Raven flies

The Baltic 111 Raven reaches sustained speeds in the high twenties after successful trials in Finland.

Photography by Tom van Oossanen

05 October 2023

Baltic has described early sailing trials for the foil-assisted Baltic 111 Raven as very successful as the super-lightweight sloop showed impressive reliability and reached sustained speeds in the high 20s during 10 consecutive days of sailing off Baltic Yachts’ head-quarters in Jakobstad, Finland.

The revolutionary superyacht, the first sailing yacht of her size and type to use hydrofoils mounted on adjustable side arms to support a high percentage of her displacement, will be handed over to her owner during October completing a successful two-year build and trials period.

Baltic Yachts undertook an exhaustive weight-saving program to ensure that Raven’s displacement hit target, a critical factor in the success of the project. The yacht is fully fitted out below with advanced carbon composite components and the yacht’s structure incorporated into the accommodation, resulting in a stunning example of interior design.

Henry Hawkins, Baltic Yachts’ Executive Vice President said, “Raven’s performance has so far lived up to expectations with clearly more to come.”

Raven’s performance has so far lived up to expectations with clearly more to come. (Pic: Tom van Oossanen.)

Photographs show Raven sailing in moderate wind and sea conditions at speeds in the high twenties.

The yacht’s overall concept, including the interior and exterior styling is by Finn Jarkko Jämsén.

Raven is the first sailing yacht of her size and type to use hydrofoils mounted on adjustable side arms to support displacement. (Pic: Eva-Stina Kjellman.)

Leading the Raven project is the highly experienced Garth Brewer of A2B Marine Projects. (Pic: Dan-Erik Olsen.)

Structural engineering was by PURE Design and Engineering New Zealand. (Pic: Tom van Oossanen.)

“We’re delighted with the result of a very effective partnership comprising the foil team, rig suppliers, sail makers, structural engineers and the build team here at Baltic, who have brought this complex project to fruition,” said Hawkins. “Trials to date have been both highly promising and very successful, but this is only the first step.”

Raven has been sailing under full main and a triple-headed sailplan comprising a Code sail set off the bowsprit, jib and staysail, enabling her to take advantage of her foiling ability. She is designed to sail on her chine with the leeward foil supporting a large proportion of her displacement. Her transom remains immersed and is fitted with trim tabs which can be used to alter fore and aft trim.

Photographs show Raven sailing in moderate wind and sea conditions at speeds in the high twenties. With initial sailing trials in Finland virtually complete, the yacht will be prepared for her transfer to a location that will provide the conditions to take testing, training and performance development to another level.

Raven’s sailing team is being managed by Klabbe Nylöf with experienced offshore sailor Damien Durchon skippering the yacht. They have assembled a pool of sailors with high-performance sailing experience upon whom they can call, supported by a shore-based technical team managing Raven’s ongoing development.

The yacht’s overall concept, including the interior and exterior styling is by Finn Jarkko Jämsén, whose disruptive thinking in superyacht design matched the owner’s desire for a stylish, quick, day-sailer superyacht with the ability to undertake high-speed offshore passages.

Naval architecture is by Botin Partners and structural engineering by PURE Design in New Zealand, both of whom are at the leading edge of the latest America’s Cup foiling technology. Leading the Raven project is the highly experienced Garth Brewer of A2B Marine Projects.

balticyachts.fi

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