Nigel Irens

This article contains promotional content. Please help improve it by removing promotional language and inappropriate external links, and by adding encyclopedic text written from a neutral point of view. (December 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Nigel Irens RDI is a yacht designer. He is the designer of the Adventure which is a 35m trimaran motor yacht which completed a circumnavigation in 1998. He also designed the B&Q/Castorama [fr] which is a 23 m sailing trimaran used by Ellen MacArthur to break the world record for solo circumnavigation in 2005.^[1]

In addition to performance yachts, his design portfolio includes cruising designs such as Roxane,^[2] and other sailing designs of traditional appearance such as the Westernman^[3] cutters. He also designed the launch Rangeboat which is a 12m power craft of traditional appearance.

Irens' designs are recognized for their simplicity, efficiency, and, essential elegance.^[4] They synthesise traditional forms with modern materials and methods of construction, with Carbon fibre masts,^[2] laminated frames,^[3] and epoxied strip wood^[5] strongly in evidence.

The late Ed Burnett worked for Irens at the start of his career as a yacht designer. They collaborated on projects and worked together on designs such as Zinnia, a 30ft gaff cutter, Kilrush Nomad II, a 43ft gaff cutter,^[6] the Westernman cutters^[3] and the King Alfred dinghy^[7] to be built by King Alfred School in London. By 2012, the school had built three, and use them to introduce students to dinghy cruising.^[7]