Morning Light 2008

This magnificent vessel, known as Pyewacket, is expertly crafted and helmed by Roy Disney. Launched in 2004, Pyewacket is a MaxZ86 class custom-built racing yacht, constructed from carbon fiber. With a towering mast that reaches 120 feet and an innovative canting keel that shifts from one side to the other to boost speed, this yacht is truly one of a kind. At the time of its launch, it was the largest boat to incorporate such a revolutionary keel design; today, it remains among the mere half-dozen in existence worldwide.

The yacht derives its name from a witch’s feline companion in the classic film Bell, Book and Candle. Renowned sailing columnist Rich Roberts notes, “>These boats are something special — going into that new evolutionary class. They can sail faster than the wind in very light wind or moderate wind… It requires a little bit more sailing skill. You can’t just put a bunch of weekend sailors on this boat and expect to do much.”

In a personal reflection, the author shares, “I had the privilege of bringing her to a dock at the Aloha Tower Marketplace in downtown Honolulu Harbor.” Due to her size, she stood as the largest racing sloop competing in the Transpac race, and could not be accommodated at either the Hawai’i or Waikiki Yacht Clubs. Instead, she was brought to a dock designed for massive ocean liners like the QE2 and Queen Mary II. The author concludes with admiration: “She is an utterly magnificent boat!”