Designed by Van de Stadt, the renowned firm of Dutch naval architects, La Novia is a 60’ monohull sloop.  The design concept was for a high performance cruising yacht, optimised for shorthanded circumnavigation with a high degree of comfort for long-term life aboard.

The performance is achieved by the advanced hull design, lightweight construction and large sail area.  Despite her power and speed she can be single-handed without trouble at sea owing to her unstayed, balanced rig - the Aerorig.

She was built by Johan Vels in Medemblick - widely regarded as the best wood core composite builder in Holland before his retirement.

Her hull is constructed of a multilayer composite sandwich of Cedar, mahogany, glassfibre and Kevlar, laminated together with epoxy resin.  This is further strengthened by bearers and ring-frames made of cedar beams reinforced with carbon fibre unidirectionals.

No other construction technique gives comparable strength, rigidity, puncture resistance, longevity and resistance to corrosion at such low weight.  At a dry weight of just 21 metric tons she is nearly 40% lighter than an Oyster 62!

The weight saving philosophy is pursued throughout the boat and every item used in construction was weighed and positioned to achieve optimum weight distribution.