Thordon Keeps M5 Yacht Sailing

One of the projects Canada’s Thordon Bearings is most proud to be associated with is that of the Mirabella V, which has been operating the company’s SXL and COMPAC bearings continually for more than 15 years.

The M5, formerly named Mirabella V, designed by Ron Holland Designs, was built by VT Shipbuilding of Woolston, UK in 2003. The 77m flybridge sloop, with a beam of 14.8m (48.5 ft) and a height of 88.5m (290.3 ft) to the top of the carbon mast, is the largest single-masted sailing ship ever built.

The single-mast sloop sail design was chosen in order to maximize the accommodation space, as M5 was built for luxury yacht charters, offering equivalent facilities to those of a similarly-sized motoryacht. The righting moment of the sailboat hull is said to make it more sea-kindly than a motor vessel, which enhances passenger comfort. The high-aspect sail configuration gives a good speed potential, and M5 regularly achieves over 19 knots in 3.5m (11.5 ft) wave heights.

Such a tall mast has to be balanced by a deep keel, and maximum draught is 10.2m (33.5 ft). To allow M5 to enter harbors such as her original home port of Palm Beach, Florida, naval architect John Stott of Ron Holland Design specified a lifting keel, weighing 150 tonnes. This was chosen rather than the swing keels normally specified in similar large sailing yacht applications. The keel is raised by powerful hydraulic cylinders, and when fully retracted the draught is reduced to 4m (13.1 ft).

Support pads for the keel had to be capable of carrying high loads and offer good wear resistance, as well as being as quiet as possible in operation. During Stott’s research into composite bearing materials he discovered Thordon. And working in conjunction with Thordon’s Chief Designer, he specified the company’s SXL pads for the lateral guides, and for the front and back guides, which also function as location ram bearings for the keel locking arrangement, Thordon SXL TRAXL bearings with Thorseals were chosen.

The Thordon inventory is completed by water-lubricated COMPAC propeller shaft bearings for the motor propulsion plant, which were specified by propeller supplier Rolls-Royce Kamewa.

Coinciding with the change of name, the yacht underwent a comprehensive refit at Pendennis Shipyard in Falmouth, UK, in 2013. Work included replacement of MTU main engines with higher-power 1300 bhp Caterpillar units, a new electrical system, redesigned interior, an extended stern and reverse transom, a lighter ballast arrangement and carbon fiber standing rigging.

During the DNV 10-year survey which was undertaken at the same time, the Thordon bearings were all found to be in excellent condition, and they remain fully serviceable five years on, with a total of 15 years’ service.

When the vessel was launched in 2003, Thordon’s scope of supply helped towards M5 breaking new technological barriers. It continues to do so, ensuring the sloop is sea-worthy and available for charter.