Bella Luna
bella luna
Specifications
Design: F&W/CW Paine Construction: Composite WoodLOA: 27 ft LWL: 21 ft 8 in Draft: 4 ft 6 in Beam: 7 ft 10 in Displacement: 6476 lbs Ballast: 3200 lbs
Propulsion: Electric Drivemaster 2.5-24v/2.5kw.Torquedo Lithium Batteries
Features
BELLA LUNA is based on the iconic NG Herreshoff Alerion III design. Although she was a personal favorite, Herreshoff refined this new hull shape with its hollow waterline entry to many other fleet designs including the 27 ft Sadie, 12-1/2s, Fish Class, S- Class and Newport 29s.
Starting with the 1914 Herreshoff plans, provided by Hart Nautical Museum, French and Webb tasked yacht designer CW Paine to build on the Alerion hull form by adding a full keel underbody, complementing this with a user friendly Marconi rig. The result is a period looking daysailer that performs in many sea and wind conditions. BELLA LUNA is not only more stable and balanced than the original but showcases French & Webb’s trademark aesthetic and joinery.
Construction
With a nod to modern yacht construction, BELLA LUNA’s classic styled hull is built in composite wood. Epoxy laminated with four alternating layers of mahogany, fir and cedar, the 1-1/8” structural core is sheathed in E-Glass for abrasion, stability and low maintenance. Hull finishes are primed with an epoxy barrier coat and top coated with two part poly-urethane paints. The decks are epoxy fiberglassed with a textured non-skid surface that gives the look of traditional canvas covering. All joinery is laminated out of Sipo mahogany, protected with oil base varnishes. Hardware is bronze, replicated to the original Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. specification. The mast and booms are built of carbon fiber with rigging of stainless steel and vintage covered yacht braid rope. The propulsion system incorporates a 2KW electric motor with a Torquedo lithium battery system that can be trickle charged at the mooring with rollout solar panels, or fast charged when plugged in at the dock. BELLA LUNA is strong and light, and can glide silently back to her mooring under quiet electric power while the sails are being furled, something not possible in Herreshoff ’s day.
