The History of Spirit Yachts

The famous British brand that produces wooden classic sailing yachts, was founded by designer and passionate yachtsman Sean McMillan in 1993. Spirit Yachts was his second attempt to develop a business. As a year earlier, the bank had taken over his previous venture, the McMillan Yachts, while Sean even lost his home.

This time, it was different. Sean and his partner Mick Newman assembled the first Spirit 37 in an old farmhouse in Suffolk. This yacht amazed yachting enthusiasts with its elegance and speed and quickly became a significant representation of the brand to the audience.

The founders drew inspiration from classic 1930s boats, using modern woodworking and hull-forming techniques.

Even with numerous orders in the book, Macmillan and Nymen did not leave the farm until life forced them to. In 2003, Spirit Yachts began building a 70-foot hull that couldn’t fit into the old hangar. According to the other version of the story, the police asked the yachtbuilders to find another place for the noisy work. Like this, the shipyard relocated to the Old Wet Dock in downtown Ipswich and called it their new home.

Spirit Yachts became world famous in 2006 with the release of the Casino Royale movie, where James Bond cruised the Grand Canal of Venice on the elegant Spirit 54. After the filming, the yacht sold out, while its creators made a statement — the classics are never out of fashion.

In 2007, Spirit Yachts built the first fully wooden 100-foot Gaia. The yacht was so impressive and fast that inspired an enlarged 111-foot version.

Company status

The crisis of 2008 tested Spirit Yachts. However, the company did survive and even won the British award for success in entrepreneurship.

Production of Spirit Yachts.

The yard has a production area of 1500 sq. m in Ipswich Haven Marina. The company employs 60 people.

Model range

Spirit Yachts builds exclusive wooden sailing yachts from 11m to 34m lengths. There are five ranges: Classic, Deckhouse and Cruising. Apart from that, Spirit superyachts from 100 feet are available. The brand is currently working on powerboats. Each vessel, more than 60 in total, is a work of art with a corresponding value.

Spirit motor boats are a true hunt for the secondary market. An exclusive offering is The Royale and Spirit P70 designs, both of which are motor boats of the highest quality.

In 2018, Spirit Yachts celebrated its 25th anniversary with victories at regattas and the laying of the first hybrid powerboat. For instance, the Spirit 111 has four BMWi batteries, which can charge while sailing.

Features of Spirit Yachts

The names of the woods that make up the brand’s cases sound like music. For example, Oregon pine, cylindrical entandrophragma, Cuban mahogany, and Nutcan cypress. The boats are light and fast, Spirit 46 reaches speeds of up to 20 knots.

A passionate yachtsman Sean McMillan sees sailing racing as a philosophy, so his own Spirit 52′ Flight of Ufford is constantly at the start of another classic regatta. McMillan draws inspiration and ideas for projects from racing and being with the community, this way Spirit Yachts does not need to invite outside designers, they keep everything in-house.