Island Packet 440 — EIVIVA — Eiviva Solar Arch

The very first Eiviva Design Yacht Solar Arch was a truly collaborative project, created in close partnership with the boat owner, Tom — an engineer and civil architect. This special journey took place during the winter of the 2021/2022 season. From the beginning, we engaged in long, thoughtful discussions with Tom to fully understand his vision and figure out the best way to achieve it. At that time, our workshop was just a small garage space, technically big enough to build the arch but limited by narrow doors that made moving the fully assembled structure impossible. To overcome this, we utilised a fire door that led into the main boat shed, thanks to Richard, owner and director of Hayling Yacht Company, who generously allocated us a corner to work on projects and store equipment. To honour Tom's invaluable input and the boat that served as our test piece, we named the design after the boat itself — Eiviva. The boat is an Island Packet 440 monohull sailing vessel, and Tom opted for a setup that included a single 450W solar panel, two 4G aerials for Wi-Fi, a Rutland wind generator, and davits for a Highfield UL 2.9M dinghy with a 6HP Honda outboard. He also chose an inner handrail for added strength and style, complemented by corner plates that enhance the arch's aesthetic appeal. The fabrication process was full of lessons and challenges. We carefully drew all shapes, fitting positions, and angles onto sheets of plastic to use as templates. Despite some setbacks — especially with the side frames, which we had to refabricate due to a mismatch in the original drawings — these experiences taught us invaluable lessons. The result exceeded our expectations. The arch fits organically with the boat, as if it was always meant to be part of Eiviva. Every line, curve, and bend complements the boat's original design perfectly. Four years on, this design remains at the top of our sales and continues to grow in popularity.