INTRODUCTION
Fresh off the drawing board of the renowned Stephens Waring Yacht Design in 2024, WISP is a fresh take on a gentleman’s/woman’s day sailer. WISP continues the legacy of the SWYD Spirit of Tradition (SoT) yachts, where classic design meets contemporary innovation and performance. Constructed by Artisan Boatworks in Rockport, ME, WISP incorporates clever, modern design and engineering solutions to ensure a swift and efficient yacht wrapped in a traditionally beautiful veneer. A gracefully balanced hull reminiscent of mid-20th-century cruiser-racers along with elegant overhangs that echo historic classic yachts will have you turning heads in every harbor. Don’t be fooled by her sheep’s clothing though, the owner’s prerogative and design demand was for impressive light-air performance as well as a weekender-capable interior - and that’s just what was delivered. Offered now just ~12 months after she was launched, WISP presents a unique opportunity for a buyer to purchase a nearly-new boat at a fraction of the new-build price, and without the build time.
BROKER COMMENTS
WISP appeals to me as a more modern and more appealing iteration of the Friendship 40’s. Where the Friendship boats fell short, WISP picks up the slack - the performance is not just impressive but surprising - especially in lighter air where her slippery lines, light displacement, and efficient rig really shine. The cockpit is cleverly designed with modern sail-handling equipment to allow for true singlehanded sailing, with all controls easily accessible from a sitting position behind the helm. This is true even for the downwind gennaker and it sets her apart from other boats in this class. What really impressed me was that SWYD managed to squeeze in an inviting interior with standing headroom and enough space and comfort systems that you wouldn’t think twice about weekending onboard - this is rare in a 39 ft SY with classic lines such as this (which often feel much smaller inside than their LOA would suggest). The build quality is exactly what one might expect from a small, pedigreed artisan boatbuilder in Maine.
DECK AND HULL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
Cold molded construction utilizing Cedar + E-glass & epoxy for the hull, Douglas Fir for the frames. The deck is laid in teak over a composite utilizing a foam core sandwiched with wood & E-glass which enhances structural integrity and rigidity. The superstructure is marine ply + E-glass. Bulkheads are of Okoume marine ply. Floor timbers are integral with laminated frames, floors of Mahogany and Douglas Fir.
There is a hull tunnel in the forward section which accommodates a Sleipner 24V bow thruster.
On deck, WISP offers a sophisticated, dual-purpose cockpit: a plush, upholstered area for lounging forward with a dedicated sailing zone aft.
Guests will enjoy the plush upholstered cockpit seating around a drop-leaf table that conceals wine cooler and glasses storage. Since all sailing controls are run aft of the helm to the ‘sailing cockpit’, this guest cockpit is clutter-free and safely isolated from loaded sheets and lines.
DECK HARDWARE and RIGGING
With her moderate draft and generous sail area WISP is designed for outstanding performance and for the ability to shift gears quickly, even when sailing solo.
The Solent rig includes a working jib and a large, multi-purpose reaching sail (each on fixed furlers) to ensure easy of handling as well as adaptability throughout a wide range of conditions.
The Moore Brothers two-spreader carbon mast is supported by nitric rod standing rigging. The carbon furling boom is equipped with an electro-hydraulic vang and an integrated jibe-preventer line. There are soft LED lights to provide ambiance in the cockpit.
The rig is managed via advanced sailing controls and clever deck hardware solutions including an under-deck mainsheet trim system with a reverse-purchase hydraulic cylinder, oversized Harken electric winches, and an ergonomic boom-furling mainsail system - all operated via push-button controls mounted at the helm position.
Furlex provided the electric through-deck furling gear for the jib, as well as the stemhead-mounting for the asymmetric reaching sail.
Mainsheet trim is handled by an under-deck system featuring a reverse-purchase 1:3 hydraulic cylinder that’s driven by automatic two-speed operation – this enhances efficiency in jibes and commands fine-tuning under load.
To allow for cruising without cluttering deck operations or the beautiful classic hull lines, there is a stow-away/ swing-out anchor launcher equipped with a gas-spring assist. This keeps all of the equipment below deck in the forward locker while not in use. An electric windlass belowdecks handles the heavy lifting.
