Throughout its great history, Ireland has amassed an unequalled trove of tradition and myth. Lia Fail—the Stone of Destiny—was one of the sacred symbols of Tuatha de Danann, the ancient god-like race said to have settled the Emerald Isle. The stone had been placed on the mound of Tara and, ever after, when it called out, the rightful kings of Ireland were chosen. Thus, “Lia Fail” is the perfect name for the yacht that an ambitious couple was destined to build.

Delivered last summer by Northern Marine, Lia Fail is that yard’s largest launch. It builds on the Washington company’s tradition of providing its customers luxurious, solidly built, bluewater yachts.
 
For Pete and Lynn Murphy, 152-foot Lia Fail embodies lessons learned over three decades of boating, many spent exploring the Caribbean from their base in North Carolina.

“Back in the seventies,” Pete Murphy recalled, “we had a boat we could overnight on, and we ran it on down to the Bahamas. Water is something we’ve just not been able to get enough of, so we gradually kept moving up.

“We ran the gamut…all the way on up to a one-hundred-sixteen Broward. We bought the ninety-five-footer Admiral. Then we decided to build the big boat. (Click image to enlarge)

“We learned a lot building the Broward, but it wasn’t big enough to do some of the things we wanted. We’re not people who run from dock to dock; we spend a lot of time at anchor. We like to travel to remote places—and we like to have our friends along.”

The search for a new design and builder took several years. The couple seriously considered an expedition-style boat. It would have had the benefits of low maintenance and operating costs. Yet, despite the allure of the expedition lifestyle, the look and appeal of a “gentleman’s yacht”—and more solid resale potential—won out.

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“I’m the type of person that, when making an investment, I like to feel that it’s a good one,” Murphy explained. “I was thinking that, although at the time, expedition boats were really coming on, they never turned the corner. So, I went back to what I call the ‘white boat’ concept, and to having a boat that I thought would be easier to sell and more appealing to the eye, while still giving the lines and details we wanted.”

Murphy added that the concept evolved in terms of construction materials, too. “I used to think I’d build out of steel, because I wanted a displacement boat. Then I talked to a lot of people, and saw more—and bigger—boats being made of fiberglass, and so I decided that ’glass was the way to go.”The couple commissioned fellow Carolinian Ward Setzer to provide a turnkey design that included exterior styling, naval architecture, space planning and interior design. Sheila Stevens, who had worked with the owners on several other projects, collaborated with Lynn Murphy to develop the décor. Setzer Design prepared hundreds of detail drawings for the boat—by far, the firm’s most complex commission. Setzer explained, “We saw it as a philosophy of holistic, unique, buildable designs…from every nuance of exterior shape, shadow, touch and feel, to the architectural detail of the joinery,” he said. “We researched and developed every custom-molding and spatial arrangement, as well as the mix of textures and ergonomics.”

The Murphys enjoyed the process, which, from the outset, they had believed would certainly be the crowning achievement of their boating-building adventures. “We decided we were going to put our hearts and souls, so to speak, into this boat,” Murphy stated. “It was going to be our last,” he adds with a laugh, “or, could be. You know how it is: After you’ve owned one for six months or even two years, it’s never your last. Of course, this one wasn’t going to be; but we were going to put all of our energies into this boat, and design it to be exactly like we wanted.”

Murphy noted one of his requirements was deck space to carry a tender large enough to accommodate long legs. “I’ve run a hundred miles between islands in a small boat in a single day,” he said. “We dive. We snorkel. We just love being on—and in—the water.”

Since Lia Fail would spend a good deal of time in the Bahamas, Setzer gave her a generous beam that allows for a shallow draft. The extra volume translated into spacious staterooms and public areas: There are expansive exterior lounges on all decks. Because the tender is carried athwartships on the sun deck, the after end of the bridge deck has space for a dining table under the hardtop, and two semi-circular settees with tables under the sky.
 
The décor is elegant throughout. Sumptuous textiles set off makoré and madrone joinery and mesh well with traditional details such as passage doors with beveled glass and arched headers.Particularly pleasing is the owner’s suite, which is forward of the main deck. Rather small rooms, its office, sitting room and stateroom flow from one to another, separated only by low furniture that fosters communication between spaces.

The family enjoys informal dining. The galley is arranged in a “country kitchen” style: A diagonally placed island divides a large table and settee from the rest of the room. This enlarges the dining space, and makes good use of an otherwise-blank corner, while directing traffic from the “golden triangle” for preparation and cooking that professional chefs prefer.

There are four guest cabins, two with queen berths, two with kings. There is a cozy study off the lower lobby to port. Fitted with desk, computer, sofa and Pullman berth, it doubles as sleeping cabin for pilot or nanny.
 
Maneuver among the Out Islands is an important requirement. Lia Fail is fitted with Barke articulating rudders to increase efficiency and close-quarter handling. At anchor, comfort is enhanced by Trac STAR stabilization. Both contribute to a better ride, which will be much appreciated as the Murphys prepare the voyages about which they have dreamt since they bought their first boat.

“I believe we’ve built as fine a boat as we know how to build,” Murphy said, “I also believe that it’s as fine a boat—in its class—as has been built in this country.

“We’ve learned so much after building a couple of boats, it seems a shame to not even consider building another. We have mixed thoughts…but, first, we plan to really enjoy this one.”

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