Spirit 76, NAZGUL OF FORDELL

Broker’s Comments

NAZGUL was built for her current owner in 2008, to his specific specifications, with the specific purpose of fast family cruising and for use in regattas in the Mediterranean. She has fulfilled this role perfectly, providing a fantastic platform for family cruising and as a very successful regatta yacht, participating and cup-collecting in a swathe of Mediterranean regattas including the Panerai. She has also competed in, and won, Antigua Classic Week.

In 2019, her owner decided to return her to her builders, Spirit Yachts, for a refit—aimed at upgrading the yacht based on his experience with her, modernising her systems, and enhancing her usability in both her cruising and regatta roles.

Work undertaken included the replacement of her main engine with a larger Yanmar unit, providing reliable cruising under power at circa 9 knots. At the same time, her power generation and storage systems were improved with a new Mastervolt high-output alternator on the main engine, along with the fitting of new Mastervolt lithium batteries and a Mastervolt lithium control system. The generator was also replaced with a new Fischer Panda unit, and soundproofing was improved in the machinery spaces.

This change, together with the installation of new Webasto air conditioning, made it possible to cool the yacht on hot Mediterranean nights without the need to run the generator.

Her carbon spar and boom were also fully serviced, with new standing rigging and high-load fittings installed. It was also cosmetically tidied at the same time.

Spirit Yachts also improved her interior layout to enlarge a double aft guest cabin and made a number of other subtle enhancements throughout the yacht.

During this period, all the typical niggles found on a ten-year-old yacht were sorted out.

NAZGUL is a flush-decked Spirit, striking in appearance and a superb performer under sail. She is a very special Spirit of Tradition yacht—both practical and comfortable for family cruising.

Owner’s Comments

I have always admired the sleek lines of 1930s sailing yachts, and after several years of looking for a yacht, I still had not found the right modern alternative—until I saw the Spirit 70’ GHOST at the Southampton Boat Show in 2005. She was everything I had dreamed of, and more.

The alternatives I saw were typically quite formulaic, smaller, and simply not as beautiful. The combination of mahogany ring frames, interior cabinetry, and on-deck brightwork was simply stunning. Matched with teak decks, cedar planking, and an epoxy-coated hull, Spirit Yachts are remarkably light and nimble for their size. With no structural bulkheads required, the internal layout possibilities are virtually limitless.

Sean McMillan, the founder and chief designer of Spirit Yachts, was onto a winner with his completely bespoke designs. I looked at modern GRP yachts too, before choosing to work with Sean. And so, in late 2005, we sat down together to pen our joint vision for a Mediterranean and Caribbean cruising yacht that could also compete in regattas, with near-perfect proportions and lines.

I wanted 10/10/20—speed under power, upwind under sail, and downwind. NAZGUL comes very close to this requirement, particularly following her 2022 refit. She has clocked over 11 knots close-hauled, 18.6 knots downwind under asymmetric spinnaker, and she motors comfortably at over 9 knots.

We specified a longer carbon Park Avenue boom and a 110-foot carbon mast with rod rigging to provide maximum mainsail area and power from the custom-designed North Sails. A carbon rudder was also fitted for nimble handling. She was launched and delivered to my personal mooring in August 2008.

NAZGUL is a proven regatta winner in the Spirit of Tradition class, taking victory in the Panerai Series regattas in Antibes in 2011, and again as the most successful multiple trophy winner at the 2014 Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta—securing the Ticonderoga Trophy, the Spirit Yachts Class, and the Spirit of Tradition Class, beating the J Class yacht RAINBOW.

She has also competed in the Cannes Régates Royales, the Mahón Copa del Rey, and the Spirit Cup in Palma. NAZGUL performs best in heavier conditions, with breeze consistently above 10 knots. Her regatta wins in Antibes and Antigua were achieved in 20–30 knot conditions.

In October 2019, I had NAZGUL shipped to Spirit Yachts for a major refit. The objective was to enhance the cruising experience by installing a more powerful, fuel-efficient, and quieter engine, along with a new variable-speed generator to charge Lithium-Ion batteries—eliminating the need for a generator to run noisily 24/7 when air conditioning was required. Improved sound insulation was also fitted to further reduce noise levels.

The air conditioning system was replaced for more efficient and quieter operation. Today, NAZGUL’s air conditioning can run for periods without the generator. The guest cabin layout was improved and enlarged, with new locker space and a larger double berth. A new Bluetooth audio system by Fusion was installed for saloon and cockpit entertainment.

The mast, rigging, boom, and vang were all serviced, along with the hydraulics and winches. The route of the anchor chain was improved, and a new, deeper chain locker has increased the speed and ease of anchoring. All heads and showers were either serviced or replaced. A new Takacat tender—easily deployed and retrieved—is powered by a choice of 2hp or 20hp outboards.

Designed to be a high-performance, comfortable cruising, regatta-winning head-turner—with beautifully proportioned lines, low freeboard, and lavish varnished mahogany brightwork topsides—NAZGUL has delivered. For her size, she is remarkably light compared with modern designs using metal or composites, and her performance under both engine and sail reflects that.

She offers all the grace and charm of an early 20th-century yacht, combined with the ‘bluewater’ cruising conveniences of the 21st century. We have lived aboard during hot summers for over six weeks at a time, while cruising and anchoring extensively in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. She is a delight to sail as an owner-captain, and can be cruised short-handed—either with just one other experienced sailor or with a competent crew/stew.

Air conditioning, a watermaker, ice maker, modern AV equipment, and a well-equipped, spacious galley all add to the experience. With separate crew quarters accessible via a dedicated companionway forward of the galley, the privacy of the owner and guests is maintained.

After many happy years of cruising and racing, I feel we’ve done it all. I am now retired, with a luxurious house in the Balearic Islands. My children have grown up with NAZGUL—our youngest was just eight years old when she was delivered, and she is now in her mid-twenties. My other daughter is now raising my grandchildren.

We all agree that our time with the yacht has been wonderful, but the moment has come to pass her on to new owners. We will miss her deeply and will always look back with great fondness on the years we’ve shared aboard her.