Archipelago Yachts in Bodrum, Turkey, has announced that it has a 40‐metre, modern classic schooner called sailing yacht ZanZiba in build, with the launch scheduled for the autumn of this year. This distinctive and unusual project is characterised by a light and exceptionally spacious interior that is unusual in traditional‐style wooden craft, and its six double / twin, en‐suite guest cabins give it the scale of accommodation more often found on motor rather than sailing yachts of this size.
S/Y ZanZiba features naval architecture by Alparslan Tekogul, supported by Paul Spooner of Fairlie Restorations. Exterior and interior styling is by David Wright Design.
40m sailing yacht ZanZiba by Archipelago Yachts
Christened ZanZiba by its British owner, the plan is that this be the first in a series of such yachts. “The intention is to create a worldwide cruising yacht that combines the charm of a traditional schooner design with the discreet application of the latest in marine and lifestyle technology,” the owner is quoted as saying. “She will evoke an earlier age of adventurous Mediterranean and tropical voyaging, but without the accompanying hardships.”
The modern systems on board yacht ZanZiba referred to include everything from air conditioning, CCTV, WiFi and a full Lantic entertainment system to NavTec rod rigging, Stratis™ sails by Doyle, hydraulic winches by Lewmar and Harken and comprehensive navigation, electrical and hotel systems.
Sailing Yacht ZanZiba Saloon
40m Schooner ZanZiba - Archipelago Yachts
The accommodation is spread over two decks, with a spacious deckhouse containing the saloon and covered dining area offering spectacular views, and a lower deck with the guest cabins, crew quarters and service areas.
Sailing yacht ZanZiba - Archipelago Yachts
The owner of ZanZiba yacht has deliberately forgone the usual route of having a full‐width owners’ suite and has instead chosen a design that allows for six, en‐suite guest cabins ‐ two master doubles, two master twins, one double with an additional single bunk and a twin with a Pullman berth. This configuration allows him to entertain a substantial group of family or friends, as well as making sailing yacht ZanZiba a desirable charter vessel. The crew quarters are situated aft of the engine room and have berths for eight crew plus a mess area.
Yacht ZanZiba - Archipelago Yachts
The interior design can be described as colonial in style with teak, burr oak and zebrano veneers accented by bronze and nickel fittings to create a rich effect dominated by natural tones reminiscent of an earlier and more leisured era. Use of woven rattan and leather add to the overall impression of natural luxury and tactile, three‐dimensional textures.
The hull of ZanZiba is being built using the cold‐moulding process, by which a laminate hull is built up using thin, resin‐infused wood planking. The result is a rigid structure with an excellent strength to weight ratio, and one that requires little maintenance being both impenetrable to marine parasites and proof from osmosis.
Sailing yacht ZanZiba - Archipelago Yachts
“We are delighted with the rapid progress that is being made,” the owner commented further, “and the quality of the finish is truly excellent. When she is completed she will undoubtedly stand out as a lifestyle cruising superyacht that combines the best in maritime traditions with modern building techniques and equipment.”
