The English yard Spirit Yachts is building boats with substantial superstructures to accommodate human needs like full standing height below deck. This Spirit 52 D reminds on the mayor purpose of a sailboat to look nice, to be admired and enjoyed. For this custom-built manufacture, headroom and similar considerations seemed secondary. It is a kind of 52 foot Dragon.
Spirit 52 D for distilled sailing pleasure
Let’s first have a look at the colour and designation of the model. “Oui Fling” was launched in so-called Jade Mist Green, the mid-green of Sir Thomas Lipton’s last J-Class Shamrock V, from 1930. In England, it is simply called Jade Green. The “Mist” suffix recalls the “Oui Fling” owner’s origins in misty Scotland. In this context, it’s worth mentioning that the D in the type designation Sprit 52D doesn’t stand for “Daysailer,” but for “distilled.”
“Oui Fling” is beautifully clean on deck. Instead of the common cabin superstructure, there’s just a cover for the sliding hatch. And as the view from the companionway below reveals, it’s also pretty clean below deck. This is surprising these days, when boats are crammed with all sorts of things. And yet, that’s how it should be if the boat is to move easily through the water for unforgettable hours. Here you find more on the concept of agile sailing. For those precious moments when everyone on board falls silent and enjoys sailing. You can find out more about the weight-saving construction here. “Oui Fling” shows that it can be achieved with reasonable effort if you adhere to the concept of a sailboat.
The owner, who had Oui Fling built a few years ago, describes her as an evening racer. A boat for a few hours on the doorstep, perhaps even a little buoy skirmish on Wednesdays. He has a house in Lymington, where the ways on and off the boat are short.
Life on board
As the photos show, the boat is beautifully furnished, with mahogany ribs, longitudinal stringers made of dark sapele, and functional parts such as rigging irons and the keel frame made of polished stainless steel. This matches nicely to the lightweight Alaska cedar planks. And you could certainly spend the night on the side benches. Storage space for essentials has been thought of, as has a hidden on-board toilet. Towels dry over the side beams of the stringers. And there’s plenty of standing room in the open companionway. So, everything has been thought of. Further amenities are available at the nearest pub in the evening and the clubhouse in the morning.
Seven tons instead of nine
Thus, Oui Fling became a good two tons lighter than her sister ships, the 52-footers with deckhouses, separate cabins, two double beds, and so on. As Yachting World discovered during a test sail, she sails well upwind, albeit a little wetter than usual. It is a sailboat, after all. It’s worth noting that the mainsail doesn’t offer any reefing options. This is surprising in the windy Solent, where the boat is based. The handling without runners and the top spinnaker are practical.
The substantial ballast ratio of almost 50 percent (relative to the empty boat), the lead mounted at the end of the long carbon keel fin, and the significantly wider beam of 3.36 m compared to a Scandinavian skerry cruiser make the boat stiff. This covers a wide wind range with the standard sails. The article on the Swede 41 Classic focuses on the advantages of a high ballast ratio and sail carrying capacity. You want to sail instead of tying in reefs and unleashing them after the squall.
The proven, simple engine and the diesel tank, small by today’s standards but sufficient for harbour manoeuvres and rare calms, confirm the boat’s sailing capabilities.
A look at the counter reveals the distinctive shape of the transom. Along with the elaborately moulded construction of the cabin superstructure, this is a feature of all Spirit yachts designed by Sean McMillan. The boat, with its mid-green hull, also matches nicely to the Solent. And should the sun linger for an extra moment, the matching Jade Mist Green shirts come into their own.
The owner looks back at a remarkable fleet of interesting racing and fun to sail boats made by Nautor and Wally, including several Highland Flings. Fling means “summer fling,” certainly fitting to “Oui Fling”, but it would be sad if it is a mere affair. You can admire and enjoy this boat for a long time.
Published March 16, 2024. Updated April 24, 25
Photo above by Paul Wyeth/Spirit Yachts. → Subscribe Newsletter and you won’t miss future articles.
