Ness Yawl

The Ness Yawl is long, lean, light and fast. Although most owners want a reasonable carrying capacity within a limited length, for some the preference is for a longer, narrower hull, that will slide along with very little effort in the lightest breeze. Such a craft can offer the sheer delight of lively sailing and can be a revelation to sailors who expect little more than workboat performance. Windward ability is exceptional; the hull lifts lightly to short steep seas and the flare and buoyant ends keep the crew relatively dry.

The moderate beam and long waterline, similar in proportion to the Ness Yoles which inspired the design, mean that she can be rowed single-handed, and fast with two (or more) rowers.

The original sailing rig is a large balanced lug foresail with a small mizzen. The 102 ft² – 9.5m² foresail is quite a generous area however for a light craft of this size.  With a quick reefing system it gives excellent performance in a wide range of wind speeds.

The mizzen does not add much power but can facilitate the management of the boat in many circumstances, especially single-handed. It enables the boat to heave to quietly while setting sail, reefing, pausing for a snack, etc. With an optional mainmast step, the mizzen can be left ashore when going for a short sail.

For ultimate simplicity, there is an 80ft² – 7.4m² auxiliary sail, for use in a fishing or general workboat.

A gunter sloop rig is also available. This is more of a handful for a single-hander, but windward performance is superb. Compared with the balance lug, the sloop will point a little higher, and allow more potential for tweaking the sail shape.

For all the performance potential, the design is so versatile that it can be suitable for a variety of purposes. An early Ness Yawl, the Gruoch, was borrowed for the first Great Glen Raid; she so impressed the organizer, Charles-Henri, that he immediately ordered one for himself. (Called Alba, she is now Albannach).

Construction and fitting out options are the same as for the Tirrik and Whilly Tern, with built-in buoyancy, outboard well, side benches etc.