construction with foam carbon composite deck covered with teak, allows her to handle a wide range of conditions with grace and speed.
Cantiere Navale De Cesari - situated in Italy, this family-run yard has been building wooden yachts for over 50 years. De Cesari’s approach emphasizes artisanal craftsmanship, producing yachts with a unique Italian flair that blend traditional construction with epoxy lamination and composite reinforcements. Lulunikka is one of theirs latest projects. This Ceccarelli-designed yacht exemplifies the Italian craftsmanship, is built for performance and style, capturing the spirit of Italian wooden yacht design.
Elida - Photo by Pepe Hartmann
The return of wood to yacht design embodies the concept of “modern classics” - vessels that retain the spirit of traditional craftsmanship while embracing modern advancements. Today’s wooden yachts are more than just beautiful; they are high-performing sailing machines capable of competing at the highest levels. For those seeking the elegance of a bygone era without sacrificing performance, modern wooden yachts offer a perfect blend of the past and present.
In the hands of skilled designers and boatbuilders, wood has found a new place in the world of high-performance sailing yachts, proving that the allure of “timeless beauty” and the “spirit of tradition” are as relevant today as they were centuries ago.
R.M.
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