Reimagination | The Process
The Inspiration
The original Q7 'Falcon' is a joy to sail. With a generous sail area, narrow beam and low freeboard she offers a connection to the water that's both metaphoric and literal. In light air and smooth waters she has a level of performance that still gives many of her more modern counterparts a run for their money. Fans of the Q Class include three times America's Cup winner Dennis Connor who owned and sailed Q8, 'Cotton Blossom II' in San Diego and the French sailing legend Bruno Trouble who owned and raced Q16, 'Jour de Fete'.
"I’ve been sailing all my life on the best boats and these Q boats are a dream to sail ... They are true racing boats, you ease an inch on the main and it changes the boat completely. Adjusting the runners makes a difference. They’re extremely sensitive and subtle.” Bruno Troublé, March 2016 issue of Classic Boat Magazine
In 2023 I joined the 'Q' when I had the opportunity to become the latest custodian of the original 1926 Q Class - Q7 'Falcon'. What started as a love of the long overhangs and low freeboard of Universal Rule designs, became an appreciation for the 'analogue' sailing experience Q7 and t he other Q's offer.
Q7 arriving in San Diego September 2023
The original Q7 Falcon getting her rig tuned in San Diego Bay, October 2023
Q7 with the 'Solana' Commission, A Porsche 911 Reimagined by Singer..
Peter Silvester, Founder Q7 Yacht Designs
The Idea
As much as I love sailing Falcon I've always felt a deep responsibility to respect and look after what is, in fact, a 100 year old historic treasure. For years I had watched the resto-mod movement evolve in the auto-industry, admiring companies like Singer Vehicle Designs and Eagle E-Types who had the courage to 'reimagine' iconic designs like the Porsche 911 and Jaguar E-Type. Despite equally stunning designs, no-one, other than perhaps mega-wealthy J Class enthusiasts, had 'reimagined' a sailboat... taking an original design but imagining, or to use Rob Dickenson, Founder of Singer's phrase, 'reimaginging' what it could be today - this was the genesis of what became 'The Falcon Study'.
The premise was simple : what might the designers of Q7 have done if they had access to everything we have today? The challenge, was where to draw the line?
One of our earliest decisions was to honor the original hull lines drawn in 1926 which meant the same dimensions, sail plan and displacement - authentically Q Class. The next step was to development some principles that could guide us through the project:
The Guiding Principles
1 : Authentically Q Class
Q7 Falcon is a racing sailboat. Designed under the Universal Rule of Measurement she represented the pinnacle of design and manufacturing excellence at that time. Our starting point was to work within the same rules that governed Q Class racing in 1926. The aim was to provide a relatively objective 'true north' for our decisions with similar constraints and trade offs to those faced by the Starling Burgess and his team in 1926. Guiding Principle
2 :Re-Imagined, not Replicated
The next guiding principle has proved more challenging as it's totally subjective and somewhat contradictory - to ensure that the 2026 commission honors the essence of 'Falcon' while having her own distinct identity, re-imagining what the designers may have done if they had access to today's materials, systems and technologies.Guiding Principle
3 :Every Detail Matters
We know 'Falcon' is beautiful and she represents a class of racing sailboats that has delighted some of the worlds most renowned sailors, including America's Cup legends Dennis Connor and Bruno Troublé who both chose classic Q Class sailboats to personally own and race. Our goal is to produce a beautiful sailboat that the 'Falcon Study' team are proud of, that will inspire and delight generations of sailors for another 100 years. To do this will require the best of the amazing team that has come together, with no compromises.
An early overlay of the original Q7 and the new, reimagined, Q7-1
Almost every part on a Singer Commission has been reconsidered and reimagined
Deck gear perfectly placed because every detail matters
The Design Brief :
To re-imagine 'Falcon' for 2026 creating a modern masterpiece of exquisite craftsmanship that blends traditional Q Class design with the best systems, technologies and materials available today.
We're not saying this is THE perfect Q7 because that's presumptuous, arrogant and subjective. Our goal was to build OUR perfect Q7. There will be many opinions, debates and disagreements but we hope that you enjoy the results of our efforts.
Peter Silvester, Founder Q7 Yacht Designs
The Design Philosophy :
Authentically Q Class, Unmistakably 'Falcon'
- Retain 'Falcons' distinctive silhouette including her original hull lines, full keel, and fractional rig.
- Hand-crafted using state-of-the-art wood/epoxy construction techniques
- True to the original Universal Rule 'Q Class' rating
Sustainability at it's Core
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Wooden hull construction using timber from responsibly managed forests
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Minimize use of non-recyclable materials
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Electric propulsion with re-gen. capabilityil
Simple to Sail Single or Short Handed
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Electric Winches
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Autopilot paired with state of the art electronics package and instruments
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Bow Thruster to aid maneuverability
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Innovative Head Sail Furling system using traditional 'hanked' headsails
A modern masterpiece without compromise.
Every Detail Matters