The boat

2012

April 2013

July 2013

Basic data

Boat type: sailing yacht

SIZES:
Length waterline 6.70 m  
Length overall: 7.10 m
Beam: 2.18 m
Draft: 1.05 m
Displacement: 3.3 tons
Total ballast: 1200 kg (850-900 kg fixed, plus 300 kg removable)

RIGGING:
1. Main mast length: 7.80 m – 10.80 m
2. Topmast length: 4.15 m
3. Boom 5.15 m
4. Gaff: 4.15 m
5. Bowsprit 3.20 m
6. Topsail spar 4.00 m

SAILS:
1. Topsail 7.26 m²
2. Mainsail 20.80 m²
3. Staysail 7.25 m²
4. Jib 8.25 m²
Total sail area: 43.80 m²

OTHER:
Engine: Marine diesel: 12 HP
Hull: Swedish pine
Deck: Iroko

Built by Zoublios - Nea Peramos Shipyards, Nea Peramos, Greece, 2012
Present location: Eleusis, Greece
Information: Mary Dimadi marydimadi@hotmail.com +30 6977350447, +30 6951795682
petyan@otenet.gr. +30 6936681150

The designer

Lefteris A. Giannoulopoulos, Architect, 1946-2013

A note about Marelina's designer by his daughter, Elina:

For Lefteris

My dad was an architect. One of the pioneering ones:  At the beginning of the 70’s he did a masters in computer aided design at Glasgow University, when this seemed like a sci-fi scenario to most. Likewise towards the end of the 80’s, when his office undertook the detail design of Athens Olympic Velodrome, he was one of the first in Greece to use computers in order to create the designs. With his distinctive modesty, Lefteris never cared about promoting his work through ostentatious signs. Yet he loved his buildings as real children -this remark coming from a somewhat jealous biological daughter.
   His life’s dream was however, to build his own boat, as sailing was his passion (he was a founding member of “Salamastra” sailing team, after all). So even as far back as in his military service days, he started working towards his goal by assembling a scale model of a wooden vessel -not a small feat, considering that it occupied the entire table in their shared lodgings, as Thanos, one of his oldest, closest friends and colleagues, recalls. And Marianne, another of his first associates and mates, subsequently remembers  that the special boat drawing kit, held a prominent position amongst the chaos of Lefteri’s things in their office in Kolonaki –for despite the order in his mind, messiness was probably his only vice.
   Hence for over 40 years, in his free time he meticulously drew boats at various scales of detail, studying and learning in the process. The beautiful Marelina is the outcome of these efforts. When the economic crisis reached Greece in 2009, the building sector was badly hit. Even though he staunchly believed that he had many creative years ahead, Lefteris was forced to retire. In order to alleviate the resulting stress and boredom, he resorted to work therapy as usually.
   With remarkable determination, he devoted thousands of man hours in research before deciding on the design of a classic wooden boat inspired by the British “pilot cutters”. He then searched among all remaining traditional shipbuilders before selecting to work with Zoumplios brothers with whom he shared the same philosophy and passion.
   Last August, when he learned about his illness, Marelina was almost ready. Amidst chemotherapy and its consequences, Lefteris, with courage, resilience and guts, as well as the help of his good friends, managed to complete his life’s project. On Christmas Eve he brought Marelina to her new home in Eleusis. On his birthday he visited her for the last time and treated himself to a glass of ouzo in his favorite “Diamantis” little tavern nearby. Six days later he left in his sleep. Calm and peaceful, just like his character. With the remarkable dignity that characterized him throughout his life. I'll always remember him dancing zeimpekiko to a song that spoke of brave, real men, true “pallikaria”. Like him.

Bon voyage Captain-Cook ;). As “Salamastra” sailing team motto states: “Sailing, Tasting, Enjoying”. Perpetually hereafter.

Working drawings

Construction snapshots (Spring 2012)