‘One of the coolest things we’ve ever done’ is how Adolfo Carrau of designers Botín & Partners recalls the Botín 65 racer-cruiser High Spirit

Sleek looks, yes, but don’t be fooled – High Spirit is more than a stylish package. Design sister Caro finished runner-up in IRC 1 in a highly competitive 2016 Rolex Middle Sea Race on corrected time, finishing less than one hour behind the full-on lightweight DSS racer Maverick.

Just two boats have been built to the Botín 65 design. One, Caro, has been very extensively campaigned but is still a beautiful yacht. The second, High Spirit, is barely out of the wrapper and ready to win.

‘We are usually approached to design pure racing boats and we seem to do very well in this high-end market niche,’ says designer Adolfo Carrau.

‘However, when a private owner calls us to design a fast and beautiful boat without comprom ises and forgetting about any rating or box rules, then it’s a dream come true!

‘This is what happened when we designed Caro and High Spirit, as both owners were interested primarily in having a very fast boat to enjoy with friends and a small crew, mixing cruising and racing around the world.

‘We had a blank sheet of paper to create a unique boat for each owner, and we had a great time with both! The build standard matches the latest TP52 or Maxi72 – the owner really wanted the very best.’

Built by the composite artisans at King Marine at the end of 2015, High Spirit is equipped for sale with an inventory that would flatter a superyacht of twice the size. Every thing about the yacht is to the highest spec imaginable: high-modulus spars and bowsprit, carbon 3Di sails and an electronics and hydraulics inventory powerful enough to launch a satellite. And every single element of this boat is today as good as (or better than) new.

‘All our experience in racing boats for the Volvo and America’s Cup has been applied to the build of this amazing yacht. Using the most sophisticated materials and to a great design, High Spirit is one of the finest yachts that we have ever launched.’ – Pablo Santarsiero, managing director of King Marine

High Spirit features an all-carbon hull and structure, with a Nomexcored deck to keep the centre of gravity low and sailing stability high, finished off with a beautiful teak deck. Then there is a hydraulic lifting keel to get you in close to the sand plus a state-of-the-art hydraulic drive train to silently but speedily spin the latest Harken performance winches.

Sailing electronics are by B&G, hydraulic management and power by Cariboni, lines and cordage are all by Armare, with a second North Sails delivery wardrobe to keep the 3Di race sails pristine. As we said, the best of the best wherever you look.

A race-winning new yacht from one of the world’s top designers and with a contemporary and light interior, the High Spirit cruising offer is also both elegant and extraordinary. And that race performance… a yacht with this degree of elegance that gets up on the plane when you start to lean on her in earnest. What else could any ambitious sailor ever ask for?

This fast lift-keel 65-footer is being offered in as new condition for offers on € 1.500.000

Click here for the full specs of the boat

From Seahorse magazine.