Bruce Nelson (naval architect)

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Bruce Nelson is a University of Michigan graduate in Naval Architecture. He has been most notable as a principal yacht designer for the America’s Cup contenders and America One challenge. Nelson is a veteran America's Cup racer as well as designer, he teamed with Dennis Conner on three Stars & Stripes boats (12-meter, catamaran, and IACC) from 1985 to 1995 as both a racer and designer. In 1995, he was the principal designer for the PACT 95 defense syndicate yacht Young America, which was ultimately chosen to be the defender.

America’s Cup Participation:

1985-1987 - Stars & Stripes (12-meter), Dennis Conner
1990-1988 - Stars & Stripes (catamaran), Dennis Conner
1991-1992 - Stars & Stripes (IACC), Dennis Conner
1993-1995 - Young America, PACT 95

Bruce Nelson and Bruce Marek were the principles of a prolific San Diego California yacht design team, Nelson Marek, formed in 1979. Nelson continues to operate Nelson Marek, while Marek is an independent designer on the East Coast. Most of their designs are for custom built yachts including world class racers, although they have designed some production models including the Catalina 42 and Merit 28.

One of the more interesting stories is the Catalina 42 (foot yacht), the hull of which was originally designed as a limited production ocean racer. Catalina Yachts which at the time produced mostly smaller yachts 30 foot and under, acquired the rights to produce the Nelson-Marek designed hull in the late 1980's. Designer Gerry Douglas modified the hull to accept a higher cabin top and cruiser style cabin -- the result was Catalina's largest sized offering for many years, and a strong product which is still in production, with roughly 1,000 hulls on the water.

[edit] Producers of Nelson - Marek Designs

Santa Cruz Yachts
Catalina Yachts
Morgan Yachts
Merit Yachts
Salthouse Brothers, New Zealand
W.D. Schock
Martin Yachts Vancouver, BC
Cape Fear Yacht Works

[edit] Production Models

Nelson - Marek 30
Nelson - Marek 36
Nelson - Marek 41
Nelson - Marek 43
Nelson - Marek 45
Cape Fear 38
Catalina 42
Merit 28
Santana 30/30
Schock 34 Grand Prix

[edit] References

The Royal Gazette, Bermuda - June 27, 2005. Marion-Bermuda Race Trophies. Includes The Blue Water Sailing Club Board of Governors Trophy awarded to Mameluke, a Nelson Merek 49, skippered by Greg Storer from Annapolis, Maryland