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• Lying: Costa Brava, Spain
• Year: 1904
• Length: 104'11" (32.00 metres)

The "Rosalind" is a hundred years old, yet she is at the height of her splendour, thanks to the advances of naval cybernetics, having recovered her original rigging after several previous transformations. The Rosalind has now been a treasured part of the Godó family patrimony for more than 50 years.
This yawl, first launched in 1904, was designed by the architect H. T. Stow for her first owner, Charles Hellyer, and built by Stow & Son in Shoreham ( England ). We know she had a twin sister launched a mere two months previously. First named Silvia , she was later renamed Mohawk II and after a further 9 owners was acquired by the Norwegian Navy in 1953, where she still serves as a cadet training ship.
Rosalind was also to pass through the hands of many owners, all of whom made their own minor modifications. Her first owner, Charles Hellyer rigged her as a gaff, three foresails and a spinnaker. She was sold to a Mr. Humphery in 1908 and four years later was acquired by Oswald G. Maguiac, a former member of the Royal Yacht Squadron, who had electric lighting installed in 1921 before selling her to Aubrey Fletcher, in 1934. Fletcher had Rosalind's first engine fitted, a three-cylinder Parsons paraffin engine. Being a pure sailing yacht, the engine's drive shaft and propeller had to be positioned to starboard, a set-up which was maintained until 1996.
In 1936 Rosalind was sold again, though no further modifications were to be made until 1948, when she was fitted with a six-cylinder Perkins diesel engine. She came to Spain in the 1950s, having been acquired by the Godó family, with which she has since spent more than half her life.
The first change made by the new owners was to change the yawl rigging for that of a ketch. Bermuda sails took the place of the original rig, Rosalind thereby losing some of her total sail surface (from 4,305 to 4,172 square feet) but gaining in manoeuvrability. The present owners have also made three changes of engine, first a Belgius, followed by a Kelvin and finally a 260 hp Volvo Penta, which continues to thrive 20 years later.
Rosalind had her biggest refitting works to date in the winter of 1996-1997, when she was rebuilt and returned to her original yawl rigging. She thereby continued as she had originally been launched in 1904: a Stow & Sons-built yawl, a milestone in boat-building history.

The Rebuilding Work
Repair of a leak on the keel led to the total rebuilding of Rosalind. Inspection of the keel bolts revealed the poor condition of the vessel's wood. The spectacular rebuilding operation took place through the winter of 1996-1997, instigated by Javier Godó, the Count of Godó. The work was completed in record time: 7 months, instead of 20 as had at first been planned, and she was ready for summer sailing.
After lengthy deliberations with Godó, Rosalind's skipper Javier Ayala undertook numerous trips to England to consult the best naval architects. The project was a labour of love and Javier Godó had two full-scale models of Rosalind prepared, one with the ketch rigging and the other with the original rig sails. The decision was then taken to restore the original rig and the decision has proven correct, returning Rosalind to her original balanced elegance.
Macario Gracia of Monty Nautic said that "Not even we ourselves could ever have imagined that within 7 months we would be relaunching Rosalind with a completely rebuilt hull, interior layout, deck, masts and helm." The repaired keel (weighing in at 33 tons, was attached to the hull by new K-500 alloy bolts (nickel, carbon and copper) which were much stronger than the previous copper bolts. A new rudder was designed with a central opening for the propeller instead of the side opening for the engine transmission shaft. The rudder frame post and blade, are of stainless steel, the blade having been given a teak covering.
The finest quality wood was used for the rebuilding of this unique craft. Cuban mahogany for the interiors, corridors, saloon and owner's cabin. Oak for the beams, Oregon pine for the new spars, teak for the deckhouses and deck, and American walnut for the guest cabins. All in all, 24 tons of oak were required, 10 tons of teak, 2.5 tons of mahogany and 1 ton of marine plywood.
Rosalind was totally rebuilt, save the hull casing, which was conserved thanks to the excellent quality of the original oak. Finally, the vessel was fully restored to its original form.

A boat dating from 1904 with the technology of 2004
The challenge facing Medenisa was to apply 21st century electronics to a hull dating from 100 years earlier. Company representative, Nicolás Molina, described the process: part of the work involved linking the entire multifunctional system, including radar, plotter, GPS and automatic pilot to a central PC type computer, adding the television and radio receiver. As Molina says, –although individual pieces of equipment were available for all the required functions, this was the first time in Spain that they had all been brought together in a single processor.”
For the boat's electronics needs it was decided to use the SW & N program based on Navionics charts. Other systems were then integrated in addition to a scanner and the PC printer (Windows) which was needed for the boat's administrative programs. All this advanced electronic navigation equipment is skilfully played down by bridge furnishings which maintain the original design.

Hull & Deck

Burma teak on oak frame
Elam deadwoods
Copper and bronze fastenings
Teak laid decks
330t lead ballast
Long keel
Displacement hull

Engines & Technology

Volvo TAMD 102A 238hp diesel engine
Onan 16kw generator
2 x Sea Recovery watermakers
1000l fuel capacity
Condaria air-conditioning
2000l water capacity with seawater desalination system

Sails & Rigging

Gaff rigged yawl
4978m2 sail area
All sails by Hood (1996/1997)
Rigging by Harry Spencer, Cowes, UK
All new spars in 1997

Interior

Having consulted several naval architects, Godó decided to change the interior layout. The only area to remain practically untouched was the master cabin situated astern, with its two elevated bunks, two benches, an office area and exquisitely decorated bathroom.
The entrance deckhouse is in teak and slightly higher than the original. This area houses the chart table and the electronic navigation system. From here, a beautiful stairway, the first indication of the superb woodwork found throughout the vessel's interior, leads into the interior quarters

To the port side of the saloon a U-shaped settee was installed with a corner-set mahogany table with room for 6 diners. This area is well lit thanks to a large skylight which highlights the fine wood of the walls, storage areas and impressive library.
The area fore of the main mast is reserved for the crew, considerably scaled down in number from the original requirements. This area houses the skipper's cabin, across from which is situated the well-equipped and ample kitchen, next to the crew cabin with its four bunks and bathroom. This area also has a direct exit to the bow deckhouse.
The bow houses two cabins for guests, decorated in American walnut, each with its own bathroom and decorated in keeping with the classic elegance of the Rosalind.

Interior finished in Cuban Mahogany
Cockpit with chart table and navigation instrument panel
Dining for 6 in saloon with “U” shaped sofas
Owners cabin with 2 independent beds, dressing room and en-suite
2 guest cabins with 2 independent beds and en-suite bathrooms
Captains cabin
Crew cabin with 4 bunks and toilet
Galley

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