"White Heather" 93ft (28m) LOD Classic Ketch Lying Imperia, Italy
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History and Refits
White HeatherShe was first launched in 1952 under the name of Aries for the tobacco tycoon R.J. Reynolds. She was designed for long North Atlantic and Arctic cruising, and given her extremely seaworthy structure and voluminous hull form, which gives her interior space and comforts that are normally not found in many racing classics of this size. In 1959 Aries was donated to the American Geographic Society and served as an oceanographic research vessel. Little is known of her history in the late 1960’s and 70’s. 1980, Halifax, Canada: Dentist Dr. Gene Jensen bought White Heather and decided to adopt the yacht for charter purposes. Subsequently, the boat was stripped down to a bare hull after which she was built up again to incorporate a more practical interior for guests and all new systems. It was also then that the gaff mainsail was replaced with a taller and bigger Bermudian rig. During this restoration high quality and safety standards were followed to ensure continuing Lloyd's Register 100 A1 classification.
White Heather then operated as a charter vessel during the 80's until she was dismasted in a Caribbean hurricane in 1989. Financial problems forced the owner to sell the boat, after which she was transported to the Netherlands. The new owner started with the planning and designs for a new restoration, which were never executed because the Dutch fiscal authorities claimed her. The current owner then bought White Heather when she was auctioned in 1995 with the plan to fully restore her in the Netherlands so that she could be operated trouble free for the years to come. 1996/97, The Netherlands: The restoration was conducted with a number of carefully selected Dutch specialist companies; layout and a larger sail plan were prepared by Olivier van Meer. The objectives during the restoration were clear; entirely new systems, wiring, piping, appliances, engines, crew quarters and two luxury en-suite guest cabins instead of four in the area forward of the saloon. All was to be carried out with the highest standards Dutch yacht building can offer and the yacht was to incorporate the highest level of comfort possible while maintaining all the style and warmth of a classic vessel. A year and a half was spent from initial planning to sea trials. The new systems, exterior and interior modifications are listed below Internal Systems
External
Further Refits / Dry Dockings1998, Serbim, Marseille:Dry docking for new antifouling. Rudder and shaft check before departure to Caribbean. Servicing of all seacocks. 2000, Serbim, Marseille:Wood repairs to keel deadwood after damage in Caribbean. Antifouling, bilge pump servicing.
2002, Manoel Island Yacht Yard, Malta:Full reconditioning of rudder and rudder stock and steering gear, replaced any soft wood. Reinforced the rudder stock entry horn timber and attachment of the gland. Replaced rudder skeg and reconditioned heel fitting after mooring damage
Further activities included antifouling and topside painting. Also, following the slipping period the internal steel structure and inner planking in the lazarette, aft bilge and tank hold were professionally painted. Both bilge pumps were replaced with larger versions. In the past two years the steel exhaust systems of both the propulsion engine and the generators have been replaced with corrosion and erosion free flexible exhaust systems, silencers and water separators. 2004, At Manoel Island Yacht Yard, Malta:Antifouling and improvement of anode system. Reconditioning of stern shaft. Topside painting. |
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