UK-based design studio, Tim Gilding Marine Design, has unveiled their latest concept – the impressive 73-metre motor yacht Project Sapphire. Superyacht Project Sapphire has been designed for an imaginary owner, who has three major goals for his next new vessel.
73m mega yacht Project Sapphire by Tim Gilding Marine Design - Image credit to Tim Gilding Marine Design
Firstly, it has to carry the overall aesthetic of an explorer-style yacht, whilst remaining sleek and minimalist in form and detail. Secondly, it must be light and airy, with a spacious and relaxed interior that allows easy indoor-outdoor flow, so that the owners and their guests can truly enjoy the experience of being at sea. And finally, it must be capable of operating efficiently and comfortably on long ocean passages, using hybrid propulsion and energy-recovery systems, whilst keeping the owners and their guests safe in the some of the more treacherous waters of the world.
Luxury yacht Project Sapphire - Main Deck Aft - Image credit to Tim Gilding Marine Design
The resulting design is the 73m displacement yacht Project Sapphire. The long, straight lines with plumb bow and minimalist exterior address this first criteria. The aesthetic is long and sleek but carries the raw, functional forms of trawlers and explorers.
Project Sapphire Yacht - Upper Deck Aft - Image credit to Tim Gilding Marine Design
The vast expanses of glass and overhanging wings on the salon deck flood the enormous central atrium with natural light. The area is immensely spacious and is decorated in a relaxed, comfortable fashion.
Superyacht Project Sapphire - Main Saloon - Image credit to Tim Gilding Marine Design
Addressing the final criteria is a long slender hullform with plumb bow and semi-bulbous bow sections, creating a fast hull with low resistance and dampened pitching moment. This is all driven by a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system given an 8,000nm range at 18 knots. A number of external features have also been designed to minimize the threat of piracy, including minimal access points and lack of external stairways.
Project Sapphire superyacht has also been designed to use the Tim Gilding-designed Aperto 8.5m open yacht tender and Barrel-Back 8.3m superyacht tender designs.
Technical Specifications of mega yacht Project Sapphire:
LOA – 73.5m
LWL – 73.0m
BOA – 14.5m
Draft – 2.5m
Displ. – 986 tonnes
Power – 3,300hp
Guests – 12
Crew – 16
Construction – Aluminium
Class – GL
Propulsion – Diesel-electric Azimuth pod-drive system
Range 8,000nm
Cruising Speed – 18 knots
