·

The Beast in Halifax

Ngoni

Sept 27, 2018

Ngoni 2

 

\

 

 

 

 

 

NGONI – extreme sail in Halifax

The Halifax waterfront has been attracting more and more large yachts in recent years. However, a recent visitor was a real show stopper. NGONI has to be one of the most extreme sailing yachts in the world.

“Build me a beast. Don’t build me a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” That was reportedly the owner’s request to the Royal Huiseman yard in the Netherlands. There is no doubting the yard, as well as designers Dubois Naval Architects and interior designers Rick Baker delivered in spades. With her slim hull, reverse shear and rounded plumb bow, NGONI is striking from every angle.

NGONI’s aluminum hull is 190’ overall, with a beam of 30’ and draws 17’ with her 100t keel raised and 26’ with it down. The mast soars 247’, spreads a 9,182 square foot mainsail and is one of the largest carbon spars ever built. For comparison the clearance under the Angus L MacDonald bridge is 153‘.

Ngoni 3The deckhouse is moulded glass and the smooth foredeck conceals a Williams Diesel Jet 565 tender, as well as a Bombard C3 inflatable for the crew. There is also a spa pool, emptied when sailing.

Reported to cost in the $50,000,000 range, the attention to detail and the workmanship are incredible. NGONI was the last yacht designed by the late Ed Dubois. There are more details at www.royalhuisman.com .

Of course, you don’t need a superyacht to visit the city and continued improvements on the waterfront mean we see a steady stream of visitors aboard all manner of yachts throughout the season. In the fall, yachts migrating south from central Canada can be found waiting for a good weather window to head south. Being able to tie up right in the heart of the city is very attractive for both locals and visitors.

Thank you to TJ Maguire of Develop Nova Scotia for the pictures.

Details on Halifax waterfront facilities can be found at:

http://my-waterfront.ca/getting-here/marine/halifax/
www.developns.ca

5 photos:
Ngoni 1,2,3,4 by TJ Maguire
Visitors at Museum by G. Cairns

 Ngoni 4Visitors at Museum Wharf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video Gallery

Neptunus 650F Review

Neptunus 650F 400

By Andy Adams

Over the years Canadian Yachting has had the pleasure of doing several boat review articles on new Neptunus models and we are familiar with the qualities that Neptunus is famous for. They have all been exceptional yachts, but this is the one I would most want to own myself. It’s a personal choice and a matter of taste as to whether you would prefer to have a sedan express model or a flybridge but in my opinion, the flybridge layout offers some wonderful attributes.

We met with Neptunus Managing Director Jan Willem De Jong this past fall to take the new Neptunus 650F out in Lake Ontario. 

Read More

Destinations

The Other Virgin Islands

Sunset off St John

By Mark Stevens

I was first seduced by the United States Virgin Islands during a ferry ride from St. Thomas to Tortola to begin one of our earliest British Virgin Islands charters nearly twenty years ago.

A perfect sunset off St. John with St. Thomas views for backdrop.

Clearing Pillsbury Sound, surrounded by voluptuous emerald mountains as the ferry sliced through royal blue waters, I was struck by the unspoiled ambiance of St. John, the island gliding past our starboard beam and the irresistible charm of a village called Cruz Bay visible from our quarter stern.

Read More

Lifestyle