The Journey

The Zenith Story: Innovation Born from Experience

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Our Story

Why did we reach the decision to build a new boat?

One evening in August, towards the end of the day, Mark and I were having our well-earned pint after our day at work when I heard ‘Mark, you know the Osprey Championships are soon to take place in Poole, please tell me you are not intending to still go, are you? If you think you will enjoy it and are fit enough you are kidding yourself, you have not sailed the Osprey at sea for some time and you know it is nothing like a pond, you will struggle, hurt yourself and we will be well down the order, you will do well just to finish the event’.

I was so shocked, I replied ‘get the Osprey ready for Sunday, we will race at Blithfield against the good Osprey sailors and the other fleets, and no, I’m not kidding’.

Sunday Race 1 – First face, good wind, other Osprey and the others classes a mile behind, we won.

Race 2 – we were so busy looking at the jib settings, we missed the start by 5 minutes but by the end of the race we had passed all the other boats bar the Osprey and we were nearly on his transom. ‘You have proved your point Dad, you are tired, let’s go home’. ‘No son, I must sail 3 races, it is easier on a lake, we must test to see if I am fit enough for the Sea’.

Race 3 – first beat, I slipped and capsized with Mark on the trapeze, I fell from one gunwale to the other side of the deck, cracked my ribs and had great difficulty even breathing, I was carried off the boat. During the drive back home, Mark turned to me and said ‘Dad, I have had a great idea for a new boat’.

My response ‘you have? I am the marketing and development guru but, let’s hear about this new boat’. I listened, as Mark gave me a detailed picture of what he wanted to build and said ‘give me a night to think about it’. When I got home that evening, with a large glass of red to help my sore ribs, I became more and more excited about Mark’s new project. Putting my pen to paper I started the list of benefits and pitfalls of this new project.

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Our Story

From Idea to Reality

Monday at work, Board Meeting with our Company Accountant Beth, Mark presented his new boat plans and its benefits. At the end of the meeting, Beth ‘s response was ‘yes, it all sounds great but not my field, what will be the total cost and will it sell?’

My turn now ‘cost will be well over £100k, with the labour, testing and development more likely £150k. Will it sell, YES, YES, YES, Mark has got this bang on, why did I not think about this boat. I am so convinced Mark has got this right; we should start today and let’s get cracking’.

Then came Board approval. Mark and I locked in a room for days putting together the boat strategy and the list of must-haves to ensure this boat is the very best in its field.

A phone call to the best Naval Architect in the business, Phil Morrison, with his vast experience and knowledge, we were hoping he would be with us as he had been with many other projects. He would know if we were to have a winner or he would let us know if not, he would never sit on the fence as we have worked together for years.

I insisted Phil must meet Mark and I the same week so, early Saturday morning off we set down the M5 to meet Phil. Mark and I finalising our complete wish-list for our new boat and what we wanted to achieve.
Mark could not wait to present his boat and the list of our must-have needs and requirements.

As Phil settled with his Costa Coffee, his first question was ‘this boat is for 2026, isn’t it?’

Our reply ‘no Phil, this boat is bound for the 2025 RYA Dinghy Show in February. No time now to fly gliders or ski. Head down and let’s get going, we have the requirements we need you to do the drawings. We have booked the CNC tooling for October; testing will be late January/February and by the 3rd week of February it will be on our stand at the RYA Dinghy show.’

Silence, then ‘Let’s hear about what you are wanting to build’.

Mark went through the comprehensive details and when he had completed the presentation Phil responded ‘your timeline will cost me my hobby time but, I think you will have a great boat that will be so special, I am excited, I want to design this boat together with you, with this team working together we can design and build a remarkable and special boat that will help many sailors enjoy their sailing, they will be able to sail in heavy winds and at a much an older age. Your deadline is tough but, I will work as many hours as needed to ensure we have the best results possible and we hit your deadline.

Our Story

Experience, Capsizes, and a Fresh Perspective

At the age of 42, when I started proper sailing with Mark and now, at the age of 78, having never taken any sailing lessons, I guarantee I have the best record for the most capsizes in the UK.

In fact, it was I that convinced Mark to put a ballasted 60kg centreboard in the Wayfarer, which is called the Wayfarer Weekender, which has the added value that it self-rights should the impossible happen.

This boat is now so popular we are outselling the Wayfarer 2-to-1 with every Weekender we sell. Now with the demand from the Wanderer Cruising fleet and Gull fleet to complete the same for their fleets.

I still capsize the Wayfarer and Osprey because of my cancer and age, I do not have enough upper body strength to get back into either boat, I am lucky Mark always rescues me and pulls me back in.

The many years ‘experience’ of capsizing has given me invaluable input to make sure that all the points and information I have gained are designed and built into this new boat. I want to ensure I have full peace of mind but have fun and enjoyment when I sail, and for many years to come.

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Mark Testing the Zenith Capsizing

wish list

What were Marks and my wish list for the boat?

  • 1

    Ease of Use

    It must be easy and simple to rig and de-rig.

  • 2

    Lightweight Construction

    The whole boat must be light (90kgs approx.) and that includes a 37kg ballasted centreboard also with an aluminium trolley – half the weight of a steel launch trolley so a 78 OAP is able to launch and recover and still have a smile on his face at the end of the day.

  • 3

    Aesthetics and Design

    The boat must look out of this World, I want to sail the most modern but beautiful single-hander (in-short the bees-knees).

  • 4

    Exciting Performance

    It must not be boring to sail, quicker than a flying 15, Supernova and Wayfarer (PY1050).

  • 5

    Stability and Safety

    It must be nearly impossible to capsize, must self-right, BUT, if I miss the toe-straps and fall out, I must be able to easily get back in the boat without any help (remember, I have no upper body strength), just let me slide into the cockpit from the low transom and off I go again OR, when I’m another 10 years older, I just reach through the transom to the bobble at the end of the toe-strap, pull back the elastic cord until the rope appears and then I simply pull myself back in the boat.

  • 6

    Comfortable Side-Deck

    Have the most comfortable side-deck available to sit on.

  • 7

    Spacious Legroom

    Have plenty of legroom to be very comfortable when sailing.

  • 8

    Comfortable Downwind Sailing

    When sailing downwind, never have to kneel on the floor, sit on the shaped side-tank or the front seating provided.

  • 9

    Adequate Boom Height

    No limbo-dancing, enough boom height to be comfortable when tacking. Choice of mainsheet off the boom or, to a centre cleat and jammer.

  • 10

    Unobstructed Cockpit Layout

    No thwart to get in the way, easy to tack the boat, no long, big centreboard case to stride over.

  • 11

    Modern Rig and Sail Design

    Must have a modern carbon rig, accompanied with a laminate square top mainsail to make sure the boat can be easily depowered and is easy for me to set so I get the best results from my sailing, tacking and gybing are a breeze with the boat being ideal for sailing weights from 70kg to 110kg.

  • 12

    Ballasted Centreboard for Confidence

    Having the knowledge that the ballasted centreboard is there to help me enjoy my sailing knowing that when I make the odd mistake (and I do) the boat will compensate and keep me safe

Zenith Specifications

Zenith Specifications

Take a look at the zenith specifications below.

  • Optimal Sailing weight:

    70-110KG

  • Length:

    4380mm (14’4”)

  • Width:

    1730mm (5’7”)

  • Draft:

    950mm with board down

  • Hull weight:

    55kg

  • Ballasted centreboard weight:

    40kg

  • Construction:

    FRP foam sandwich construction with localised carbon reinforcement

  • Ballasted Board Construction:

    Lead core with carbon sheaving

  • Mast length:

    6630mm

  • Boom length:

    1035mm

  • Sail Area:

    11sqm

  • Mast construction:

    Selden stayed carbon mast

  • Boom construction:

    Selden oval carbon boom

  • Controls:

    Kicker, Cunningham and Outhaul controls all continuous

  • Hardware:

    Allen and Sea-Sure hardware throughout

  • Sail:

    Square top fully battened PXB5 Sail

  • Designed by:

    Phil Morrison 2024

Introducing: The Zenith

Boat Name – Zenith (meaning the high point — it comes from astronomy, where it describes the highest point in an arc travelled by a star or a planet or another celestial body. The sun reaches its zenith when it is as high in the sky as it is going to go on that day). This both Mark and I believe is our highest point, our Zenith in our 27th years of boat building.

Boat sales – we have spoken with visitors to our works and local sailors and without advertising, we have already sold 25 boats. We have organised a new Zenith association website, we have formed a committee, we are to run 5 regional championships and a National Championship later in the year. One of the difficult parts of the journey was to have the right sail, finding the right balance to ensure all our hard work resulted in a beautiful boat and one that handles well in all weathers. Having the best sailmaker in the business gives us the confidence to have the best package possible. Everyone at Hartley Boats are very excited and cannot wait to get this new boat on the water.

Whilst I am not happy as a development guru this was not my idea; I want to say a massive well done to Phil and my very gifted son that through their skill we have the boat that will be second to none.

Written by Richard Hartley

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