Olin J. Stephens, considered by most as the best naval designer of the twentieth century, wrote the following lines, which show the “poetic” way in which he thought about hardware:’ For me, a good boat height keeps the ends out of the water, without excessive freeboard amidships. The Watson and Fife yachts from the beginning of the century were beautiful but also functional. ”
William Fife II designed the ‘Hispania’, in 1909. Belonging to the Formula 15 Meter International class, it was built in the Karpard shipyards in Pasajes de San Juan, for S. M. Alfonso XIII. After more than a century and many vicissitudes, aggravated by the current financial crisis, the beautifully restored boat, recently returned to participate in a race, thanks to the Murcia Region’s Nautical Week.
The Cartagena Marina, through its director, Maria del Carmen Ros, collaborated by providing free mooring to this legendary vessel, a real proud and nomadic beauty, worthy of a king. Despite being more than a century old, the ‘Hispania’ has been excellently restored. She is an impressive yacht, with an overall length of 30.17 metres (LOA) and a main sail that measures 412 meters, when fully rigged.
SOUTHAMPTON BOAT SHOW
This royal visitor has been added to the long list of vessels of all types and sizes that have chosen the Cartagena marina as a port of call this summer. Each year a parallel number of visitors also attend the Southampton Boat Show. Thousands of owners and enthusiasts pass by our stand, and many show a keen interest in what the Cartagena Marina has to offer, as undoubtedly one of the most interesting sea ports in the international nautical arena.