> Just Launched at NEB
Diode, a 36-Foot Rodger Martin-Designed Sportboat/Skiff
This is an exciting boat: a 36-footer weighing only 4,320 pounds with a cloud of sail and a "gybing" carbon-fiber keel, Diode promises to blow the doors off boats 10 to 20 feet longer. NEB built the boat using wet layup, vacuum-bagged E-glass with a Core-Cell foam core. "Waterline length is maximized for speed, hull sections are rounded for low wetted surface, and sections aft are wide for offwind planing," says designer Rodger Martin. "The 'gybing' carbon keel can be rotated, enabling numerous tactical options, such as rotating to windward for increased pointing ability." To accomplish this, NEB built a drum-shaped cassette for the keel, which is also retractable for trailering. Diode's owner is Dooie Isdale, a former commodore of the New York YC, a man who appreciates fast boats and enjoys pushing the speed envelope. Early sails on the boat have proven that Diode is both fast and fun!

> Recently Launched at NEB
Ptarmigan, a 52-Foot Nelson/Marek-Designed IMS Cruiser/Racer
Built of heat-cured, vacuum-bagged carbon-fiber pre-preg inner and outer skins and a combination of Core-Cell and Airlite structural foam, this Nelson/Marek 52 promises to be a powerful contender in East Coast racing. Early sailing trials have shown that the internal bulkheading structure is up to the job of keeping rig tension, especially critical given the boat's ultra-narrow shroud base.

Construction began with computer-drawn, laser-cut framing for the male mold, which was then painstakingly faired. Because Ptarmigan is intended for offshore racing, NEB designed and evaluated a number of different carbon/foam test panels to get the right combination of rigidity, impact resistance, and lightness in the hull's composite laminate. The hull and deck laminates use SP Systems epoxy pre-preg uni-directional and double-bias fabrics; hull and deck structures were heat-cured in NEB's full-size composites climate control room. As with most NEB composite yachts, we also built custom carbon-fiber structural and deck hardware components for Ptarmigan, such as the steering wheel, rudderpost, chainplates, and many other details.

For a look at the advanced composite technology that went into Ptarmigan's construction, click here

> Recently Completed at NEB
The Staten Island September 11 Memorial
When the World Trade Center was attacked on September 11, 2001, 267 Staten Islanders lost their lives. This summer a stirring memorial, "Postcards," designed by architect Masayuki Sono and materialized with his collaborator Lapshan Fong and built by NEB, will rise in their honor. Sono's twin "postcards" make a metaphoric reference to the site of the twin towers, and feature touchable "commemorative stamps" that bear the name and profile of each victim.

The challenge with Sono's softly curving design was how to build it; post-reinforced concrete would be unable to withstand the loads that high winds would impose on the design's 12-foot cantilevered wings. After conducting a structural analysis, NEB's engineers specified a composite laminate of E-glass, foam core, and vinylester resin, and began building the structure using a resin-infusion technique. "Composite construction can withstand high loads and repeated flex without cracking," notes David MacBain, a partner at NEB. "By applying composite technology to buildings and sculptures we are able to find elegant solutions to structural problems."

There's a personal connection to the Staten Island September 11 Memorial for the people at NEB, too. Steven Casella, another NEB partner (pictured at right, with Masayuki Sono), grew up in nearby Brooklyn and holds close ties to New York. "It means a lot to me, and to everyone here, to be bringing this memorial to life with our own hands." The official dedication of the Staten Island September 11 Memorial will take place on September 11, 2004. Click here for a look at how NEB's Engineering Department creates everything from yachts to composite sculptures to precision parts.

Zaraffa Wins Again; Ptarmigan 3rd in Her First Ocean Race
Dr. Skip Sheldon's Zaraffa, a world-cruising NEB-built Reichel/Pugh 66-footer, has won IMS Cruiser/Racer Class 8 and placed 3rd in fleet in the recent Newport-Bermuda Race. In the 2002 Bermuda Race, Zaraffa (photo, right) won both her class and overall, taking the prestigious Lighthouse Trohpy, and last summer Zaraffa won the Daimler-Chrysler TransAtlantic Challenge. Lawrence Dickie's new NEB-built Ptarmigan, a Nelson/Marek 52, took third in Class 8 and placed 8th overall in the Bermuda Race. Congratulations to both skippers and their crews!

NEB staff members sailing in the Bermuda Race included Tom Rich, one of NEB's three partners, on Zaraffa; Donald Watson, head of the NEB Composites Team, on the Aerodyne 43 Tango; Yard Manager Scotty Murray on the Farr 60 Harrier; Project Manager Bob Sharkey on the Tripp 60 Serengetti. All these boats were either built by NEB or have undergone recent refits or modifications at NEB.

NEB has sent members of the Joinerwork Team, including shop foreman Wayne Rego, out to sunny San Diego to assist in a stem-to-stern refit of the venerable 55-foot Cotton Blossom (photo, right). America's Cup skipper Dennis Conner, for whom NEB has built a total of three IACC (International America's Cup Class) contenders, fell in love with the classic Cotton Blossom and brought in NEB to help restore the carvel-planked yacht to its former glory. Whether the project calls for working with carbon fiber or African mahogany, we enjoy working to Dennis Conner's winning standards. We'll have photos of the reborn Blossom later this year.

A Makeover for Moon River
Recently the NEB Joinerwork Team carried out a complete interior renovation of the Palmer Johnson-built, C.Raymond Hunt-designed 115-foot motoryacht Moon River. We'll let the before and after photos tell the story. Moon River is now happily cruising Florida and Caribbean waters.

Offshore Solo Racing Mods for Wells Fargo American Pioneer
Solo offshore racer Joe Harris is gearing up for a new campaign, with help from NEB. Harris placed a close second in the Mono 50 class in 2,800-mile 2004 TransAt Race from Plymouth, England, to Boston, USA, on his 50-foot Wells Fargo American Pioneer. Now he is planning to upgrade his boat with extensive modifications by NEB, including: reballasting and re-cofiguring the canting keel mechanism; complete overhaul of the mechanical and hydraulics systems; replacement of the daggerboard system with new foils by Owen Clarke, the designer of Mono 50 class winner Artforms. We look forward to making Wells Fargo American Pioneer faster than ever!

Making a Jenneau 52 Into a High-Performance World Cruiser/Racer
Recently a Dutch owner brought his Jeanneau 52, a production fiberglass cruiser, to NEB for a refit as well as as a makeover, with the help of designer Rodger Martin, into a boat that could be raced offshore singlehanded or doublehanded as well as cruised the world over. Modifications included the addition of a bow thruster, a bubble/blister cabin top, a hydraulic folding anchor-roller arm, topsides and hull Awlgrip, and a number of rigging changes to make shorthanded sailhandling eaiser and safer.

Resin Infusion and the Staten Island Memorial

NEB's Paint Team has been putting in some serious overtime during the 2003/2004 winter, and has kept up the pace into the Spring. With more demand than ever for NEB's high-quality Awlgrip work, NEB's climate-controlled painting workspaces have been very busy places. In fact, now that the rush is over, Summer or Fall is a good time to book a slot for your boat. Contact Yard Manager Scott Murray at 401-683-4000 or information@neboatworks.com.

Stacy Nelson and Erin Watts
The friendly voice you hear when you call NEB is likely to be either Stacy Nelson or Erin Watts -- they'll also take care of you when you walk in the door. Stacy, in addition to her extensive responsibilities in billing and accounts receiving, is now handling front office and reception duties. Erin Watts is in charge of accounts payable, along with customer service in the front office.
Karl Nordstrom
Our new Personnel Manager at NEB is Karl Nordstrom, who brings many years of marine industry experience to the job of finding and hiring first-rate technicians and service specialists for NEB.
Maria D'Ambra
She's in the back office at NEB, but Maria D'Ambra, who takes care of NEB's bookkeeping, is frequently in touch with customers by phone and in person--you'll recognize Maria by her sunny disposition.

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> Events at NEB
The Return of NEB's Famous Thursday Night BEER CAN RACES!!!
What do America's Cup skippers, Vendee Globe winners, Olympic champions, and the fastest boatbuilders in the world (that's us) have in common? They all got a start, and a finish, and a beer or two, at NEB's Thursday Night Beer Can Races. In the interest of promoting Intenational and Narragansett Bay friendly competition, we're bringing back the Beer Can Races. The 9-week series begins the first week in July, starting time is 6 PM, and awards will be given after the racing at Schooners on the Bay restaurant. Racing is sposored by NEB, East Coast Yacht Sales (401-682-2010), and Schooners (Tel. 401-683-2380). Bring your boat, a PHRF rating (if you don't have a rating we'll assign you one), and have a go! If you have any questions call NEB at 401-683-4000.