Build of the yacht is nearing completion at JFA Yachts in France and is scheduled for launch later this year. The hull and lower superstructure are of aluminium construction, with the upper superstructure in composite to minimise weight and achieve a lower centre of gravity.
HYD developed the design of this high-endurance explorer in close collaboration with the Client and Owner’s Representation, A2B Marine Projects. The brief was to design an explorer yacht for family use and global cruising that would offer exceptional efficiency, comfort, and safety. The yacht was to be capable of sustained periods of self-sufficiency and operation when cruising the more remote areas of our planet.
HYD is responsible for both the naval architecture and exterior styling, and the yacht will feature an interior by m2atelier.
The yacht features a highly refined fast-displacement hull form, light displacement, hybrid propulsion, stabiliser fins in combination with a large gyro, and has the capacity to carry large tenders and multiple toys.
She’s been specified with a 9.25m tender, which will be launched via a dedicated C-davit to ensure ease and speed of launch in a seaway, whilst a secondary deck crane provides additional, multi-functional lifting capability with reach extending over the aft deck, stern platform, engine room and lazarette. A third crane, concealed in the foredeck, provides launch and recovery for the rescue boat and jet skis.
The exterior design champions large panels of glazing and single-level decks facilitate 360-degree views – essential for that all-important connection with the yacht’s environmental surroundings.
The Owner’s Suite is situated on the upper deck and features a private lounge and office area, with an exterior lounge space and Jacuzzi. There are four guest cabins on the lower deck, and she’ll be able to accommodate 10 in total with further quarters for a complement of 10 crew.
Maintaining a good degree of separation between service areas and guest social spaces was a key aspect of the brief and resulted in the incorporation of a centreline walkway on the tank deck to allow crew direct and discreet access to the engine room from the forward crew area, which is an unusual and technically challenging feature on a light displacement 50-metre yacht.
The galley, main saloon and dining area are located on the main deck, where there’s also an exterior lounge with bar and integrated BBQ, space for sun loungers, and a day head.
It was essential that the yacht’s seagoing characteristics result in reduced environmental impact compared to a more typical motoryacht of this size and stature, and that’s been realised through the optimisation of the hull form in combination with a parallel hybrid propulsion system with twin shaft drives, powered by MTU 12V 2000 M72 Diesel engines, coupled to ZF PTI/PTO gearboxes and 290kW Danfoss electric motors.
The yacht is equipped with an expansive array of solar panels and a high-capacity battery system, enabling silent, emissions-free operation for extended periods when at anchor or in harbour, and when low-speed cruising.
A top speed of 20 knots will be achievable in hybrid boost mode, with normal cruising speeds anticipated at 12-16 knots. At her 12-knot economical cruising speed, the yacht has a range in excess of 5,000nm.
