Rockport Marine Launches Ouzel, a 95-Foot Custom Sailing Yacht

Rockport Marine has added a notable new project to its portfolio with the launch of the 95-foot custom sailing yacht Ouzel. Built at the yard in Rockport, Maine, the yacht recently completed sea trials on Penobscot Bay and has moved into the next stage of commissioning. Ouzel is a study in combining classic lines with contemporary engineering and systems, reflecting Rockport Marine’s growing reputation for high-end, highly customized yachts.

Naval architecture for Ouzel was developed by Langan Design Partners of Newport, Rhode Island, while British designer Mark Whiteley contributed both interior and exterior styling. Project coordination and oversight were handled by Marine Construction Management (MCM), and Rockport Marine led construction and final assembly at their Maine facility. Doyle Sails provided the sail inventory used during trials. This cross-Atlantic collaboration brought together specialists in design, interiors, naval architecture and systems integration to realize a single cohesive vision.

From the outset, the design brief emphasized serious offshore passagemaking. Although the profile is unmistakably elegant, performance and comfort over long distances guided many choices in hull form, appendages and rigging. The yacht carries a 12-foot draft and more than 4,500 square feet of upwind sail area—parameters that clearly prioritize upwind performance and stability in open-water conditions over shallow-water access. The working sail plan is intentionally straightforward, composed of a mainsail, Yankee, staysail and a Code Zero, an arrangement chosen to simplify handling during extended cruises while still providing a versatile range of sail options for varied wind conditions.

The combination of a deep keel and a powerful upwind sail area favors a yacht that will point well and make steady progress on ocean passages. For owners focused on reaching remote cruising grounds and higher latitudes, those characteristics matter as much as onboard comfort and systems reliability. Rockport and its design partners balanced those priorities by integrating modern materials and engineering with traditional craftsmanship. The result is a yacht that looks timeless yet benefits from contemporary advances in composite construction, systems integration and onboard technology.

Interior design by Mark Whiteley emphasizes thoughtful use of space and materials to create a warm, livable environment suitable for long passages. While specific cabin layouts and finish selections were customized for the owner, the overall approach favors durability, ergonomic flow and ample storage—practical elements that support extended cruising. Systems and deck arrangements were likewise optimized to reduce crew workload and enhance safety, with a focus on manageable sail handling and robust mechanical systems for high-latitude operations.

For Rockport Marine, Ouzel underscores the yard’s ability to execute complex, large-scale custom builds while maintaining a Maine-based production and finishing process. The company is known for both restoring historic wooden yachts and producing bespoke new sail- and powerboats, and projects of this scale demonstrate its capability to manage internationally collaborative commissions that require advanced composite techniques, precision engineering and coordinated project management.

Sea trials on Penobscot Bay represented an important milestone, serving to validate the yacht’s performance, systems operation and seaworthiness ahead of final commissioning. Trials are an essential part of bringing a custom yacht to operational readiness—allowing the builder, design team and owner to evaluate sail plans, mechanical systems, steering and onboard systems under real conditions and to make any adjustments necessary before delivery.

The coordinated work of Langan Design Partners, Mark Whiteley Design, Marine Construction Management, Doyle Sails and Rockport Marine highlights how modern custom yacht projects often draw on expertise from multiple firms and countries. That collaboration, combined with the builder’s attention to detail and commitment to quality, has produced a yacht that aims to satisfy both demanding passagemaking requirements and the aesthetic expectations of a traditional cruising yacht.

Ouzel now moves through commissioning, final outfitting and owner trials, the next steps that will prepare the yacht for extended voyages and the varied conditions inherent to serious offshore cruising. The project stands as a notable example of contemporary custom yachtbuilding rooted in craftsmanship and careful engineering—qualities increasingly valued by owners seeking capable, elegant vessels for long-range exploration.

Tom Renner

This article was originally published in the September 2026 issue.