Peter and Sari Ullrich, the principals of Boatspeed, have always worked to continue the development of their company. The history of Boatspeed has centered on the building of high technology, high performance racing sailboats. An attitude highlighting detail and accuracy has seen many successful racing campaigns begin at the Boatspeed company. This reputation of a no compromise approach to composite boat construction has given many crews the confidence to push their boats to the absolute limit. While continuing their long tradition of catering to the performance sailboat market, Boatspeed have in recent years turned their attention to the cruising yacht market. This market is experiencing a worldwide growth that has every indication of continuing for many years to come. While not forgetting it’s base business, Boatspeed has invested heavily into new infrastructure that allows it to compete at the very top end of the luxury cruising yacht market.

Most prominent in this investment is the multi million dollar purpose built facility. Many years of detailed planning have resulted in a world class facility in every respect now operating in the Sydney area.  Peter and Sari have visited many overseas companies and coupled with their own experiences they have produced a building that has addressed every detail to cater for large composite yacht construction needs.

The main building hall comprises 2632sqm of floor space. This is space enough to have three builds of around 100’ progressing at the same time. Dedicated sites for each build keep efficiencies to a high level. The curing oven measures 130’ by 36’ by 24’ (3300m3) this can be partitioned to a length of 80’ or extended to 170’ if necessary. Temperature levels are controlled by a state of the art circulation system powered by natural gas and computer control. The main hall has been designed to keep the environment comfortable for personnel, and the efficient segregation of stages such as laminating, fairing, painting etc.  

Separate to the main hall are secure areas for storage of each projects equipment. Dedicated personnel are able to catalogue, store and distribute all items for each project. A very accurate summary of materials used, costs and weights can be transferred via the LAN to the administration area.

Boatspeed recognize that a full service company must exist in today’s market to ensure the highest of standards across the entire project for clients. Within the new building is a full service metal machining and fabrication company, Mast-a-spar. “Mast-a-spar” are recognized as absolute perfectionists by their peers, for that reason they are part of the Boatspeed Alliance. Their craftsmen come from afar as British Aerospace. They are able to complete from the most detailed and polished piece right up to 20 tonne keel foil fabrication. 

Electrical and hydraulic facilities enables skilled personnel to complete and test designs prior to final fitting. An in house systems engineer provides a wide range of technical solutions to meet clients needs. A joinerwork shop has been established to ensure close collaboration and a finish in sympathy with the high standards required. This concentration of highly skilled trades people, while typical in some European companies is now available in the Southern Hemisphere.

Representatives of Boatspeed have and will travel to all the major supplier trade shows worldwide. This ensures the client and designer can be confident in the knowledge that there is a large database on hand to answer questions and provide solutions.

The facilities for the administration of this type of building complex are just as comprehensive. The many facets and complexities of maintaining the checks and balances for large-scale projects have been addressed. The building has dedicated ample space for conferencing, project managers offices, client representative offices, secretarial services, drawing and design offices and of course the very latest in high speed data transmission over secure lines coupled with all accessories to facilitate any best practice office. The coordination of all departments from a central area will streamline the accountability of the projects. Scheduling, design changes, budgets etc. flow into a central server with access permitted to those with authority for that particular project. Updating of costs to date are on a continuing basis with reports generated at intervals agreed upon. Boatspeed’s custom software which they developed, facilitates comprehensive quoting and accounting of costs to date. It will soon be expanded to include dedicated terminals throughout the building, allowing staff to enter into the system, information about material usage, times, weights and laminates etc. The fostering of close relationships between Boatspeed, designers, the client and their representatives will be enhanced through the structure established at the new facility.

The whole environment at the new premises has been designed to provide a rewarding and satisfying experience for all. Modern facilities, landscaped surrounds and excellent environmental controls ensure the satisfaction and 

safety of all involved

Peter Ullrich studied Naval Architecture prior to working at the prestigious Halvorsen, Morson and Gowland completing his shipwright apprenticeship in the early seventies. He was on the building team for such notable yachts as Ballyhoo, the 12m Southern Cross and Apollo 2&5. After working as a surveyor and yard manager for some time, Peter became involved with the famous 18’ skiff class. This class is widely recognized

as pioneering the use of high tech materials, vacuum bagging and autoclave work in the boatbuilding field. Meeting Sari in 1985, their joint decision was to specialize in this type of construction resulting in the formation of Boatspeed in 1986. 

Sari Ullrich was involved in the management of the export division of a multinational organization. She was able to obtain a high degree of knowledge in the management of medium sized corporations. After several years Sari commenced an apprenticeship in boatbuilding. She was only the 5th woman to do this in Australia. She is widely recognized as the consummate professional in the field of composite construction, she was the composite studies member of the board of curriculum for the boatbuilding course for the State of NSW. Her love of racing sees her primarily involved with the race boat side of the business. Her intimate knowledge of composites sees her managing all facets of shell and structural builds.

The design house of Bruce Farr & associates has written to a client in the past the following; “Overall measurement of your boat is the closest to the design measurement of all of our IMS designs”. Lofty words to have bestowed upon a builder from a company that has many IMS racing yachts launched. Peter, Sari and their staff enjoy these types of complements but they do not rest upon them. Each and every project demands the same rigorous attention to reproducing the designer’s design. They are very pro active in judging the quality of a design from a practical sense and discussing their opinions with the design house.

Boatspeed developed Custom Preg® over a number of years.  It is an “in house computer controlled impregnation system” of applying the resin into the various fibers they employ and was funded in part by and R & D Grant from the Australian Federal Government.  This move to Custom Preg® away from generic prepregs was a deliberate one. Advantages they sought from the initial phases were to enhance core-bonding strength, increase longevity of laminate, tailor resin content and produce laminate properties that were of the highest standard. Boatspeed is able to use “off the shelf” prepregs if the client so desires, but their system of preference is their own. Boatspeed is more than happy to expand on this system with designers and clients if questions arise. A full description of boats built to date can be found on the website along with testimonials.

Boatspeed built yachts, have been on Kenwood Cup teams, Admirals Cup teams, have won and set records in the renowned Sydney to Hobart on numerous occasions as well as competing for many years on the Australian racing circuit. ”Ninety 97 Seven”, a Farr 47 won the Sydney to Hobart line honors trophy in 1993 when all but 20% of the fleet retired due to the intensity of the conditions, this in a vessel launched only 12 days before the event.

To date the large cruising yachts completed by Boatspeed have been “Margaret Rintoul 5” a Frers 61’ (Aramid/epoxy/balsa core) and “China Grove 2” a Stanyon 86’ (Aramid/vinyl ester/PVC core). Boatspeed recognizes the complexity of building the large cruising yachts. Within the company will be established a point of contact should a warranty issue arise, Boatspeed staff will attend personally to any issues that cannot be resolved by merely parts exchanging with the supplier. A database on each yacht is kept in-house. A copy of all drawings communications part numbers etc. will be kept on file.

The new Boatspeed facility has been geared towards the traditional and performance cruising yacht market. Their heritage of building world class racing yachts will continue. The new environmentally friendly and modern workspaces and office areas have set the standard for a new direction. Peter and Sari are on the floor with all their builds. Account management, ordering, record keeping, and dedicated personnel will cater for client/representative/designer liaisons.