Secrets of Ouzel

It is often said that yachts like this are no longer built in the United States. “That’s simply not true,” responds Peter Wilson, president of MCM Newport, which represented the owners of the sloop Ouzel, launched in November by Rockport Marine. The Maine-based yard specializes in custom builds and the restoration of wooden sailing yachts.

A hallmark of New England boatbuilders is their expertise in cold-molded wood composite construction. This material offers many of the performance and durability advantages of fiberglass, while preserving the warmth, beauty, and even the aroma of natural wood. It is resistant to moisture, weather, and the passage of time, and it absorbs vibration, ensuring a smooth and quiet ride.

Properly built and maintained cold-molded composite hulls can withstand decades of service with minimal structural fatigue. Rockport Marine president Sam Temple notes that this approach is gaining renewed popularity: “I’m pleased, though not surprised, to see growing appreciation for wood-composite construction.”

These qualities ultimately won over the owners. Although highly experienced at sea, they were commissioning their first fully custom yacht. They wanted her builders to embody the great shipbuilding tradition long rooted on the U.S. East Coast, to demonstrate meticulous attention to detail, and to guarantee uncompromising quality. From Rockport, they commissioned the 95-foot sloop Ouzel (“Blackbird”) for long-distance cruising, combining the virtues of classic and modern yachts.

Measuring 28.96 meters in length with a 6.25-meter beam, the yacht’s exterior is what might be called “timeless.” It is a contemporary interpretation of classic design, with gracefully conservative—yet not old-fashioned—hull lines and superstructure. Beneath this elegance lies impressive performance. A modern rig, Park Avenue boom, and high-efficiency keel make Ouzel a powerful cruising yacht that sacrifices neither speed nor style. The result is a carefully considered balance between traditional form and high performance.

Ouzel was designed by Langan Design Partners, another American firm based in Rhode Island. The interior was created by the British studio Mark Whiteley Design. The designers, builders, and project managers held weekly video conferences, gathered regularly at the Rockport Marine yard, and also met individually with the owner. “It’s rewarding to see a project of this quality through from concept to completion, even if it hasn’t always been easy,” Temple shares.

As for the interior, the owner was drawn to Whiteley’s work on the 56-meter yacht Aquarius (Royal Huisman). “Classic, calm, functional” could well be its family motto. Ouzel’s décor follows the same philosophy, defined by restraint and dominated by mahogany.

Wilson is confident that Ouzel will draw attention not only to Rockport Marine’s capabilities, but also to the craftsmanship of American boatbuilders more broadly. “She will certainly turn heads,” he says.