Alden “Desiderata” Specifications:
LOA: 66’0″ / 20.11m – LOD: – LWL: – Beam: 14’03/ 4.35m – Draft: 7’04 / 2.25m – Ballast: – Displacement: *28.94 tons – Sail Area: – Yard Number: – Design No: 0756-E – Hull material: Wood – Rig: Cutter Rigged Ketch – Designer: Alden – Built by: USA – Year Built: 1975 – Restored By: – Current Name: Desiderata – Original Owner: – Contract Cost: – Current Owners Website – Sail Number:
Historical:
Desiderata Website – S/Y Desiderata is a sister to Malabar XIII – originally designed by naval architect John G. Alden in 1945. Known romantically as the ‘Last of the Malabars‘, they have a distinguished historical record in ocean racing. John Alden’s last personally owned racing yacht was Malabar XIII.
Ketch-rigged for efficiency and easy handling under sail, 66′ Desiderata is designed for pure speed during regatta racing. The Malabar XIII was a war baby – first constructed when materials were hard to find; but nevertheless, the design excelled in the 1948 Bermuda Race and 1951 Transatlantic Race.
The Malabars have a permanent place in yachting history; Desiderata was one of only five to be built to design number 0756, and one of two ketch designs to be personally raced by Alden. You can find her specifications here.
Desiderata was built in 1975 in the USA, and sailed by her builder around the world – culminating in New Zealand. She was then purchased by an Australian who cruised her throughout the Pacific.
Known Racing History:
Known Restoration History:
Rebuilt in 1975
Interior in 1997
2013 Refit in Clarke’s Court Bay, Grenada, West Indies
Provenance (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):
Owner/Guardian: Captain Stuart Armstrong and First Mate Julia Neustein
