Trade fairs are particularly worthwhile for shipyards if they can actually show off their yachts. Not always easy to realise with supersailors. The owner of "Linnea Aurora" boarded the Truly Classic 128 "Grace III" from the SES shipyard in Tuzla during the Monaco Yacht Show in September 2021 - and chose the same site for his almost 40 metre long TC 128.
Andre Hoek's successful semi-custom platform
The Truly Classic line is the creation of Andre Hoek. The designer from Edam in the Netherlands created a crack that bore the same name on the transom in 1994, was 65 feet long and also went to Pete Townshend, the guitarist and songwriter of The Who. The original model followed the following pattern: long overhangs, a pronounced deck step, a wood-panelled deckhouse and a fast aluminium hull with modern appendages.
Truly Classic: Retro classics from 51 to 128 feet
No two retro classics are the same. "The idea behind the Truly Classic concept is that customers build their new yacht on an existing, proven hull design where most of the design decisions have already been made," explains Andre Hoek. The Truly Classics are built by different shipyards, with customised interior and deck layouts, draught and sail plan. Hoek and his team's range starts with the Truly Classic 51, two deckhouses are available from 78 feet.
The Truly Classic 90 being built by Shipborn is an extremely interesting project. A group of students are fitting out a ready-painted aluminium hull with a hybrid drive and fully automatic bathing platform on their own initiative and on a specially enclosed building site in Utrecht.
A Swedish designer worked below deck
In addition to "Grace III", "Linnea Aurora" has three other sister ships: The first TC 128, "Atalante", was built by Claasen Jachtbouw in the Netherlands, "Vijonara" and "Halekai" were built by Pendennis in Cornwall. In contrast to the 39.30 metre "Grace III", "Linnea Aurora" has a different layout: the owner's cabin is located aft, as on her SES sister, but there is still space for a smaller cabin and lounge behind the engine room on the latest TC 128. There is no second full-width saloon in front, but two guest cabins, the galley and the crew area for five people. In addition to the forward deckhouse with a table for ten, there is an aft deckhouse, which is classically intended for navigation. Daniel Östman from Stockholm was entrusted with the decor below deck.
Hoek Design informs that "Linnea Aurora" is primarily designed for sailing with the family and should be able to master fast, comfortable overseas passages and perform well on the regatta course. "Grace III", which is for sale, has a 53 metre high mast and a sail area of 794 square metres with mainsail, Yankee and staysail.
