Rockport Marine has reached another significant milestone with its flagship custom sailing yacht, Ouzel, successfully completing sea trials in the waters of Penobscot Bay, Maine. The 29-metre yacht, managed by MCM Newport, is now preparing for delivery following an impressive performance that confirmed the design team’s ambitious performance objectives.
Launched in November 2025, Ouzel is the largest yacht ever built by the renowned Maine shipyard and represents a modern interpretation of a classic pilothouse cutter, blending timeless aesthetics with cutting-edge sailing technology.
A Thoroughbred Under Sail
During several days of sea trials in the Gulf of Maine, Ouzel demonstrated exceptional sailing performance, comfortably achieving cruising speeds of over 12 knots in relatively modest wind conditions.
According to MCM Newport, the yacht proved herself to be a true “sailing thoroughbred”, offering effortless handling, excellent balance and outstanding responsiveness at the helm—qualities that will allow her owners to undertake long-distance exploration and coastal cruising with confidence.
Advanced Wooden Construction
While Ouzel showcases the elegance of a classic wooden yacht, her construction is thoroughly modern.
Built using cold-moulded Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar, combined with carbon fibre reinforcement and a foam-cored plywood-fibreglass deck, the yacht benefits from a lightweight yet incredibly strong structure. This advanced construction method reduces overall displacement while increasing internal volume and minimizing the need for traditional framing.
The result is a yacht that combines classic craftsmanship with contemporary engineering.
Performance-Focused Sail Plan
Designed for both performance and offshore capability, Ouzel carries more than 4,500 square feet of sail upwind.
Her sail wardrobe, developed by Doyle Sails, includes:
- Mainsail
- Yankee jib
- Staysail
- Code Zero headsail for off-wind sailing
This powerful yet versatile rig allows the yacht to perform efficiently across a wide range of sailing conditions.
Designed by Experienced Sailors
The owners, experienced yachtsmen and former owners of a 20-metre Baltic Yachts sailing yacht, commissioned Langan Design to create a vessel inspired by the elegance of traditional pilothouse cutters while incorporating modern naval architecture and high-performance sailing characteristics.
Following the trials, Tom Degrémont, Partner at Langan Design, expressed his satisfaction:
“The impression of power, the speeds we reached, the feeling of control at the helm, the balance of the boat—everything felt exactly like I’d hoped it would feel.”
Contemporary Performance Beneath a Classic Profile
Although Ouzel maintains a graceful classic silhouette, generous overhangs and a low-profile deckhouse, beneath the waterline she is thoroughly modern.
Key features include:
- High-aspect rudder
- Contemporary performance keel
- 3.7-metre draft
- Modern hull geometry optimized for offshore sailing
The result is a yacht that combines traditional beauty with contemporary sailing performance.
Elegant British Interior Design
The interior has been designed by Mark Whiteley, known for acclaimed projects including Aquarius and Audrey the First.
The accommodation blends classic yacht detailing with modern comfort through:
- White timber panelling
- Rich mahogany cabinetry
- Large portholes
- Bright, open living spaces
- Functional contemporary layout
The owners selected Whiteley for his ability to create interiors that balance warmth, practicality and understated luxury.
Long-Range Cruising Capability
Beyond her sailing credentials, Ouzel is equally capable under power.
Powered by an EPA Tier III-compliant diesel engine supported by a modern hydraulic power system, the yacht offers:
- Cruising speeds exceeding 10 knots
- Range of more than 1,000 nautical miles under power
This makes her ideally suited for extended coastal exploration and offshore cruising.
Ready for Adventure
With sea trials successfully completed and delivery imminent, Ouzel stands as an outstanding example of modern custom yacht building—combining traditional craftsmanship, innovative engineering and exceptional sailing performance.
Her owners intend to use the yacht extensively for long-distance cruising, coastal exploration and, potentially, participation in classic sailing regattas, where her blend of timeless elegance and contemporary performance is certain to attract attention.
