Commissioned as a special birthday gift for the owner of the 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Rosehearty, this bespoke half-hull model was handcrafted in 1:56 scale, resulting in a finished length of one metre.
Designed as a permanent display piece for the owner’s private office, the model combines precision engineering, traditional craftsmanship and premium materials to create a truly one-of-a-kind commission.
Following completion, the model was personally presented to the recipient before beginning its journey to its permanent home in the United States.
Rosehearty is a 56-metre sailing yacht built by the renowned Italian shipyard Perini Navi and designed by celebrated naval architect Ron Holland. Launched in 2006, she combines timeless styling with exceptional long-range cruising capability, making her one of the most recognisable yachts in the Perini Navi fleet.
Designed for worldwide exploration, Rosehearty has completed extensive voyages through the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Arctic and Antarctica, earning a reputation as both an elegant cruising yacht and a capable expedition vessel. She has also achieved success on the regatta circuit, including victory at the 2015 Perini Navi Cup.
Her distinctive profile, elegant proportions and remarkable cruising history made Rosehearty an exceptional subject for a bespoke half-hull commission.
The project began through a recommendation from Bruce Brakenhoff, Executive Director at Edmiston. Following the introduction, Mark Epstein contacted Polaris Models to commission a bespoke birthday gift for the yacht’s owner.
The intention from the very beginning was to create a unique museum-quality half-hull model that would become a permanent feature in the owner’s private office.
Although an extensive set of reference drawings was initially supplied, it quickly became apparent that numerous modifications had been made to Rosehearty throughout her lifetime. To ensure complete accuracy, Captain David Hutchinson (“Hutch”) kindly provided additional photographs and detailed video footage, allowing every important feature and alteration to be faithfully incorporated into the final design.
Throughout the CAD development, Mark visited the Polaris Models workshop on several occasions. Together, we refined every aspect of the commission, including the overall scale, presentation, proportions, backboard design and choice of materials, ensuring the finished piece reflected both the elegance of the yacht and the significance of the occasion.
Once the CAD development had been completed and every detail refined, manufacturing began using a combination of advanced digital production techniques and traditional hand craftsmanship.
The majority of the components were manufactured using high-resolution resin 3D printing, providing an exceptionally accurate foundation before every part was individually refined, assembled and finished by hand. Every railing was handcrafted, while the decking was produced from premium maple veneer, carefully finished to recreate the appearance of the original teak decks.
One particularly distinctive feature was the jacuzzi. At the client’s request, it was cast in crystal-clear resin with a carefully controlled blue tint, recreating the appearance and visual depth of water while maintaining complete transparency.
Every component was individually prepared, primed, painted and polished by hand. The high-gloss finish received multiple finishing stages before being polished to a mirror finish, including the smallest edges and transitions that are often overlooked.
The completed model was mounted on a handcrafted Brazilian mahogany backboard before receiving its final detail — a mirror-polished solid brass plaque, individually engraved for the commission.
To ensure safe transportation to the United States, a bespoke flight case was manufactured specifically for the model.
Upon completion, Polaris Models had the privilege of personally presenting the finished model to the client and the yacht’s owner in London.
Seeing the model for the first time, the owner immediately smiled, pointed to the starboard helm position and remarked, “I sit here.” He then spent several minutes examining the model in detail, appreciating the level of craftsmanship and accuracy achieved throughout the commission.
Following the presentation, the certificate of authenticity was signed, and the model was carefully packed into its bespoke flight case and prepared for its final journey to the United States, where it now serves as a permanent display piece in the owner’s private office.