Type: Big Class
Eleonora Specifications:
LOA: 162’5″ / 49.50m – LOD: 136’2″ / 41.50m – LWL: – Beam: 26’8″ / 8.12m – Draft: 17’1” / 5.20m – Hull Number: 692 – Hull material: Steel – Designer: N.G. Herreshoff – Current Owner: Private – Year Launched: March 31, 2000 – Built By: Van der Graaf, NL – Gross Displacement: 214 tons – Engine: Baudouin 6R 124SR 460 HP – Flag: United Kingdom (GB) – Location: Marine Traffic
Historical:
Peras Limited – Eleonora is an exact replica of the schooner Westward. Westward was launched on March 31, 1910 (exactly 90 years to the day after Westward was launched) as hull number 692 at the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. in Bristol, Rhode Island, USA. She was arguably one of the most famous and best known racing schooners in the world. She was designed by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, the ‘Wizard of Bristol’, the designer of the America’s Cup defenders which turned back all six challenges from 1893 to 1920. Westward was undoubtedly the fastest schooner in the world in 1910 and in the following years. With Captain Charlie Barr, who was one of the finest racing skippers in the world at her he
lm, she sailed successfully against racing yachts like Britannia, Lulworth, Meteor II, and won numerous trophies. For thirty seven years, Westward had graced the yachting scene and represented all that was best in yacht design and workmanship. Eleonora not only follows Westward’s heritage of big schooners racing but she also offers with her comfort and space unforgettable cruising and relaxation experience.
Painstakingly planned and meticulously executed, this stunning reincarnation was the vision of Dutch entrepreneurs and connoisseurs of classic vessels who is dedicated to bringing back to life the grande dames of the Golden Age of yachting. With the assistance of the Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collection at the MIT Museum in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Eleonora designers and builders were able to pay close attention to the original Herreshoff Manufacturing Company drawings every step of the way. Truly a replica of Westward, Eleonora has exactly the same lines as the original, and was constructed using the same materials.
The passion of Eleonora’s current owner is to perpetuate the spirit of Westward and to bring to twenty-first-century admirers the amazing experience of seeing, sailing, and racing on such an exquisite 160-foot schooner. Since building her, his ongoing mission has been to make Eleonora even more faithful to Westward. Through careful study of Herreshoff’s plans and original Beken of Cowes photos of Westward, he has made alternations to the sailplan, including installing a new jackyards topsail, some new forsails, and a spinnaker pole based on Westward’s. New deck fittings and a classic tender have been added, and the dimensions of new spars have been adjusted.
Eleonora was built at the Van der Graaf shipyard in Holland and was launched in March 2000. Since then, she has successfully participated in a number of classic sailing regattas and hosted on board a number of high profile guests during her charter activities. Eleonora shows astonishing beauty under sail, her slender hull cutting a pathway through the sea, an elegant combination of beauty and power.
After almost hundred years after the launch of Westward, we are again able to appreciate the awesome majesty and grandeur of this superb classic sailing yacht underway, sails filled as she surges forward, her white wake streaming behind.
With no sacrifice to luxurious standards of comfort, her staterooms and the entire interior display the ambience and elegance of another age.
Interior
Eleonora’s interior is traditional, following N.G. Herreshoff’s plans, fully panelled in mahogany. She sleeps eight guests in three spacious double cabins and one twin cabin. The bathrooms are fitted out in marble. Air conditioning and heating is individually controlled in each cabin.
Owner’s Stateroom – Accessible via the companionway from the deck it occupies the full width of the yacht’s aft and is well illuminated by portholes and a large skylight. Spacious and light, this stateroom is fitted with large double berth, fitted wardrobes, dressing table and seating area with an office desk.
The adjoining luxurious bathroom includes a bathtub with a shower.
Port Double Stateroom – On the port side with access from the companionway, this cabin comprises a large double berth, office desk, wardrobe, bedside cabinet drawers and en suite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet.
Starboard Stateroom – Amidships with access from the companionway, with two single berths, wardrobe, drawers, bedside cabinet and desk, and en suite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet.
Port Stateroom – Amidships with access from the companionway with large double berth, wardrobe, chest of drawers, bureau and settee, and en suite bathroom with shower, basin and toilet.
Saloon – Amidships with access from the companionway. The saloon spans the full beam of the yacht, is well illuminated by a large skylight and portholes, and has mahogany dining table seating up to eight guests.
On starboard side are card tables, settee and state of the art entertainment system. At the entrance is a bar with refrigerator.
Captain’s Cabin – On the starboard side, opposite the owner’s stateroom, it comprises a single berth, wardrobe and chest of drawers, en suite bathroom with basin, shower and toilet. The captain’s cabin is located next to the navigation station equipped with state of the art instruments and technology.
Galley – Forward of the saloon, accessible from the crew companionway. Eleonora’s large all stainless steel galley is fully equipped with modern appliances including a large oven, microwave, grill, coffee machine, ice maker, extractor, dishwasher, refrigeration equipment, and ample storage space.
Crew Accommodation – Eight crew berths in three cabins forward, all accessible through a separate crew companionway, with two bathrooms with basin, shower and toilet. A crew mess with television is situated in the crew area as well as the laundry and storage space.
Provenance. (The Wall of Remembrance – The Owners, Crew & Notable Guest):
Owner/Guardian: (2000) – Ed Kastelein
Owner/Guardian: Zbynek Zak
Resources
Peras Limited
Marine Traffic
The Francis Russell Hart Nautical Collection
Tom Cunliffe – Yachts and Yarns