pilot classic yachts

Yachting World

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PC 55 Video: footage of our test of the Hoek designed Performance Classic Yachts 55

• Toby Hodges
• October 17, 2017

Full boat test video taken during our trials of the first PC55 – a modern composite built Hoek design inspired by the timeless shape of a pilot cutter

The PC55 is a performance cruiser with a difference – it’s looks. It owes its aesthetic inspiration to the original pilot cutters – working yachts that gained a legendary reputation thanks to their speed, manoeuvrability and ability to be handled by just two crewmembers.

The traditional pilot cutter is oft described as the best yacht design ever. It seems strange then that there is not a greater choice of pilot cutter inspired designs around today.

One person who is onto their enduring appeal more than any other though is Andre Hoek. Hoek’s ‘Pilot Classic’ range spans the whole size spectrum, from the 33ft Essence and 37ft Wally Nano to the 152ft Royal Huisman built Elfje and even a 200ft+ project currently on the boards.

Performance Classic Yachts (PC Yachts) has created a production yacht business around these Hoek designs from this PC55 up to a 85 footer. It is a five-year old British company that sub contracts the semi custom builds to Metur Yachts in Bodrum. Metur, a classic yacht specialist, has built numerous Hoek designs over the last two decades, including two for Andre Hoek himself.

The first PC Yacht was a wood epoxy built Pilot Classic 66 in 2014, followed by this composite PC55. The designs retain the generous sail area of a pilot cutter, albeit with a Bermudan rig, combined with a modern underwater shape. Weight is reduced and centralised wherever possible to optimise performance.

The PC55 has a carbon reinforced composite hull and deck and foam-cored furniture as standard. The combination of classic-inspired lines together with a modern lightweight shell and appendages looks quite irresistible. We travelled to Bodrum to see if the mix works on the water. Here’s the video:

We had perfect trial conditions, with winds averaging 15 knots over calm seas. The PC55 is designed for the yacht to be powered up in typical Force 3–4 Med conditions.

And she was quick to establish why the word ‘performance’ belongs in her title. We clocked 9–9.5 knots beam reaching, 8.5 knots when fetching and 7.5–8 knots upwind tacking through 85º. I was impressed.

Our test was a good representation of how a potential owner would want to sail the PC55. It’s an ideal concept for those who want to keep their yacht in a Med marina – to be able to take it out for a sail with partner and/or friend and maximise the moderate breezes.

The PC55 is around €300k less than a similar-sized luxury cruiser from the likes of Swan, Spirit, Oyster or Contest. So in production market terms, it’s more comparative to yachts like an XC55 or an Italia Yachts 15.98.

But much rests on the looks of the PC55 and whether they hook you in. The PC55 represents a cool blend of modern styling on a dreamy pilot cutter shape. It’s a yacht that has that ability to turn heads anywhere.

  This extract is taken from the full test report of the PC55 in the November 2017 issue of Yachting World. Pictures and video shot by Richard Langdon, Ocean Images

LOA 18.54m 60ft 10in

LOD 16.62m 54ft 6in

LWL 13.38m 43ft 10in

Beam (Max) 4.23m 13ft 10in

Draught 2.7m 8ft 10in

Disp (lightship) 15,570kg 34,722lb

Price (ex VAT) €775,000

Design: Hoek Design

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Pilot Classic 47 - timeless elegance

Immortal, ageless, timeless and spaceless are the hallmarks of classic design. Journalist Toby Hodges shared his impressions of the neoclassical yacht Pilot Classic 47.

The ideality of a yacht is a difficult quality that can sometimes be quantified. For many yacht owners, appearance will play a secondary role, giving way to pragmatics. Practicality, space, and affordability come first (hence the success of production yachts). 

But surely you have thought about which yacht can theoretically cause you the greatest aesthetic pleasure from being on it? 

Most likely, such a yacht will be a monohull. Most likely, such a yacht will be finished with beautifully varnished wood. Most often from my friends I hear that their modern boats are good, but I would like to feel the classics. And there is some truth in this. Classic yachts have some kind of eternal and immortal appearance. It does not need to be radically changed - only carefully and sensitively care.

Modern classic

I am often asked which yacht I would choose and it depends on the circumstances. I am occupied with questions about when, where, for how long and with what imaginary budget I will be. But for those lucky enough to afford a true treasure, Performance Classic Yachts (PC Yachts) offers a line of Hoek experimental neoclassical designs. 

PC Yachts is a small brand that produces modern classics. The yard builds several yachts a year in composite materials or epoxy at the Metur Yachts shipyard in Turkey, which is also known for its refurbishments. The 74-foot Stormvogel ocean racing ketch was recently restored here.

Boats from PC Yachts often have a Bermuda sail rather than a gaff sail. Despite this, they still boast a huge sail area. Frankly, such an area is more typical for pilot cutters. Cutters (or cutters) were a proven design for northern European waters over a hundred years ago. Then they had to chase oncoming ships, often in terrible conditions, and they had to be fast and easy to manage. The latter is also true for PC Yachts.

We were invited to test the smallest and latest PC yacht just a few days after its launch. The Pilot Classic 47 “Kazumi” was commissioned by a Japanese gentleman who tragically died along with his wife in an accident. He did not live just a few months before the boat was launched. The family of the victims decided that before putting the yacht up for sale, it must be completed as the couple would like. The result is something they would no doubt be proud of. 

Pilot Classic 47 - a yacht ready for ocean travel?

The assignment was unusual. With aesthetics in mind, the original customer requested a 10 cm reduction in the freeboard. Thus, below deck, the ceiling height was a maximum of 185 cm. This would be sufficient for him, but not enough for many people from the USA or Europe. He also wanted a yacht that could be easily steered alone, so the yacht is equipped with a fur boom, a self-tilting staysail, electric winches and a thruster.

First impressions tend to focus on the great looks of the Pilot Classic 47. To confirm the enduring appeal of such lines, the yacht was moored alongside the Pilot Classic 55 and Pilot Classic 66. Neither boat has aged and still stands out in a busy marina.

Distinctive features of the Pilot Classic 47

If you look at the Pilot Classic 47 next to its larger brothers, then its widest part is significantly shifted to the stern. This creates a much wider stern and a spacious cockpit. André Hoek (yacht designer and architect) compares the wider stern to the stern of the Herreshoff NY40. He also confirms that this also helps with going upwind when heeling. As a rule, a longer yacht looks sleeker with its slimmer lines, but the increase in length creates an equally striking effect on the Pilot Classic 47.  

The design still retains much of the traditional style, including tufted slats, a square cockpit roof and traditional planking that rises from a low freeboard at the stern to high bow sections, culminating in a bowsprit powerful enough for a classic work boat.

The boat is built in accordance with category A ocean standards. The base structure of the boat is made of carbon fiber, reinforced with an epoxy foam “sandwich” (hull technology), all structures are connected together. There are watertight bulkheads in the bow and stern, and the bow is reinforced. 

Thus, despite the fact that this yacht is designed for weekly cruises, the Pilot Classic 47 is structurally capable of sailing anywhere. For me and my photographer, the owners of the shipyard arranged a test drive.

simple pleasures

Ah, the delights of steering a large boat with one helm! The Pilot Classic 47 quickly proved to be agile, light on the steering wheel. We took a tack in the channel between the mainland and the island of Kara-Ada. There, right off the coast of the island, the color of the water changes from dark blue to an alluring blue hue. At the same time, you need to be careful when swimming so close to land. The problem is that the sonar goes from 40m to single digits in less than one boat length.

It was here that the self-twisting staysail came to the rescue. Being able to go short tacks up the coast knowing that you can instantly turn the boat on the tacks along its length without the need for anyone to move is very reassuring.

As with classic yachts, aesthetics outperform comfort in many areas. For example, I did not find it particularly comfortable to sit at the helm. When heeling into the wind, it is far from the steering wheel. Therefore, for a long stay on the steering wheel, you either need to stand, which means you need foot rests (installed at the request of the owners), or sit on the leeward side, which is rather inconvenient. At the same time, to be honest, I am ready to sacrifice comfort for the sake of appearance.

However, forward visibility is good and any Harken winch is a pleasure to work with. I found the yacht attractive for solo sailing. I really liked the feeling of "sportiness" - the lightness and humility of the boat will win the hearts of many yachtsmen.

The comparatively wider stern creates a large headroom at the helm. The bowsprit also looks great and increases windage without increasing mast height. However, it also has its drawbacks. Increases the actual length it creates in port as well as the practical aspects of anchoring. 

Aesthetics is the head of everything

A yacht that prioritizes aesthetics must look good. Pilot Classics handles this well below deck as well, achieving a balance of styles. New England beach house interior design means lightness and chic.

If we compare the boat with a modern cruising yacht, then it definitely lacks volume. In particular, storage space and headroom. However, against the backdrop of weekender-style yachts or even classic yachts with small beams, “Kazumi” looks like a spacious open-plan format that includes six berths.

The comparatively low headroom on this model is impossible to ignore. The ceiling height is about 182-185 cm at the maximum in the wardroom and saloon. But you get used to it, remembering that the "standard" version can be only 10 cm higher.

The style and details are admirable, especially the hull and deck plating. They are white painted tongue and groove. The satin lacquered teak joinery and sculpted solid wood panels around all the furniture are beyond praise. Instead of using plywood, PC Yachts use foam furniture. This is done to save weight where possible.

The chart table boasts a very large amount of space for maps. The original owner was a busy man and wanted to be able to work on board. And it immediately attracted me. So much so that I sat down at my desk for the first time to type notes during a test.

It rightfully feels like the heart of the interior, from where you can plan transitions and work. I was frustrated that the raised locker doors didn't line up perfectly, but there's plenty of locker space and a neat control panel that includes smart analog water tank gauges.

Don't forget to rate the content! You can find other interesting articles on the links below or in the "News" section!

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New Proteksan Turquoise 58.3m Sailing Yacht Pilot Classic 192 by Hoek Design

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Written by Zuzana Bednarova

Turkish shipyard Proteksan & Turquoise are currently presenting a new Pilot Classic 192 yacht, featuring stunning pilothouse and straight bow. A beautiful classic-styled exterior as well as interior of this superyacht Pilot Classic 192  are the result of the world- renowned  Hoek Design studio. Measuring 58.39m in LOA she is based upon an aluminium hull, lifting keel, and carbon spars and rudder.

Hoek designed Pilot Classic 192' sailing yacht by Proteksan Turquoise

An extensive weight and performance optimisation project has been carried out in order to ensure her competitiveness in the Spirit of Tradition races.

The hull, keel and rudder design will be highly optimised with CFD software. The sail plan exceeds Panamax height, while a lifting keel that expands her draught from 4.5 to 8.5 metres will make an extremely powerful yacht, especially upwind.

The 192 foot Pilot Classic by Hoek will be built to MCA (short range) for luxury yacht charter purposes but performance remains the key priority in the design brief.

Proteksan & Turquoise 192´ sailing yacht by Hoek Design

There will be dedicated storage for a 22-foot tender completely below decks and a separate crew cockpit similar to that seen on Erica XII yacht.

Proteksan Turquoise 192´  Pilot Classic 192 yacht offers accommodation in one master stateroom, three double cabins and a twin cabin, all situated aft. Spacious interior offers built-in seating and al-fresco dining for indoor relaxation.

The wealth of experience gained with designing and sailing yachts of a similar size – such as Adele, Erica XII, Marie and Athos – will be very helpful in the creation of this exhilarating yacht.

LOA: 58.39 m

LWL: 48.75 m

Beam: 10.07 m

Draft: 4.6 m / 8.30 m

Please contact CharterWorld - the luxury yacht charter specialist - for more on superyacht news item "New Proteksan Turquoise 58.3m Sailing Yacht Pilot Classic 192 by Hoek Design ".

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Pilot Classic 55

Yachting World in their November 2017 test report of the PC 55 said ‘ She sails well and looks even better ’ and ‘ the combination of a classic-inspired and a lightweight shell with modern appendages looks quite irresistible ’.

With 2 hulls completed and another 2 in build, they have proven to be wonderful cruising yachts with great performance, easily handled by a couple but able to accommodate 6 in comfort.

News section of the website and contact us for more information on the specification, pricing either by email or phone-->

The design brief given to Hoek Design for the PC 55 was to replicate the success of the PC66 and create:

• a visually stunning yacht
• a yacht that was fast and responsive to sail – a “Sailors Yacht” geared to being able to sail shorthanded.
• to have a ‘supersized’ and usable cockpit ergonomically divided into a dining area where 8 can dine in comfort, a sailing area where one can trim without leaving the helm, and a sunbathing area.
• to have a open and light interior where the focus was on the Saloon area and an interior able to sleep 6 in three double cabins including a luxurious Owners cabin forward
• a yacht practical in terms of tankage and storage for equipment

There is some flexibility in terms of interior and exterior styling – for the exterior there is the options of either the more modern wraparound look or a more classical look with wood veneered coach roof sides seen on some of the Classics Hoek designs. For the interior the styling is anticipated to be the New England white panelled styling as seen on the PC66 using Teak horizontal surfaces and touches, but again there is some flexibility in this respect if other finishes are required.

The interior has been designed to sleep six in comfort with 3 spacious cabins including a large Owners cabin forward with its own private facilities. The aft cabins share a head (one en suite) and forward is a designated Navigational area to port with a very usable galley and large saloon area with a folding table.

As in her larger sibling the cockpit is very spacious area divided into 3 areas. A large folding table will easily seat 8 in comfort whilst the yacht can be sailed and trimmed without leaving the helm. The coach roof mounted traveler system allows a full bimini and dodger for those wanting to stay out of the elements and importantly keeps the mainsheet away from guests in the cockpit.

With the design being geared towards a yacht that was fast and responsive to sail it meant a construction method where both lightness and strength were required. Accordingly, the PC55 is built with a multi-layer epoxy lamination system with a Gurit Coracell M-foam cored Hull and deck, all laminated with E-Glass and epoxy resin and vacuum bagged supported by a carbon-reinforced grid system. The interior Bulkheads and furniture are also in composite and taped into the hull to create a high strength and light monocoque structure.

Technical Specifications

Download full specifications

Download full specifications for the PC55

By SuperyachtNews 08 Mar 2013

First Pilot Classic sailing yacht delivered

The hoek designed 26m will be joined by larger yachts based on the same model.….

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ROYAL HUISMAN

Aluboot Shipyard

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Hoek Designs Launch First Pilot Classic Sailing Yacht

By Ben Roberts

Hoek Design in the Netherlands has announced the delivery of the first ever Pilot Classic 85. Built by the Dutch shipyard Aluboot for a Turkish client, Windhunter is a spectacular vessel in her own right as well as another superb example of the increasing trend for performance yachts in this style.

Windhunter synthesises the finest in Dutch construction and design with impressive input from the owners and their representative Bora Kadikoy. The brief called for an 85-foot sailing yacht with an outstanding performance, flush decks, a plumb bow for a long waterline and the ability for the vessel to be sailed and maintained by a permanent crew of two. The yacht was to be classically styled above the water, with a lifting keel that stays below the interior floorboards in order to reduce draft for marinas. Carbon spars were chosen and the yacht was to be fast in light airs and in upwind conditions.

All this and more has been achieved by Hoek Design, which was responsible for the naval architecture, exterior styling, interior design and workshop drawings. The design was extensively optimised for performance and construction got underway at the Aluboot yard, which is specialised in aluminium sailing yachts and lifting keels. Windhunter is the sixth yacht from the boards of Hoek Design to be built at Aluboot, which has also gained enormous experience in the need for uncompromising quality by building vessels for the Dutch lifeboat organisation KNRM.

Hoek Design has been exploring classically styled yachts with a plumb bow since the late 1990s. The first yacht in this style was the 36 ft Tintel, launched in 2001. This exceptionally fast yacht started a new tradition of which Windhunter is the latest fine example.

Windhunter‘s hull is built in 5083 aluminium with longitudinal framing on transverse web frames in order to have a light and stiff hull construction. A recessed hydraulically operated side boarding ladder has been integrated in the construction and great emphasis given to reduce or eliminate corrosion where stainless steel parts join the aluminium construction for fairleads, deck drains and hatches. The yacht has an aluminium bowsprit and a high modulus carbon mast and V boom by Hall Spars with rod rigging.

Technically Windhunter is equipped with robust systems, hydraulic winches, simple electric installations, air-conditioning and all other systems one will expect to find on a superyacht of this length. The lifting keel is a development between Aluboot and Hoek Design which has previously been seen on other Truly Classic designs. It keeps the lifting mechanism below the floorboards, freeing up extra space interior for Windhunter’s social spaces.

The interior design was arranged by the Hoek office with soft furnishings by Esra Gunray from Istanbul. A classic but contemporary look combines mahogany panelling with off-white painted areas, leather floors in mahogany margins and subtle upholstery. The owner’s stateroom is located aft across the full beam. It includes ‘his & hers’ bathrooms, with a bathtub in the latter being a relatively rare feature onboard a yacht this size.

The stateroom is accessible via a cabin that can either be used as a walk-in closet or a spare guest cabin. The main deckhouse is home to the dining table while the lower saloon features an integrated galley. There are two guest cabins with ensuite bathrooms forward of the saloon with a decent crew cabin for two further forward. The crew cabin with an ensuite bathroom has access during bad weather from inside the bathroom and from on deck in normal conditions. A small crew mess and galley complete the picture on a boat that is meticulously thought through in every respect. Windhunter was recently nominated for several International design awards.

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New Listing – 2021 PC Yachts Pilot Classic 55

Posted Saturday 7th November 2020

A unique opportunity to acquire a brand new, soon-to-be-launched Pilot Classic 55 for 2021 season delivery with complete ‘ready to sail’ specification and with a great saving over list price.

FURTHER BROKER’S COMMENTS:

Due for launch in spring 2021, this brand new Pilot Classic 55 from the board of Hoek Design and with construction by the acclaimed Metur Yacht shipyard in in Bodrum Turkey represents a fantastic opportunity to skip the line and be sailing for the 2021 season. She is hull No.2 of the design and fully optioned, with her price including launch and commissioning and representing a substantial saving over list price.

Her specification highlights include:- • Awlgrip “Chevvy white” painted topsides with recessed gold cove stripe and navy boot top. • Fully composite construction: Coracell M foam core, E glass skins with carbon reinforcement. • Teak decks and cockpit and teak veneered aft face to coachroof • Teak rimmed carbon fibre helm wheel • Full Garmin navigation package with twin plotters, AIS and autopilot • 2.7m T-profile performance keel • 110Hp Yanmar engine with shaft drive upgrade option • 3-bladed folding propeller • Retractable bowthruster • Quantum Sails Hydranet sail package • Upgraded Lewmar electric winch package with 4x powered winches • Harken switch track for mainsail • Mastervolt inverter • Upgraded Mastervolt Lithium Ion service battery pack • Twin battery chargers and alternators • C-net digital switching system • Bimini • Teak seats in pushpit • Spreader lights

Sturdy and capable enough to cross oceans and roomy enough for longer-term liveaboard sailing, the Pilot Classic 55 is so much more than just looks and performance. In many ways she is the ideal ‘all-round’ cruising yacht, offering a fantastic balance of timeless elegance, high-tech build, interior volume, performance and capability

*** PLEASE NOTE – Advertising photos show sistership PC 55 Hull No.1 ***

MANUFACTURER’S COMMENTS:

The design brief given to Hoek Design for the PC 55 was to replicate the success of the PC66 and create: • A visually stunning yacht • A yacht that was fast and responsive to sail – a “Sailors Yacht” geared to being able to sail shorthanded. • To have a ‘supersized’ and usable cockpit ergonomically divided into a dining area where 8 can dine in comfort, a sailing area where one can trim without leaving the helm, and a sunbathing area. • To have a open and light interior where the focus was on the Saloon area and an interior able to sleep 6 in three double cabins including a luxurious Owners cabin forward • A yacht practical in terms of tankage and storage for equipment

The hand-built interior is designed by Hoek to be both very light and airy based on a New England beach house style using white panelled vertical surfaces and varnish wood detailing to create a modern classic feel. A large saloon seating area with folding table, a spacious well-appointed galley and separate navigational area are the focus point of the interior. The yacht sleeps six in comfort with a large Owners cabin forward with its own ensuite and then two double cabins aft with a shared head.

As in her larger sibling the cockpit is very spacious area divided into 3 areas. A large folding table will easily seat 8 in comfort whilst the yacht can be sailed and trimmed without leaving the helm. The coach roof mounted traveler system allows a full bimini and dodger for those wanting to stay out of the elements and importantly keeps the mainsheet away from guests in the cockpit.

With the design being geared towards a yacht that was fast and responsive to sail it meant a construction method where both lightness and strength were required. Accordingly, the PC55 is built with a multi-layer epoxy lamination system with a Gurit Coracell M-foam cored Hull and deck, all laminated with E-Glass and epoxy resin and vacuum bagged supported by a carbon-reinforced grid system. The interior Bulkheads and furniture are also in composite and taped into the hull to create a high strength and light monocoque structure.

YACHTING PRESS REVIEW:

“The PC55 is a performance cruiser with a difference – it’s looks. It owes its aesthetic inspiration to the original pilot cutters – working yachts that gained a legendary reputation thanks to their speed, manoeuvrability and ability to be handled by just two crewmembers.

The traditional pilot cutter is oft described as the best yacht design ever. It seems strange then that there is not a greater choice of pilot cutter inspired designs around today.

One person who is onto their enduring appeal more than any other though is Andre Hoek. Hoek’s ‘Pilot Classic’ range spans the whole size spectrum, from the 33ft Essence and 37ft Wally Nano to the 152ft Royal Huisman built Elfje and even a 200ft+ project currently on the boards.

Performance Classic Yachts (PC Yachts) has created a production yacht business around these Hoek designs from this PC55 up to a 85 footer. It is a eight-year old British company that sub contracts the semi-custom builds to Metur Yachts in Bodrum. Metur, a classic yacht specialist, has built numerous Hoek designs over the last two decades, including two for Andre Hoek himself.

The first PC Yacht was a wood-epoxy built Pilot Classic 66 in 2014, followed by this composite PC55. The designs retain the generous sail area of a pilot cutter, albeit with a Bermudan rig, combined with a modern underwater shape. Weight is reduced and centralised wherever possible to optimise performance.

The combination of classic-inspired lines together with a modern lightweight shell and appendages looks quite irresistible. We travelled to Bodrum to see if the mix works on the water.

We had perfect trial conditions, with winds averaging 15 knots over calm seas. The PC55 is designed for the yacht to be powered up in typical Force 3–4 Med conditions.

And she was quick to establish why the word ‘performance’ belongs in her title. We clocked 9–9.5 knots beam reaching, 8.5 knots when fetching and 7.5–8 knots upwind tacking through 85º. I was impressed.

Our test was a good representation of how a potential owner would want to sail the PC55. It’s an ideal concept for those who want to keep their yacht in a Med marina – to be able to take it out for a sail with partner and/or friend and maximise the moderate breezes.

… much rests on the looks of the PC55 and whether they hook you in. The PC55 represents a cool blend of modern styling on a dreamy pilot cutter shape. It’s a yacht that has that ability to turn heads anywhere.”

Yachting World – November 2017

2021 PC Yachts Pilot Classic 55 – Asking Euro 995,000 ex VAT – full details  here

Do you have a yacht like this to sell? Grabau International are always looking for new high quality cruising yacht listings both in the UK and internationally. For further information about our tailored brokerage services, please  look here  or feel free to  contact us .

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37' Pilot Classic

This 37-foot design is a customised superlative weekender with a medium displacement with a relatively sleek hull, a plumb bow, a classic sheer line and a stern overhang with open transom similar to the Pilot Cutters of the early 1900s.  Josephine III, the first yacht built according to the design, was launched in the Netherlands in 2013. The second one has been built in the UK and is lauched late summer 2014. The design is nominated for the Classic Boat awards 2014 in the Spirit of Tradition Class under 40-feet. For more information, contact [email protected].

LOA     11.4 m LWL     9.0 m Beam     3.1 m Draft     2.0 m Sail Area     96 m2 Yard     owner Year     2013