Last week we have published an article about the mast stepping of the 38m Perini Navi sloop DAHLAK (C.2130) and it’s nearing launch date. Today, we have received information from the Perini Navi shipyard that beautiful sailing yacht DAHLAK hit the water on Saturday with success.
DAHLAK almost on the water
Boasting beautiful lines by Philippe Briand, DAHLAK is a sistership to the award-winning P2, launched by the Italian yard in 2008. The yacht represents a considerable step up in size, poet and complexity in comparison to the owner’s previous yacht, a sailing catamaran of 60 feet. The Owner looks forward to the experience of skippering his new 38-metre, following his achievement of receiving the Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence – which is unusual even for such a passionate and hands-on sailor.
DAHLAK has the same rig configuration and basic naval architecture as P2, which includes an almost vertical bow to stretch the waterline length to the maximum and a high-aspect ratio sail plan for fast upwind sailing.
Key features, that are different to those on P2 include the fact that DAHLAK is constructed completely in Sealium aluminium alloy, whereas P2 with composite superstructure. There are also a number of technical innovations aboard the new yacht, enhancing performance, sail handling and overall comfort on board.
DAHLAK getting ready for launch
The most important innovation aboard this yacht, and the first for Perini Navi, is her Lithium polymer marine bus system that provides her with a total of 136kWh of electrical energy. Depending on which sailing and hotel systems are in use while either under way or at anchor, the battery banks can provide up to 8 hours silent autonomy with the fixed-speed generators switched off, resulting in less noise and fewer diesel emissions. Dahlak’s lifting keel can vary draught from 3.5m to 5.5m, but the extra weight of the batteries low down in the hull combined with a heavier torpedo bulb removed the need for water ballast.
To further satisfy owner’s wishes for fast and easy sail handling, in addition to the Harken deck winches the yacht has three semi-automatic electric captive winches engineered by Perini Navi and a carbon fibre furling boom. Providing performance and safety in all sea conditions, the captive winches and boom are syn-chronized by the Perini Navi Automated Sail Handling System to dramatically improve furling and deployment speeds, while significantly reducing the time for tacking and jibing compared to the previous generation P2.
DAHLAK launched at Perini Navi
On P2 the manual sail handling controls were located between the twin helm wheels in middle of the cockpit, whereas the automated system aboard Dahlak has been integrated into the carbon fibre helm stations to be within easy reach when the yacht is sailed single-handed. The lightweight hull and widespread use of composite com-ponents, including the 51.40m mast by Southern Spars with composite EC6+ stand-ing rigging, provide a displacement of 162t (gross tonnage is 171GT).
DAHLAK’s exterior styling created by Philippe Briand focuses on the yacht’s racy and dynamic character. Perini Navi collaborated with the designer to raise the height of the superstructure by 15cm for a more comfortable and luminous interior without affecting the svelte exterior profile. The resulting sense of space to spare is enhanced by the strip skylight running the length of the coachroof that floods the deckhouse with natural light (all the glazing in the salon has been specially treated to filter damaging and heat-producing IR and UV rays).
The cockpit features flexible dining and seating and is well protected by a deployable dodger and bimini top, while the generous transom garage can house a 16-foot Castoldi jet tender—quite an achievement on a 38m sailing yacht. The interior layout is similar to P2 with accommodation for up to eight guests in a full-beam owner’s stateroom and two en-suite cabins (the forward guest cabin is ideal for children with Pullman bunks and a single bed on slide rails to create a double).
Sailing yacht DAHLAK at Perini Navi being launched
Elsewhere the owner requested minor modifications. The galley, for example, has been extended by one frame and includes a serving hatch, while the deckhouse dining and seating area upholstered in fresh cotton fabrics by Zimmer+Rohde is now separated from the navigation station by the waist-height joinery. The well-appointed and spacious crew quarters can accommodate up to 6 crew in three en-suite cabins. The custom interior design was devised in-house by Perini Navi. Bleached teak veneers are accented with high-gloss teak and brushed stainless steel detailing, while the floors are of satin-finished teak with white “caulking”. The white lacquered ceiling and leather furniture surfaces in the deckhouse salon provide a light and airy ambience. Pearl grey and blue leather panels and headboards appear in the cabins in combination with ash wood ceilings and soft furnishings by Loro Piana.
In combination with Dahlak’s Perini blue hull and oyster white superstructure, the overall effect is sober and sophisticated, yet warmly welcoming and family friendly vessel.
