The Lutteur is an ex navy harbour tug which operated in Cherbourg from 1963 to 2001. She is currently in La Ciotat awaiting restoration. Naval Architecture, structural and mechanical engineering by Butchdesign.

When launched in 2000, Georgia was the largest single masted yacht that had ever been built. New ground was broken in many areas, including the sizes of much of the sail hanbdling equipment, the lifting daggerboard and the innovative stern thruster installation.

Due to the enormous amount of work involved, Butch teamed up with Paolo Scanu, and they handled the project as a joint effort. Paolo handled the structural engineering and dealt with Lloyds Register and the MCA, while Butch did the lines plan, rig and appendages. The division was somewhat blurred, as Paolo helped generate the initial computer model of the hull surface and Butch engineered the structure of the bow.

Later on in the project Butch had the opportunity to spend three months at Alloy Yachts in Auckland to help their in-house designers develop the on-board systems, winches and the detailed engineering for the skeg and keel lift & crashbox arrangement. As well as being interesting and enjoyable, this experience of developing engineering details in conjunction with the people who had to make it all work was an invaluable learning process. More>>

 

Merrymaid is a 34.75 metre cutter designed by Charles Nicholson and built at the Gosport yard of Camper & Nicholsons in 1904. Her racing career spanned many years, but after the second world war her rig was taken out, her lead keel removed and she became a houseboat on the East coast of England.

In 2002 restoration began in Chantier Classic Yacht in Port Pin Rolland, close to Toulon, with technical advice and design services provided by Butchdesign.

The work covered many aspects. In conjunction with Philippe Lechevalier, the original drawings were updated and revised, with an all new interior (following the original layout) and modern engineering details. Butchdesign monitored the hull and deck shape throughout the restoration and provided practical help such as proposing subcontractors, and suggesting techniques appropriate for the work, using their extensive experience of classic yacht restoration programmes.