Owner, Alberni Yachts Inc.

Travel and adventure have always been present in Chris’ life. Growing up in a military family led to frequent moves through childhood. Chris first learned to sail in Comox harbour on Vancouver Island, Canada. A sense of adventure prompted studies in International Relations and an internship working with the Canadian Forces in Bosnia as a civilian contractor. The path towards a Captain’s licence and work on the water was set after his first Atlantic crossing as unpaid delivery crew led to the discovery of the yachting industry. Returning from a decade on the water Chris put his efforts towards building community at home in British Columbia. A career in local government offered a rewarding chance to build management and leadership skills.

The opportunity to work with world renowned Yacht Designer Ron Holland and ground-breaking Naval Architect Laura Fuge, was the impetus for the creation of Alberni Yachts Inc. Laura, Ron and Chris make an effective team on and off the water, working towards launching world class adventure yachts from Vancouver Island, Canada. Chris would like to see Vancouver Island take it’s place among the most highly respected yacht building locations in the world.

Yacht Designer

Ron Holland’s name is revered around the sailing world, along with his award-winning list of yacht designs. Ron hails from humble beginnings in Auckland, New Zealand, and became entranced with sailing from an early age. From crewing and racing in his teens, he developed his passion and natural talent for creating better and faster designs. He drew his first yacht at age 19, and spent his early professional years in San Francisco working for yacht designer Gary Mull. His own first racing design, Eygthene, won the World Quarter Ton Cup Championship in 1973.

After establishing Ron Holland Design in Ireland, Ron chose Vancouver, BC, as the permanent base for his company. In 2018 he published his autobiographical memoir “All The Oceans: Designing by the seat of my pants”, which was an Indie Book of the Year winner in the Travel category. In 2019 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Boat International at the Design and Innovation Awards in Italy. Both in 2019 and 2020 his designs won the Voyager Award for Sailing Yacht design “Rosehearty” and Motor Yacht design “Dorothea III” respectively.

Ron brings an illustrious career and an insatiable thirst for excellence and innovation to his collaboration with Chris Baker and Alberni Yachts’ Sail Explorer Series.

Naval Architect

Laura Fuge is a compatriot of Ron Holland and also shares his passion for pioneering yacht design. Coincidentally a fellow Aucklander, she found her athletic niche in competitive sailing, competing in national races in high school, and being named Auckland Girls Fleet Champion. Following local races, she established her reputation internationally, sailing in Melbourne and then Europe. She pursued her undergraduate studies at Canterbury University in Christchurch, where she graduated with Honours in Mechanical Engineering. Her graduate studies took her to Vancouver, where she obtained her Masters of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from UBC, specializing in naval architecture and yacht design.

Laura’s professional experience drew upon her post-secondary studies: she interned as a mechanical engineer both at Transfield Worley Power Services in Melbourne and at Andritz HYDRO’s R&D department in Switzerland. In 2017 she was the industry representative for Women in Engineering.

Laura is a citizen of New Zealand and a Canadian resident. Following her graduation, she became a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. With her keen eye for detail, breadth of engineering knowledge, and a familiarity with CAD modeling software, Laura is pleased to join forces with her mentor Ron Holland to create Sail Explorer designs for Alberni Yachts.