!1N mE UNITED STATES, WE HAVE A IDSTORY 1HAT~":spans several hundred years, a blend of culturesl1nd traditions brought by immigrants from

c••iaround the world. Our diversity is our strength.Even so, many Americans are fascinated bytraveling the world, visiting countries wherethere's a wealth of history and heritage.

One such place is the Balearic Islands off thecoast of Spain. With settlements dating back to3,500 B.C., the islands are a virtual time capsuleof European evolution. United during the time ofthe Romans, the five major islands that make upthe Mediterranean archipelago have been hometo Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Byzantines,Visigoths, Arabs, Spaniards, Catalans, English

Menorquin Yachts BlendOld-World TraditionWith Sophistication and Technologyby BiUParlatorephotography by the author

and French. All have left their mark on the groupof islands.

Menorca is the most easterly of the Balearics,situated at 40 degrees Nand 4 degrees E. Itsposition in the Mediterranean ensures a lovelyclimate with predominantly northern winds,which characteristically blow with gusto. Theisland is 30 miles long and 10 miles wide and,for the most part, is relatively flat, with rollinghills. The high point on the island is Monte Toroat 1,100 feet, and it offers a marvelous view ofthe island's 216 kilometers of coastline.

Today Menorca is a tourism magnet, withwhite sandy beaches, crystal-clear water andmore than its share of excellent restaurants. Best

A view of MahonHarbor from myhotel. The naturalhaven has protectedfleets for centuries.The group of boatsin the foregroundis mostlyMenorquin yachts.

I •I;' "0- fRANCE:I '+N <, -,- '. (----."""'-----

! ~, - ~/ ,",' /,£..:;;;' ~ »<:"~; \~./'? ~,0" S P "'" /)~' ~., »-:« S;. \ 'v? '?

'--....-/", ;> 'ii: -vl ........i.'~;----'~/'/"-1 ~ '/. '-----~_..A .r-...--..-~~""'-~"--"-./"

/ ...••••...~~ MOROCCO ALGERIA

of all is that the type of tourist attracted toMenorca is one who enjoys relaxed hours at asidewalk cafe rather than the parasailing andcasino life of Theme Park Caribbean. For thepopulation of Menorca, life is good.

In addition to tourism, which accounts for halfthe local income, there is cattle farming andagriculture. And, no surprise here, fishing has itsplace in the local economy.

The design of Menorca's boats dates backcenturies, and the small, double-endeddisplacement hulls are known as llauds. Forhundreds of years, these lateen rigged boatsworked out in the choppy seas that are thenorm in the north Balearics. Efficient, stable andsafe, the llaud also proved a good choice formotorboat conversion when gasoline and dieselengines eventually replaced sail.

In 1978, local businessman D. Juan Sastrestarted Astilleros Menorca Shipyard. His familycompany set off to build traditional boats,always keeping an eye open for newtechnology that could be integrated. Hard workand clear vision prevailed, and the familyoperation has flourished for the past 25 years.His classic boats are found throughout theBalearics.

Today his sons join him in the business. Fiveyears ago, to mark its growth and interest inexpanding into international markets, thecompany changed its name to Menorquin Yachts.

Opportunity BeckonsTo celebrate the anniversary of the company,

as well as show off its new 326,OOO-square-footfacility, Menorquin Yachts threw a large party ofinternational proportions. They invited usaboard, and the crowd of press and dealers wasimpressive-from Spain, Mallorca, Germany,Croatia, France, Italy, the United States andGreece. All came to see the facility of a builderthat now exports more than 60 percent of itsyearly production of 120 boats.

I made the long trip to Menorca via Madridwith the U.S. representative, Ed Kurowski ofGratitude Yachting Center of Rock Hall,

) I ! a :5 l> a

(') o 31:l>

c:!'5

Maryland. (Ed is one of those guys you can'thelp but instantly like. He is calm, competentand knowledgeable without being boorish. Andhe rides an old Harley, so we had plenty to talkabout besides boats.)

Ed's partner, Jack Heffner, would meet us lateron the island. For the people of Gratitude,which included manager Ken Overton, thisofficial event also was a great opportunity toinspect several boats under construction for thenew U.S. market.

After arriving at the capital city of Mahon, wesoon found ourselves in the heart of town.Richly European, but with a decidedly Britishinfluence (from the last British occupationduring the 1700s, many buildings show offgreen shutters and brass door hardware), thecity rings a natural harbor. Mahon is home forfishing boats, navy ships and pleasure craft. Wesaw llauds of all sizes everywhere.

My room at the Catalonia Mirador Des Porthad me staying atop a cliff overlooking theharbor. This vantage point offered both a lovelymarine view and a charming glimpse of splendidold-world architecture. It is a city that begs forlong walks along the waterfront, with stops forcappuccino, pastry or simply an ice cream. Thesport of "people-watching" is world class inMahon. Another influence left by the British is ataste for gin, which is a local specialty. Oftenserved with lemonade, this drink is called"pomada" and was a quickly acquired favorite.

~ ...•

Over the next few days we traveled to thenearby Menorquin yard. There we were givenplant tours and boat rides on the latest fleet ofmodels, and we got a chance to discuss allaspects of the company and boats with theowners, naval architect and dealers. Clearly,Menorquin Yachts is a modem Europeanorganization making a big effort to go global.The average age of the workforce is 35,although the typical carpenter is somewhatolder and a true craftsman.It was a most impressive and well-organized

affair, hosted by Juan Sastre and his three sons,Juan Francisco, Jose Luis and Basilio. Juan andJose are responsible for production and financialand business operations. Their influence keepsthe facility contemporary and vibrant Basilioowns Nautic Center, a large yacht dealer inMenorca that sells the Menorquin. (NauticCenter also offers charters and commissioningservices for all Menorquinsin Menorca.)

Shape OfThings To Come

The Menorquin linecurrently includes sixmodels, from 34 to 60 feetLOA.The boats are in someways unusual, at least froma traditional Americanperspective. A top-down

view of the accommodations plan may give onethe impression that these boats are full bodiedand ungainly, but that is an illusion. Theunderwater hull shape is a careful study inefficiency. It is an example of Menorquin Yachtsblending modem yacht design and centuries-oldevolution.

According to Xavier Cardell, the Barcelona-based naval architect whose firm, Hilla & CardellYacht Design, is responsible for developingthese boats, the hull shape did indeed begin assailing craft. Cardell, a native of Menorca, is abig-time sailboat racer and was the worldchampion of Optimist racing in 1982. Hiscompany today designs high-tech racingsailboats, as well as other projects that push theenvelope of traditional thinking.

He explained that as engines began to replacethe lateen sail rig on the working boats, thedesire for higher speed motivated owners tomodify the traditional double-ender, Whatdeveloped were wood and metal "lifts" fitted tothe canoe stem, which added lift to the stern atspeed through the water. The lifts were asuccessful development, but Cardell said thatwhen they put a molded fiberglass box underthe stern on one of the Menorquins five yearsago, they effectively changed the hull shape andrealized the performance benefits of semi-displacement. The changes continued, and soon

PASSAGEMAKER • Nov/Dec 2002

hull molds were altered to incorporatepermanent stem extensions.

Despite its unusual appearance, the extendedswim platform adds practical space to theotherwise traditional boats and is great fordiving, swimming, using a dinghy or simplyenjoying the view at water level. On the biggerboats, especially, the size and execution of theextension adds what amounts to a back porchoff the covered aft cockpit, yet withoutsacrificing a traditional canoe stern.

Cardell went on to explain that the Menorquinhull shape is immensely seaworthy, which isimportant for running a boat in the seas aroundthe north Balearic Islands. Short, steep wavesquickly develop in this part of theMediterranean, and conditions can getdownright ugly without warning. The plumbbow's fine entry makes a quick transition intomassive reserve buoyancy. Combined with along keel and canoe stern, this shape hasproven very resistant to broaching. Hecommented that Grand Banks-style hulls are ata disadvantage when these steep seas develop,which perhaps explains why I saw not one ofthem during my stay on the island.

As if anticipating my question, the enthusiasticarchitect added that the swim platform did notcompromise this seaworthy shape, as followingseas easily wash over the low structure.

tP

Designed For Outdoor LivingIt is the stem that draws the most comments,

but Ed Kurowski finds it makes people questionwhat is "normal."

"One of the things that attracts couples to thisboat is the swim platform," Ed said. "It is easy tosee how it can be used down in the islands, onChesapeake Bay or in the Northwest. Peoplewho enjoy diving or water sports, or cruise withpets and children, think this makes sense.

"It is a boat designed for outdoor living aswell as great year-round usage for a family. Itslooks are unusual but very practical."

The Menorquins are twin-engine boats, andeach model will approach 20 knots. This iscertainly within the desired performanceenvelope of today's cruising machines, in boatsthat have luxurious accommodations.

The smaller 100 and 110 models, 34 feet and37 feet, respectively, have comfortableaccommodations for a couple or a small family,with V-berth forward, roomy saloon, compactgalley, enclosed helm and plenty of outdoorliving space under a covered aft deck. Movingabout on even the smaller Menorquins givesone the feeling of heft and robust construction,yet the boats cruise in the upper teens.

The larger Menorquins, especially the 160 and180 (50 feet and 60 feet LOA),have wonderfully

Nov/Oec2002- PASSAGEMAKER

Menorquin Yachts100 110 120 130 160 180

LOA 34'3" 3T3" 40'11" 43' 50'3" 59'6"LWL 32'6" 35'2" 38'11" 40'10" 48'5" 57'5"Beam 12'1" 12'5" 12'9" 16'5" 16'5" 18'1"Draft 3'2" 3'6" 3'7" 4'3" 4'3" 5'

!:.,/. Displ. 18,000 22,930 30,280 38,180 56,844 70,055o-"Engines 2x2OOhp 2x23Ohp 2x285hp 2x385hp 2x370hp 2x675hpFuel 180 gal 206 gal 236 gal 238 gal 450 gal 925 galWater 76 gal 132 gal 171 gal 264 gal 264 gal 264 galPrice $245K $280K $335K $lOOK $SOOK S880K

For More Information:Gratitude Yachting Center5990 lawton Ave., Rock Hall, MD 21661410.639.7111 gratyacht@dmv.comwww.gratitudeyachting.com

crafted interiors fit for royalty. Unlike someboats, where multiple staterooms getsqueezed into small spaces, the Menorquinapproach is in the other direction, withfewer cabins and open living areas thatmaximize space.

Menorquin boats are richly finished iniroko, teak and mahogany hardwoods.These interiors seem to reflect the Spanishway of life: simple, sophisticated, rich.These people know how to live, and it's nosurprise that their boats reflect this. As oneof the visiting Frenchmen put it, theMenorquin is a new kind of boat thatcarries on a tradition-but in a totally newway.

As Gratitude Yachting Center bringsthese Menorquins in country, expect to seethe boats draw crowds wherever they go.And new owners should get used to givingtours and answering questions. It will nodoubt be part of the ownership experience.

If the idea of blending tradition, moderntechnology and quality materials speaks toyou, I suggest a little trip to Menorca to seefor yourself. It's a land worth visiting-andbe sure to have a tall pomada for me! ~

Reprinted with pennission. Copyright @ ztJ02 PassageMakef Magazine, Inc. (888.4117.2953/