Awo Plan Boat

Bruce McPherson Yacht Designer

We are sad to report the passing of Bruce McPherson, a yacht designer with Sparkman & Stephens from 1965-1979 after a long illness. Bruces primary focus was optimization of I.O.R. Ratings and producing measurement plans. I can see from our archives that over time Bruce was given more and more responsibility until he was working on complete conceptual designs.

While here in the design office he was in very good company working with Olin and Rod Stephens, Mario Tarabocchia, Harry Morgan, David Pedrick, German Frers, Jr, Gerhard Gilgenast, Gary Mull, and others.

We thought the best way to honor his memory (and his work) was to publish some of his plans. These are from design #2077, sailing yacht Arcadia, built by Palmer Johnson Yachts and launched in 1970. She is a 49 aluminum yawl designed for racing but in actuality a boat that would be a great cruising yacht. Bruce signed his drawings with a flourish using the initials: JBmCP. These are the original hand drawings and theyre quite nice. Double click for bigger view.


Here is the finished boat.


Our sincere condolences go out to his family.