As the world continues to strive for ‘bigger and better’ so do the super yachts grow in size and quality year after year. Naval architects, yacht designers and builders are continuously challenged by the new generation of Owners as well as the latest technologies on the market. In an age where our natural environment and ecology play an important role, sailing yachts are gaining increase in popularity. Although the world’s largest mega yachts are mainly represented by motor yachts, sailing yachts reach just as impressive overall length, the latest in advanced technology, architecture, design as well as styling – not to mention performance! And as with all luxury yachts, some are kept for the Owner’s pleasure only, whereas others can be enjoyed by means of a sailing yacht charter.
Superyacht Dream Symphony by night – Image courtesy of Dykstra & Partners
There is a new fleet of next generation massive sailing yachts coming very soon, starting with the 147m mega sailing yacht White A currently under construction at Nobiskrug in Germany – part of Abu Dhabi Mar Group. She is reported to feature a beam of 24.38m (79’10”) and a draft of 8 metres (26’2”) once delivered. Her construction has started in March 2012 and she is scheduled for delivery in 2015, however recently published photos of A under construction suggest that there is quite a bit work to be done before she can be launched onto the water. At 147 metres, A will become to largest sailing yacht cruising our waters.
Dream Symphony megayacht top view – Image courtesy of Dykstra & Partners
Mega yacht DREAM SYMPHONY is the second largest yacht currently under build, with the overall length being 141 metres (462’7”). She is being constructed by Dream Ship Victory in Turkey and represents the largest sailing yacht ever built in collaboration with Dykstra & Partners for naval architecture and Ken Freivokh Design for exterior and interior styling. Her designers are also responsible for the spectacular charter yacht MALTESE FALCON design, which suggest that DREAM SYMPHONY is another master-piece to look forward to.
MALTESE FALCON
Maltese FalconOceAnco‘s mega sailing yacht SOLAR is the third yacht in line to join the list of largest yachts in the world with 106 metres in length. She was entirely designed by the acclaimed design studio Nuvolari Lenard with naval architecture by Dykstra Naval Architects and is set for launch in 2015. She is being built with a steel hull and a beam of 15 metres. As her name suggests, SOLAR will be powered by solar energy mainly. Who knows, she might even be available for selected yacht charters for a lucky few!
Oceanco Sailing Yacht SOLAR
Another important yacht to be launched this year is the Vitters-built 85-metre hull 3069 yacht, also known as Project 85. Boasting exterior design by Bill Tripp with interior design by Doelker + Voges, she is expected to have luxurious accommodation for twelve guests and a crew of eighteen. The interior is said to feature modern elements with light-wood and stainless steel details balanced with colourful upholstery.
70m Perini Navi sailing yacht Sybaris
SYBARIS yacht by Perini Navi is another highly-awaited sailing yacht. She is being built by the Italian shipyard with design by their in-house team in partnership with bespoke Philippe Briand. SYBARIS yacht is expected to have stylish and elegant interiors by PH Design. She will also provide her guests with a massive 30-metres guest area situated on the main deck, connected to the spacious cockpit by 4-metre wide sliding doors. She will feature an 18-metre fly-bridge, offering additional outdoor and entertainment area for guests.
2014 DELIVERIES AND LAUNCHES
Year 2014 also saw an important list of sailing yacht deliveries and launches. With the largest 2014 sailing yacht launch being the beautiful traditional Phinisi LAMIMA measuring 65 metres. She is a stunning Indonesian wooden sailing ketch with accommodation to fourteen guests in seven luxurious yet traditionally-styled cabins. LAMIMA combines traditional Indonesian boat-building techniques with modern design, technology and supreme safety. She was designed by Spanish designer Marcello Pena.
Luxury sailing yacht Lamima designed by Marcelo Penna
Launched in 2014 with a very recent delivery, PERSEUS^3 yacht by Perini Navi represents the first sloop in Perini Navi’s new generation of 60-metre series, and the second yacht built from these series. She was designed by the yard’s in-house naval architects in collaboration with Ron Holland, with optimised performance representing a decisive step forward.
Perini Navi luxury yacht PERSEUS³
New Zealand‘s premiere shipyard Alloy Yachts saw the delivery of the majestic 56.4 metre sailing yacht MONDANGO 3 in early 2014, featuring exterior design by Dubois Naval Architects with interior for up to eleven guests in five cabins designed by Reymond Langton Design. Some of her most notable features, in addition to her excellent performance, include the aft deck spa pool, two large tenders stowed below the foredeck and a swing lift centreboard, which allows her to slide into shallow lagoons and waterways by only drawing 4 metres.
56m sailing yacht MONDANGO 3 (AY46) by Alloy Yachts – Image credit to Chris Lewis
Numerous other sailing yachts have been launched in the past few months with others still under construction. No doubt, there are some stunning and impressive vessels to join the worldwide fleet of luxury sailing yachts. In the meantime, here are the top fifteen largest sailing yachts to date. Note that this list will change very soon, once the previously mentioned yachts have been launched.
TOP 15 LARGEST SAILING YACHTS TO DATE
1. 110m SEA CLOUD 1931
2. 92.92m EOS 2006
3. 90m ATHENA 2004
4. 88.12m MALTESE FALCON 2006
5. 75.22m M5 2004
6. 75.15m PHOCEA 1976
7. 69.25m ATLANTIC 2010
8. 67.20M VERTIGO 2011
9. 66.88m HETAIROS 2011
10. 66M AHIMSA (ex AGLAIA) 2012
11. 64.86m ADIX 1984
12. 63.64m SPIRIT OF THE C’S 2003
13. 63.3m CREOLE 1927
14. 62m ATHOS 2010
15. 58.04m ETHEREAL 2008
BUILDING LARGE SAILING YACHTS
With each new build, Owners are commissioning sailing yachts with better and improved performance, ease of handling, safety and reliability. Due to the increasing interest for sailing regattas around the world, the sailing performance plays a larger role in the construction of new generation sailing super yachts. Owners are participating in the regattas not only for sheer enjoyment and fun, but also with a scope of winning. As a result yacht builders and designers are aiming at creating yachts with improved sailing performance. Faster yachts are more efficient and are capable of sailing lower down the wind range and perform better off the wind, thus saving on fuel consumption. Most of the large next generation sailing yachts are built in steel and aluminium, with composite rigging, stiff light and durable moulded sails, freestanding masts, lifting keels, retractable drives, off wind furling Code sails, hydraulic and electric captive winches and other technologies developed in the recent years.
At 4th Superyacht Regatta – Transatlantic Maxi Yacht Cup organized by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda
The fleet of sailing super yachts is represented by a wide range of vessels, be it for luxury yacht charter or for the owner’s private use. There are yachts from high-performance racers right through to heavier displacement yachts for cruising. Today, yacht charterers will find the same level of luxury and unprecedented service aboard sailing yachts as they would by chartering a motor yacht. Although motor yachts offer larger outdoor and indoor areas due to their multi-deck characteristics, sailing yachts provide a more intimate feel and somewhat more hands-on experience. The crew aboard these vessels is extremely well trained, selected upon previous experience and job references, making sure guests aboard are well taken care of and enjoy their yachting holiday not only in style, comfort and luxury, but also in safety.
When planning your next sailing yacht vacation, make sure to approach a charter broker that has access to all the available yachts… and don’t forget to choose an impartial one that works for you personally (not the yacht owner) and has your best interests at heart – like CharterWorld. Our clients’ feedback is the proof of our excellent customer services and expertise! We are the largest professional broker specialising in luxury yacht charters and we are the most dedicated.
For additional details on the above yachts and their possible availability, as well as personalised itineraries, please contact our charter agents who will be glad to assist you in organising your next dream vacation.
