Langan Design Partners LLC

07/28/2026

Langan Design Partners recently completed work on a major refit for Axia, a 125’ ketch originally designed by Sparkman & Stephens. The project took place at Astilleros de Mallorca S.A. in Palma de Mallorca, changing the yacht’s deep racing keel to a shallow-draft bulb configuration for efficient cruising with minimal performance impact. Through advanced CFD analysis and structural redesign, we reduced the draft by over 3 feet while maintaining stability, lift, and handling. The rudder was also re-engineered to complement the new keel geometry.

Read the details here: https://langandesign.com/shoal-draft-keel-and-rudder-refit-for-axia-125-ketch/

Astilleros de Mallorca - Refit and Repair Shipyard

Langan Design handled the design and engineering of new foil shapes for this superyacht to sail in shallower waters.

07/21/2026

“Everything felt exactly like I’d hoped it would feel.”

That was Tom Degrémont’s reaction after sailing Ouzel on Penobscot Bay. Tom is a partner at Langan Design Partners LLC and led the development of Ouzel’s naval architecture.

For a designer, it is hard to ask for more than that. A custom wood-composite superyacht carries thousands of decisions with her — her shape, structure, keel, rig, systems, joinery, and finish. Under sail, those decisions have to come together.

On her first trials, they did.

The vision is no longer on paper. She is out sailing.

MCM Langan Design Partners LLC Mark Whiteley Design Rockport Marine

Photos: Tyler Fields Photography

07/15/2026

Enjoy these shots of Ouzel stretching her legs on Penobscot Bay.
"There’s real pleasure in sailing a better-performing boat,” says Tom Degrémont, partner at Langan Design. "...Today was a perfect example: going upwind at 10 knots, tacking through less than 90 degrees with a Yankee and a staysail, and doing 12 knots in 15 knots of breeze while reaching. It’s a great cruising combination and a really pleasurable experience."

A strong showing, and a very good feeling, for a yacht built to put miles behind her.

MCM Langan Design Partners LLC Mark Whiteley Design
Rockport Marine

Photos: Billy Black

07/11/2026

Ouzel was never meant to sit at the dock.

She has a thirst for distance — designed and built for offshore passage-making, high-latitude cruising, and far-away harbors. She carries the air of purposeful elegance: powerful, quick in breeze, and free of unnecessary complication or clutter.

And, like the nomadic Ring Ouzel, she lives to travel.
We can’t wait to see where she goes.

MCM Langan Design Partners LLC Mark Whiteley Design Rockport Marine

Photos: Russell Kaye Photography

07/09/2026

Proud to see STV VELA under sail as part of America’s 250th Anniversary celebrations in New York Harbor this past weekend. Here she is, making her way down New York's East River. Designed by Langan Designs in 2005 for and with Seamester, sistership to STV ARGO. We've lost count of how many combined circumnavigations they have completed. More than a capable and stunning blue-water vessel—she’s a floating classroom, inspiring the next generation of mariners, scientists, and leaders through hands-on education at sea.

Source : Sail4th 250

07/06/2026

The story of Ouzel is the story of a team working toward the same goal: to design and build a modern classic superyacht that honored the Owners’ vision and brought out the best in everyone involved.

At 95 feet, Ouzel is a remarkable example of the wood-composite construction Rockport Marine has spent decades refining. She reflects the thoughtful naval architecture of Langan Design Partners, the elegant design vision of Mark Whiteley Design, and the steady project leadership of MCM Newport, who assembled and led the team.

Most of all, she reflects Owners who trusted the process, cared deeply about the details, and encouraged the team to keep pushing toward the best possible boat.
A special project. A special team. A special boat.

SY Ouzel.

MCM Langan Design Partners LLC Mark Whiteley Design Rockport Marine

Photos:
1: Russell Kaye Photography
2: Billy Black

07/03/2026

At 95 feet, SY Ouzel is very much a cruising yacht — built for distance, comfort, and far-away harbors — but she also puts the performance in 'performance cruiser.'

That comes from many good decisions: the hull, keel, and rig geometry developed by Langan Design Partners; the elegant interior vision of Mark Whiteley Design - who also collaborated with Langan Design on exterior design to ensure the holistic design cohesiveness; the steady project leadership of MCM Newport; the care of the build by Rockport Marine; and the top-flight sails from Doyle Sails.

The sails fit Ouzel beautifully and came alive as the breeze built, helping her reach 13 knots in 15 knots of wind during trials.

Doyle Sails Newport expert Paul Tingle:
“Ouzel is a perfect example of how modern sail design can enhance both performance and the owner's cruising experience. The sail plan is simple, efficient and incredibly versatile, giving the yacht the confidence to cruise anywhere while remaining a joy to sail. Projects like Ouzel are the result of close collaboration between designer, builder and sailmaker. It's incredibly rewarding to see the yacht perform exactly as intended, delivering the speed, balance and easy handling that were key objectives from day one.”

A strong first showing for Ouzel, and a fine reminder of what a well-matched team can deliver.

MCM Langan Design Partners LLC Mark Whiteley Design Rockport Marine
Doyle Sails

Photo 1: Tyler Fields Photography
Photo 2: Russell Kaye Photography
Photo 3: Tyler Fields Photography

07/01/2026

From all of us on the Project Ouzel team at MCM, Langan Design, Mark Whiteley Design, and Rockport Marine—Happy Thanksgiving.



MCM Langan Design Partners LLC Mark Whiteley Design Rockport Marine

Photo Credit: Russell Kaye Photography

07/01/2026

"We choose to do something difficult to see what we can achieve."

Sam Temple, President of Rockport Marine, reflecting on why they do what they do, and why they took on Project Ouzel.

MCM Langan Design Partners LLC Mark Whiteley Design Rockport Marine

Video: Russell Kaye Photography

06/09/2026

Thinking of Bill Langan, on his birthday, as we take Ouzel out on her first sailing trials. He would have enjoyed today - Bill would have been in his element, and made us all smarter in the process.