Thomaston, Maine: Always looking to advance the art and science of boat building, Lyman-Morse in its partnership with CW Hood Yachts and Stephen Waring Yacht Design is taking an innovative approach to the construction of a new 57’ custom motor yacht. A Spirit of Tradition show-stopper, it will bring head turning elegance to the Express-Cruiser market.
“Lyman-Morse has been working with the Hood family since we got into the business in 1978, and having just finished Anna, another highly engineered build from Stephens Waring Yacht Design, Chris Hood knew we were up and running on what he wanted to do in terms of building this new powerboat,” said Drew Lyman, president of Lyman-Morse.
A New Take on the Ergonomics of Boat Building and the Value in Composite Construction
Two interesting new techniques are being utilized in the construction of this 57’ high-performance cruiser. First, to achieve the expected 39 knots from the Volvo Penta’s IPS 1350 integrated propulsion system, the yacht is engineered with weight-control and strength as a priority. Stephens Waring provided innovative composite construction detail that hybridize wood and fiberglass into a contemporary build method. For custom projects, this approach delivers substantial value and cost savings over exotic molded methods with materials like carbon and aramid fibers. Second, Lyman-Morse is employing a new overhead crane system to facilitate an ergonomically efficient building environment for the crew. Taking the module-building practice employed on Anna to the next level, they will build the hull in 4 separate parts: The bottom module which is about 50’ in length by 15’ in width that includes the stem of the boat; both topsides sections, port and starboard that run from the stem aft to the transom; and the curved transom section This innovative modular wood-composite process, developed in partnership with Stephens Waring Yacht Design, is supported in part by a grant from the Maine Technology Institute, which recognized the potential efficiencies and improved workforce ergonomics that could be achieved through its implementation on the Hood 57 and other yachts.
The process starts with the jig that was precisely cut by Lyman-Morse’s Haas GR-712 CNC machine from direct digital inputs provided by the project’s engineers. Once assembled, the jig yields such a perfect form that the wooden sheathing for the bottom along with the curved transom can be installed. Meanwhile, the tricky internal longitudinal structural stringers using CNC machined foam formers that have their structural epoxy laminate completed are constructed simultaneously with the bottom sheathing. To eliminate the ergonomically difficult work of working on an upside-down part, the bottom is lifted off the jig using the overhead crane, rotated to the upright orientation and placed in a cradle which then has the inner structural laminate installed and epoxy infused. Next the pre-made internal longitudinal stringers are lifted and placed in reliefs that have been machined into the jig which perfectly locate them in the hull. Now the bottom with its inner skin installed is lifted, rotated back to the inverted orientation and put back on the jig. An epoxy adhesive is used to bond the longitudinals to the hull bottom. Next the topside planking occurs which finishes up with a structural epoxy impregnated laminate as their outer skin for even distribution and incredible strength. After the hull is rotated to the upright position and the jig removed, the topsides will have their structural inner skin vacuum bagged in place and the joints between the four separate parts will be joined together creating a structural monocoque assembly.
Perfect for weekend cruising and entertaining, the Hood 57 will feature custom titanium hardware and a titanium spiral stair leading to the flydeck. These elements will be constructed at Lyman-Morse Fabrication. The yacht’s unique open-format cockpit with direct access to the water and dock, and well-founded accommodations for four will ensure fun times on the water for family and friends.
A 2020 delivery is expected for this 57-foot power yacht. It is yet another undertaking between Stephens Waring Yacht Design and Lyman-Morse Boatbuilding. The companies recently delivered the 65-foot sloop Anna. C.W. Hood Yachts is also the builder of record for Stephens Waring’s elegant daysailer, the C.W. Hood 24.
PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS
LOA: 57 ft – 3 in
LWL: 49 ft – 10 in
Beam: 17 ft – 6 in
Draft: 4 ft – 10 in
Disp, ½ load: 60,000 lb.
Power: Twin Volvo IPS 1350 pod drives
Celebrating 40 plus years in business by drawing on Thomaston, Maine’s 200-year tradition of shipbuilding and fine craftsmanship, Lyman-Morse has become one of the world’s finest custom and semi-custom builder of and service provider for sailing and motor yachts. A family run business, Lyman-Morse specializes in composites, advanced composites and aluminum construction. Discriminating owners, world-class naval architects and designers all come to Lyman-Morse knowing that they are expert in any medium and are able to deliver dreams on time and on budget. Since the yard’s founding in 1978, more than 100 yachts have been sent down the St. George River ranging in scope from carbon fiber catamarans and traditional sailing sloops to not-so traditional carbon racing monohulls, stately motor yachts and sportfish powerboats to sporty jet boats and daysailers.
Lyman-Morse's broad-ranging capabilities are showcased not only by workmanship of the 100 plus-skilled workforce, but also by modern, energy efficient and expansive facilities. The 11-acre Thomaston campus features 7 heated work buildings with 55,000 square feet of space for refit and repair/and boatbuilding. Servicing fine yachts is a natural outgrowth of boatbuilding.Repairs, rebuilds and servicing ship systems, along with upgrading gear and seasonal maintenance are handled by the service division of the company. In Camden, Lyman-Morse at Wayfarer Marine gives the company an increased visibility and the opportunity to return the Camden yard to its former glory as New England’s go-to service yard. The LM Service team of experienced bluewater sailors and builders understand what proper maintenance is all about and is the reason experienced, and demanding yachtsmen deliver their yachts to Lyman-Morse. Lyman-Morse includes brokerage offices in Camden and Northeast Harbor, Maine and Newport, Rhode Island.
The combination of state-of-the-art facilities with some of the world's finest craftsmen has allowed Lyman-Morse to expand into areas outside the marine world. In Rockland, Lyman-Morse Fabrication is fast becoming the source for custom-made metal fabrication projects in New England. LM Fabrication provides custom design, engineering and fabrication for projects of virtually any scale. This division mirrors the boatbuilding and service divisions in that it specializes in complex, difficult commercial, municipal and residential design projects regardless of job size, installation challenges or scope of work. Lyman-Morse Technologies is the research, development and prototyping division of the company. LMT works with architects, interior designers, business and home owners and government agencies including the Department of Defense to meet the most interesting needs. LMT fuses state-of-the-art electrical design with nuanced manufacturing approaches in an effort to bring diversified, innovative product solutions to the renewable energy market, private and public sectors.
For more information about Lyman-Morse go to: www.lymanmorse.com call: 207-354-6904 or email: info@lymanmorse.com
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Construction Update: CW Hood Yachts New 57-Foot Express Class Underway at Lyman-Morse
