Reichel/Pugh has collaborated with Baltic Yachts, Nauta Design and MCM project management to produce one of the most remarkable state-of-the-art, all carbon superyachts ever launched. My Song is not only the latest high performance, genuine multi-role super sailing yacht to be launched by Baltic Yachts, but she also benefits from a plethora of new ideas taking the cruiser/racer genre to a new level. She oozes innovation.
With naval architecture and engineering by San Diego-based Reichel/Pugh, stunning interior, exterior and conceptual design by Nauta Design and project management by Nigel Ingram of MCM, My Song was launched on time and completed sailing trials successfully in Finland before heading for the Mediterranean to debut at the Les Voiles de Saint Tropez regatta.
Read about the technical side in the latest Seahorse Magazine article as RP Designer, Naval Architect and Structural Engineer David Oliver writes about how he got his first grey hairs.
Planing speed of almost 30 knots
Based on a stiff, lightweight carbon/Corecell composite hull with Nomex cored bulkheads throughout, Baltic 130 My Song was built in a split hull mould enabling more accurate construction, easier access and, in turn, a faster build-time. Her plumb stem and wide after sections have evolved from grand prix maxi racer shapes to provide a fast, stable, comfortable ride whether racing or cruising.
Her average cruising speed of 16.5 knots and almost 30 knots when planing in full competitive mode are velocity prediction figures indicating she will be one of the fastest yachts of her type in the world.
Reaching these goals took 18 months of multiple hull performance study by Reichel/Pugh using computational fluid dynamics and advanced velocity prediction programs. They worked closely with North Sails to perfect the match between hull shape, appendages and sail design.
Carbon ensures light displacement
Baltic Yachts’ CEO Henry Hawkins, said: “Our reputation for precision building in lightweight carbon with every component weighed and factored into the design has enabled displacement to be kept to the 105-ton target providing the ideal platform for a high performance cruiser/racer.”
In close co-operation with Reichel/Pugh and Nauta, Baltic Yachts have also executed some particularly complex engineering in the yacht’s composite hull to accommodate the Nauta-designed, 4m long freeing ports in the 30cm deep bulwark and topsides. In addition to acting as scuppers they have the advantage of allowing an abundance of natural light into the deck saloon.
Effective co-operation between Reichel/Pugh’s engineers, the Baltic Yachts in-house team and Gurit, for some components, was key to managing changes and keeping the project on track. “It enabled us to meet the aggressive build schedule laid out at the beginning of the project,” said Jim Pugh.
Versatile rig
Among a number of innovative features, Baltic 130 My Song’s Southern Spars all carbon rig can set a pin head main for cruising or a square-top offering more sail area for racing. The latter requires running backstays, but when the conventional sail is set an easy-to-manage single fixed backstay can be rigged on a removable carbon fibre crane at the masthead. It takes just three hours to effect the change-out.
Faster and safer deployment of the yacht’s large asymmetric sail is made possible by an under-deck carbon fibre storage drum controlled by crew with a hand held remote. All sails are by North.
New Retractable Propulsion System
Under the water, My Song is fitted with Baltic Yachts’ latest Retractable Propulsion System (RPS) which not only leaves the hull entirely flush when the propeller is withdrawn into the hull, but also acts as a stern thruster as the highly efficient forward-facing, pull propeller unit can be turned through 90 degrees, port or starboard. The yacht can be driven off a dock literally sideways.
Further efforts to enhance performance can be seen in the chord dimension of the keel fin, designed with an uninterrupted taper from top to bottom. This reduces wetted surface area resulting in a marked increase in performance in the yacht’s VPP (velocity prediction program). The lifting keel reduces draft from 7m to just 4.8m enabling My Song to access many of the owner’s favourite anchorages when cruising.
Remarkable design exercise
My Song is the fourth sailing yacht designed by Nauta Design for the same owner, continuing a successful partnership which began almost 30 years ago. She also represents the fourth collaboration between Baltic Yachts and Nauta, and the second yacht for the same owner designed in collaboration with Reichel Pugh.
The interior accommodation is for six to eight guests including the owner. The full beam owner’s suite forward of the mast includes a lobby, two en suite bathrooms and a studio which can be converted into another guest cabin when necessary. Two en suite guest cabins are located aft of the saloon.
The focal point of the accommodation is a spectacular deck saloon with hull and superstructure ports, plus skylights providing panoramic outboard views and an immense amount of natural light. There is direct access to the guest cockpit, which provides a large sunbathing and al fresco eating and entertaining area.
Baltic “in complete control”
Nigel Ingram of MCM who project managed this highly complex yacht said: “Because of their holistic, in-house approach to design, engineering and construction with teams for all disciplines constantly communicating with each other, Baltic are one of very few yards capable of building such a complex yacht on time and to weight. They are in complete control and successfully managed many changes throughout the build.”
Nauta’s Mario Pedol said: “The team is proud to have designed, engineered and built this spectacular yacht for an owner who is both a very experienced yachtsman and a very loyal client and friend. The team designed and engineered the deck, interior and hull for top performance with no compromise on comfort or aesthetics using lightweight materials and innovative construction methods. All of us are very happy with My Song.”
Dimensions
LOA 39.62m
LWL 36.78m
Beam 8.52m
Draft, keel up 4.80m
Draft, keel down 7.00m
Displacement (light ship) 105 tons
Ballast 36.25 tons (fin and bulb)
Hull material Carbon pre-preg/Corecell sandwich
Fuel 7000lit
Water 2400lit
Engine Caterpillar C8.7 480kW/650hp + Baltic RPS
Sail Area main 530m2, genoa 380m2, asymmetric 1,300m2
Designed by
Naval architect and structural engineering / Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design
Concept, deck and interior design / Nauta Design
Project management / Nigel Ingram, MCM
For further information please contact
Founder and President Jim Pugh
jim@reichel-pugh.com / +1 619 200 2972
Senior Naval Architect Tony Beale
tony@reichel-pugh.com / +1 619 818 8478
Download high resolution photography here