The Antrim 49, Rapid Transit

The second sailing vessel to be launched from Berkeley Marine Center is a canting-keel, Antrim 49 racing yacht. This is a new design for renowned marine architect Jim Antrim, and the boat, named Rapid Transit (RT), is designed for speed! "RT will spend a lot of time in the high teens (knots) and twenties," according to Jim. The yacht features the latest construction techniques and materials, including extensive use of carbon fiber. RT's design includes a daggerboard for upwind tracking (the canting keel is used primarily for reducing heel), and twin rudders.

"We've got just a great team in place," stated Cree Partridge, construction supervisor. The yacht's fins, (rudders, daggerboard and the keel), are all being manufactured on the premises. Cree, the yard owner/manager, is no stranger to yacht building. In a previous business with partner John Palmer, he built some two dozen custom IOR racers, mostly Gary Mull and Doug Peterson designs. Jim Antrim worked for Mull at the time, as did another local boat design legend, Carl Shumacher.

Rapid Transit now makes her home in Southern California, and is a participant in the 2010 Pacific Cup.

Berkeley Marine Center, well known for quality boat repair and maintenance, also holds the distinction of being Northern California's only active builder of custom yachts. This is the second Antrim design yacht built at BMC. The first, the Antrim 40 racing yacht XL, was completed in 2007 has been garnering kudos in the Southern California racing scene.

Timelapse movie of the construction of the hull. (One year compressed to 5 minutes.)

Press regarding the construction of Rapid Transit

Latitude 38's article on the building of Rapid Transit (PDF 500K).