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Why Wood

Wood is the only natural, sustainable boat building material offering beauty, a favourable strength to weight ratio and durability.  Wood is at the heart of every Spirit yacht.

Spirit Yachts’ timeless modern classic design style comes hand in hand with the warm, elegant finish provided by high quality timber and skilled craftsmanship.

The exceptional flexibility offered by wood means it can be easily shaped and formed; it bends and moves with changes in heat and moisture and flexes where other materials might break.  Not only aesthetically beautiful, wood can withstand the elements and provides excellent insulation, both thermal and sound, due to its impressive vibration absorption characteristics.

The wood epoxy composite construction employed by Spirit Yachts offers a strength-to-weight ratio on a par with carbon fibre and provides a greater tensile strength than any other form of hull construction.

Spirit Yachts is passionate about the environmental sustainability of its wood and is meticulous in sourcing the highest quality timber solely from responsibly managed forests and regulated suppliers.  The question of what to do with yachts when they reach their eventual end of life is being asked more frequently.  Unlike GRP or carbon boats, wooden yachts can be stripped of their component parts and along with the remaining timber they can be re-used or recycled.

Spirit is renowned for its exceptional finish, but a common misconception is the maintenance associated with varnish.  Conventional varnish is no longer used on a Spirit yacht.  Modern, quick-drying products that are efficient to apply and deliver a quality finish are employed with proven, successful results.

Sustainability

Sustainability

“One of the best ways to address climate change is to use more wood, not less. Every wood substitute – including steel, plastic and cement – requires far more energy to produce than lumber.” Dr. Patrick Moore, co-founder of Greenpeace.

Maximum strength,<br>minimal weight

Maximum strength,
minimal weight

Wood is a natural composite of cellulose fibres embedded in an intricate matrix, which resists compression and provides an impressive weight to strength ratio.

Beauty

Beauty

Naturally beautiful above and below deck, wood has a tactile finish and a unique, organic warmth. The highest quality timber, enhanced by Spirit’s fine craftsmanship, creates truly exceptional yachts.

“Wood is the most beautiful, strong and flexible material for yacht construction and it is at the heart of everything we do at Spirit”

- Spirit Yachts CEO and head designer Sean McMillan