Saint Barbara, a cruising and racing sloop, was designed by Erik Sponberg for a client that wanted to be heavily involved in both the design and construction of the boat. The client supplied CNC cut components for the boat as construction progressed.

The hull was built using cedar strips over which was laid a carbon fiber skin on both the inside and the outside. This assured a lightweight, strong structure. An experimental foresail handling system was designed by the client and Sponberg to allow total sail management from the cockpit. Water ballast tanks provide an increased righting moment when  conditions merit.

An innovative dagger keel and dagger rudder designed by the client allows shoal draft in shallow waters. Van Dams and the client together built the plug for the custom carbon fiber mast. Many features on the boat are experimental in nature and the client is enjoying playing with the different systems and perfecting performance.

The client chose Van Dam for their CAD capabilities, their long experience in building unique boats and their willingness to work with him on his ideas. After launch and winning her first race, the owner of the boat comments that she is “silky smooth through the water, the smoothest sailboat I have ever sailed”.