In the annals of yachting history, some builders leave a long and storied legacy, while others, though significant, occupy a more fleeting, yet impactful, chapter. Antigua Yachts belongs to the latter, a company born from the transition of another well-known cruising yacht builder, leaving behind a small but notable fleet of robust bluewater vessels.
The Origin Story
Antigua Yachts emerged in 1981 from the dissolution of Caribbean Sailing Yachts (CSY), a prominent builder of heavy-displacement cruising sailboats. When CSY folded that year, John Coats and his brother seized the opportunity, acquiring the molds and some of the unsold inventory. This strategic acquisition laid the foundation for Antigua Yachts, establishing their initial vision to continue the production of capable cruising yachts based on proven designs. Their first and primary model, the Antigua 44, was a direct descendant of the popular CSY 44, effectively ensuring continuity for a respected cruising platform.
History and Evolution
Antigua Yachts' operational lifespan was relatively brief, spanning from 1981 to 1984. During this period, the company focused on two main models, leveraging the acquired tooling and designs. The transition from CSY meant that Antigua Yachts inherited a legacy of building sturdy, full-bodied cruising boats, particularly suited for extended voyages and the demanding conditions of the Caribbean, which had been CSY's namesake region. The move from CSY to Antigua Yachts was less about a radical design departure and more about preserving the production of well-regarded cruising platforms.
Design Philosophy and Identity
Antigua Yachts, by virtue of its origins, inherited the reputation for building stout, comfortable, and capacious cruising yachts. Their identity was largely defined by the characteristics of the designs they adopted. These were not high-performance racers, but rather stable, heavy-displacement vessels designed for comfortable living aboard and reliable passage-making. The fiberglass hulls were known for their robust construction.
The Antigua 44, directly from the CSY 44 mold, maintained the attributes of its predecessor: a heavy, stable, and stiff boat with excellent righting capability, often described as underpowered but built for resilience. This design, typically a masthead ketch, emphasized safety and comfort over speed.
Similarly, the Antigua 53 was based on the Morgan Out Island 51, a design by the renowned American naval architect Charles Morgan. The Morgan Out Island series was famous for its spacious interiors, shallow draft (thanks to its fin with rudder on skeg hull type), and focus on liveaboard comfort, making them popular choices for Caribbean charter fleets and long-distance cruising. The Antigua 53 consequently shared these characteristics, providing ample space for its size and a design tailored for comfortable blue-water cruising.
Iconic Models and Legacy
The two most significant models produced by Antigua Yachts were the Antigua 44 and the Antigua 53.
- Antigua 44: As the direct continuation of the CSY 44, this vessel offered a robust platform for cruisers. It featured a fiberglass hull, a masthead ketch rig, and a reported length overall (LOA) of 44.00 feet. Its design emphasized stability and load-carrying capacity, appealing to sailors looking for a reliable, no-nonsense cruising yacht. The tooling for the original CSY 44 was indeed sold to Antigua Yachts, highlighting its direct lineage.
- Antigua 53: Based on the Charles Morgan-designed Out Island 51, the Antigua 53 was a larger cruising ketch, with an LOA of 51.60 feet. It was characterized by its spacious interior volume, often featuring multiple cabins, and its design as a comfortable liveaboard cruiser well-suited for extended periods at sea.
While specific production numbers for Antigua Yachts themselves are not widely publicized, the fact that they acquired existing molds suggests they aimed to capitalize on the established demand for these proven designs. The legacy of Antigua Yachts primarily lies in the handful of these well-built cruising vessels that continue to sail today, cherished by owners who value their sturdy construction and comfortable accommodations, directly benefiting from the design heritage of CSY and Morgan.
The Builder Today
Antigua Yachts, as a company, ceased operations in 1984, making its run a short four years. Consequently, there is no "builder today" in the conventional sense of an active manufacturing entity. However, the boats themselves—the Antigua 44s and Antigua 53s—continue to be part of the cruising fleet worldwide. These vessels are now part of the pre-owned yacht market, sought after by those who appreciate the robust construction and spacious interiors characteristic of their CSY and Morgan heritage. Owners of these yachts often form tight-knit communities, sharing knowledge and experiences, a testament to the enduring appeal and capability of these classic cruisers. Their presence on the water is a quiet reminder of a brief, yet important, period in yacht building where proven designs found a second life.
