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Sea Eagle II: The inside story of the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht

Yachting World

  • June 17, 2020

Rupert Holmes talks to the build and design teams behind the 81m Royal Huisman flagship Sea Eagle II, which recently completed her sea trials off the coast of the Netherlands

Royal Huisman has an enviable track record of producing superlative sailing superyachts , with hundreds of projects completed to date. Yet the latest vessel to leave the shipyard is extraordinary even by these standards. She is the world’s largest aluminium yacht and is one of the top ten biggest sailing yachts ever built. 

Sea Eagle II is a magnificent 81m/266ft three-masted Panamax schooner, created by the same Dykstra and Mark Whiteley Design collaboration that produced the stunning 56m/186ft Royal Huisman ketch Aquarius just over a year ago. 

Her very experienced owner has sailed all his life and spent a lot of time at sea. “ Sailing around the world in the weekends is a phrase often used to outline his days on board,” says Royal Huisman project manager Arjo Spans. He is also a repeat client – the original Sea Eagle is a 43m/143ft Frers/Rhoades Young design launched by the Dutch yard in 2015. 

worlds-largest-aluminium-sailing-yacht-81m-royal-huisman-sea-eagle-II-launched-aerial-view-credit-Tom-Van-Oossanen

Sea Eagle II is due to be delivered to her owner in July 2020. Photo: Tom Van Oossanen

Initially the brief for the new boat was for a more classical yacht, similar to the 79m/259ft three-masted gaff schooner Athena , which Royal Huisman built for Silicon Valley mogul Jim Clark in 2004. However, the owner quickly realised he would prefer a more modern yacht: a fast-looking hull shape with straight lines, long waterline and plumb bow. The concept of Sea Eagle II was born. 

“Having worked with him to build the original Sea Eagle , we understood the owner’s priorities from the start,” says Spans. “These are: low maintenance, functionality, and safety, including ease of moving around the yacht, even when heeled at sea.

“For each of the key aspects of the boat he asked for three proposals, he would then choose one of them and leave us to implement it,” Spans adds. “He put a huge amount of trust in the shipyard and in our craftsmanship.”

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The scale of this yacht is nothing short of astounding. The sleek hull lines belie the 4m/13ft freeboard and the two-tier deckhouse, including a half-raised bridge, looks entirely in proportion. The main deck-level accommodation has a huge expanse of glass, with the 360º view interrupted only by minimal mullions. There are also acres of cockpit space, with room left over for a long sweep of uncluttered aft deck.

Mark Whiteley was responsible for developing the interior and refining the exterior styling. He created a simple and modern style for the interior, with straight lines. Lacquered Alpi walnut wall panels, brushed natural oak floors and dark stained wenge trims are complemented by light colour leather handrails and upholstered wall panels.

Part of the brief was for the yacht to be able to host business meetings – the forward part of the superstructure therefore includes a large saloon with expansive seating, plus a 16-seat table for formal dining.

worlds-largest-aluminium-sailing-yacht-81m-royal-huisman-sea-eagle-II-launched-aft-deck-credit-Rondal

The largest winches are capable of a tremendous 18-tonne pulling load. Photo: Rondal

A technical challenge 

Dykstra Naval Architects drew a narrow and efficient hull shape with a maximum beam of only 12.4m/40ft, while displacement has been kept down to a relatively light 1,050 tonnes at full load. The final shape was achieved following extensive computational flow dynamics (CFD) calculations, velocity prediction programming (VPP), and testing in both tow tanks and wind tunnels. These all helped to determine sail balance, keel position and predicted rudder angles.

The plumb bow is balanced by a modest, but graceful, stern overhang, with a contemporary, relatively wide transom at deck level. Twin knuckle lines extend aft from near the bow, merging into one amidships and then forming a chine aft. Right aft the hull has negative curvature on the flare below the chine, which gives interesting reflections in the gleaming paintwork.

The lead naval architect, Dykstra’s Erik Wassen, told me he introduced the knuckle lines to give the hull “a bolder and more interesting shape.” The owner liked the concept and Mark Whiteley helped to refine the detail. Wassen describes the underwater shape as being: “a very modern round bilge shape, with a nice slender hull that gives good sailing capabilities.” Appendages are a conventional fin keel and balanced rudder.

worlds-largest-aluminium-sailing-yacht-81m-royal-huisman-sea-eagle-II-launch-hull-credit-Priska-van-der-Meulen

Photo: Priska van der Meulen

The latter presented an interesting technical challenge, according to Wassen. Initially they looked at fabricating the rudder stock in steel, but that alone would weigh three tonnes. Screening a number of alternatives led to a decision to use carbon for the stock, with a foam core section clad in a relatively thin composite skin for the blade. 

The result is what it’s producer, Royal Huisman’s sister company Rondal, believes to be the biggest ever carbon rudder, weighing only 1,250kg, which helps to keep weight out of the ends of the boat. The weight saving here also enabled the intended fore and aft trim to be achieved with the ballast in its optimal location.

The rudder includes load sensors to record and verify torque, side forces and bending moment while sailing. “There is not much load data available for rudders of this size of sailing yacht, so it’s very conservatively engineered,” says Spans. Fibre-optic sensors are incorporated to enable a database to be created that will help with designing future composite rudders for very large yachts.

Due to the distance of the helm stations from the rudder, the steering is via an electric-hydraulic system, which means there’s no feedback from the helm. The plan is to investigate whether data from the sensors can be used in a feedback system to give a more natural feel to steering the boat under sail. 

Structural engineering

This is one of the most interesting elements of yacht design, yet is all too often under appreciated. Extensive modelling showed a couple of unexpected problems that needed clever solutions during Sea Eagle II ’s design and engineering. 

Instead of the hull flexing smoothly under load, like an I-beam, the presence of a forward intermediate deck introduced hard spots in this area, resulting in stress concentrations at the forward end of the superstructure. This required a lot of design work to create a smooth transition of stress from the lower deck to the intermediate one and then on to the upper deck.

worlds-largest-aluminium-sailing-yacht-81m-royal-huisman-sea-eagle-II-cad

Structural engineering was extensively modelled for Sea Eagle II

The roof of the superstructure also posed a challenge, in that the inside surface of a beam needs to become shorter as it flexes. But the original plan for the aluminium roof wasn’t able to accommodate this, with the result the modelling showed stresses concentrating in the corners of the mullions and in the glass itself. 

The solution was to avoid welding the top of the mullions to the roof, opting instead for a flexible joint that allows for movement when necessary. Wassen likens it to the joints in large buildings that need to be included to allow for thermal expansion and contraction.

Whiteley also helped to refine the exterior styling. In addition to the detail of the knuckles, his input helped to refine the shapes – particularly curves and softening corners – in the superstructure.

worlds-largest-aluminium-sailing-yacht-81m-royal-huisman-sea-eagle-II-launched-rigging-detail-credit-Crea-Fragma-Rondal

COVID-19 restrictions meant her delivery date had to be pushed back by 3 months. Photo: Crea Fragma / Rondal

Panamax rig

The requirement to be able to clear the Bridge of the Americas at the Pacific end of the Panama canal called for the schooner rig with three equal masts. All are of carbon and are made by Rondal, with integrated sail handling systems and Carbo-Link carbon standing rigging.

Each mast has in-boom furling, while the aft two have staysails for use when reaching. The tank and wind tunnel testing was used to verify different headsail options, particularly to determine the differences between a large blade jib versus a large staysail or yankee.

“Obviously you have better windward performance with a large blade,” says Wassen, “but as soon as you bear away the yankee is much more forgiving in trimming, so we decided that made more sense.” A further advantage is that when the yankee is part furled the sheeting point remains the same. 

worlds-largest-aluminium-sailing-yacht-81m-royal-huisman-sea-eagle-II-launched-mast-detail-close-up-credit-Rondal

Rondal’s Integrated Sailing System consists of the three carbon Panamax masts with furling booms, hydraulic boomvangs, headsail furling systems, deck winches and equipment, captive winches and continuous solid carbon standing rigging by Carbo-Link, all equipped with load sensing capabilities. Photo: Rondal

In addition, a blade jib requires much higher sheet loads to maintain leech tension. Even though Sea Eagle II is a three-masted yacht, the yankee sheet loads are still predicted to reach 18 tonnes – but this still allows standard-size captive winches to be used, rather than larger custom-made units.

The Panamax limitation obviously poses the question as to whether sail area needed to be compromised to fulfil this criteria. However, this is clearly not the case for Sea Eagle II . Hull speed is close to 20 knots and the yacht is clearly capable of surfing at much higher speeds, despite being designed as a pure cruiser. This role, of course, suggests keeping heel angles to a maximum of 10-15°. 

Nevertheless, the VPP figures suggest potential boat speeds of 17-18 knots in 16 knots of true breeze with a true wind angle of 70°. “As soon as you can ease the sheets a little bit, we have a lot of sail area,” says Wassen, “so on a beam reach, I wouldn’t be surprised if a steady 20 knots is possible.” 

Specification

LOA: 81m (266ft) Air draught: 62m (205ft) Hull: Aluminium Guest accommodation: 11 Crew accommodation: 14 Exterior styling: Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whiteley Design Naval Architecture: Dykstra Naval Architects Interior design: Mark Whiteley Design Classification: Lloyd’s MCA (LY-3)

First published in the April 2020 edition of Supersail World.

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Jeff Bezos’ New Yacht Is Finally Ready to Set Sail

Amazon’s founder has been spotted on Koru, a massive schooner with a design that evokes the golden age of sailing in the early 20th century.

Koru, a very large sailboat with three masts and a dark navy hull, sails on a calm blue sea.

By Kevin Koenig

Just in time for the high season of yachting in the Mediterranean, when multimillion-dollar megayachts descend on ports like Monte Carlo and St. Tropez, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has been photographed with his partner Lauren Sánchez on his new boat, Koru, off the coast of Spain.

Mr. Bezos’ vessel is a sailing yacht, a departure from the diesel-powered, floating palaces popular with other billionaires. But it is still massive. At 417 feet, Koru is the world’s largest sailing yacht, according to Boat International , and it cost an estimated $500 million to build, Bloomberg reported . (Parsifal III, the boat featured on Bravo’s reality series “Below Deck Sailing Yacht,” is 177 feet long — less than half the length of Koru — and cost $18 million , according to the website SuperYachtFan.)

A spokesperson for Mr. Bezos did not comment for this article; neither did Oceanco, Koru’s builder. Here is what to know about the boat.

For traditionalists, Koru is refreshing. At a time when yacht design skews outrageous — see the lizardlike, 262-foot Artefact or the otherworldly 463-foot Yas — Koru stands out as a schooner, a sailing vessel with two or more masts. Photos reveal a large sailboat with three masts, an on-deck pool and a voluptuous mermaid on the bow, that bears a resemblance to Ms. Sánchez. But otherwise, the sleek, classic lines suggest the patrician age of yachting in the early 20th century, said Robert B. MacKay, author of “The Golden Age of Newport Yachting: Between the Wars.”

“With the clipper bow and the dark hull and the masts,” Mr. MacKay said, referring to Koru’s concave, pointy forward section, “it reminds me of a boat built in 1930 for J.P. Morgan Jr., Corsair IV. It is almost like a reincarnation. It’s certainly at odds with the stuff the oligarchs are building — those look like bloated Clorox bottles.”

Compared with the world’s very largest motor yachts — built for sheer size and the accompanying bragging rights — Koru could almost be considered quaint. Azzam, one of the world’s largest motor yachts, is nearly 200 feet longer.

The Experience

Koru will be propelled primarily by the wind. “Sailboats are usually greener than most powerboats,” said Don Anderson, a former captain of M5 , the world’s largest single-masted sailboat, at 256 feet. “I’d like to think that Koru will be one of the most ecological yachts out there, with its sails and also with the technology that will be aboard.”

“When you’re on a sailboat, you’re more in touch with the wind and the waves than on a powerboat,” he continued. “You’re more susceptible to the elements, too. But you can leave California, and once you get past the Catalinas you can basically surf downwind all the way to Hawaii. All you need to do is run with the waves.”

Mr. Bezos has been a guest on similar boats, according to Bloomberg: In 2019, he was spotted on Eos , a 305-foot sailing yacht owned by Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg.

Bill Tripp, a Connecticut-based naval architect, said the appeal of this type of boat is clear: “When you are on a powerboat, you ask, ‘Are we there yet?’ and on a sailboat, you’re enjoying the ride and the ocean so much that you don’t ask that question.”

Koru will be trailed by Abeona, a 246-foot support vessel. Superyachts often have support vessels following along behind them. These “shadows,” as they are colloquially known, are for the “toys” — the ATVs, supercars, seaplanes, motorcycles, smaller boats, scuba gear, personal submarines and even helicopters that pleasure boaters might bring on a trip. According to its builder, this model of boat can carry these gadgets along with dozens of crew members. (Ms. Sanchez flies helicopters, and the couple was recently photographed taking a helicopter to board Abeona and then Koru.)

Abeona, a motor yacht, will have enough range to follow Koru from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean — a common course for yachts — on a single tank of gas.

The Kerfuffle

Koru set off a controversy last year — before it was even completed — in a face-off with the Dutch city of Rotterdam. The boat was built at Oceanco’s facility in Alblasserdam, the Netherlands, and needed to pass the historic Koningshaven Bridge, known as “De Hef,” in Rotterdam, to undergo testing in the North Sea.

When the city announced it would dismantle the bridge to allow the boat and its mainmast — an estimated 230 feet tall — to pass through unscathed, locals were angry. They planned a protest to throw eggs at the yacht as it cruised by. In the end, the bridge was not taken apart, and the yacht was towed to a different location to have its masts attached.

Koru is Maori for “coil” or “loop” and refers to the unfurling of a fern frond. The koru design is common in traditional Maori art, where it symbolizes new life, growth and peace. Mr. Bezos included a photo of a koru frond in an Instagram post on Jan. 1, 2022.

Brad Stone, who was the first to report on Koru, in his 2021 book “Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire,” said the name was “consistent with where we see him today.”

“He is no longer this single-minded tech guy,” Mr. Stone said. “He’s in media and Hollywood and has a new relationship.”

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Rotterdam to dismantle Koningshaven bridge so Jeff Bezos's superyacht can fit through

The Amazon tycoon's superyacht will be the biggest in the world - so big that a bridge near the shipyard building it will have to be taken down to let it out to sea

By Rachel Russell, news reporter

Thursday 3 February 2022 14:34, UK

The superyacht is said to be too tall to fit through the Koningshaven Bridge

Rotterdam will dismantle a historic bridge so that a giant superyacht being built for Jeff Bezos in a local shipyard can pass through.

The Amazon founder's vessel will be the biggest sailing yacht in the world, according to Boat International.

The three-masted yacht will stand at 127 metres, meaning it is be too tall to pass under the Koningshaven bridge as it heads out to sea.

Billionaire American businessman Jeff Bezos

The yacht's builder, Oceanco, has asked the city in the Netherlands to take down the middle section of the bridge, which is known locally as De Hef and dates from 1878.

The company and Bezos , 58, have offered to pay for the work.

Marcel Walravens, the project leader at Rotterdam city council, said that it was "not practical" to partially finish the yacht - which is known only as Y721 and is said to have cost €430m - and finish construction elsewhere.

He told RTV: "If you carry out a big job somewhere, you want all your tools in that place. Otherwise you have to go back and forth constantly. In addition, this is such a large project that there are hardly any locations where this work is finished.

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"From an economic perspective and maintaining employment, the municipality considers this a very important project. Rotterdam has also been declared the maritime capital of Europe."

He said it would take about two weeks to dismantle the bridge.

"As the plans look now, the preparation will take about a week. There are a lot of cables on De Hef, and as soon as you remove the first one, it no longer works.

"After that week, we remove the middle part, and with a bit of luck, we will have it back a day later. After that it will take another week to put everything back in place."

The decision has prompted anger among local historians.

Ton Wesselink, of the Rotterdam Historical Society, told RTV: "Employment is important, but there are limits to what you can and may do to our heritage."

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Bezos’ too-tall $500 million superyacht finally at sea

Jeff Bezos should have his new superyacht in time for the summer.

The 417-foot Koru left a shipyard in the Netherlands last week and anchored Wednesday off the coast of Spain near Mallorca, where it’s undergoing tests.  

The Koru’s excursion is part of the sea trials where an owner puts the boat through its paces to make sure everything is working properly, according to a person familiar with its travels, who requested anonymity discussing private matters. It could return to the shipyard for final tweaks before being delivered.

The three-masted superyacht is estimated to have cost the Amazon founder more than $500 million. Bezos, 59, is the world’s third-richest person with a fortune of $126.2 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

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  • Rotterdam will not dismantle bridge to allow Bezos’ superyacht through (July 2022)

Previously known as Y721, the ship is now registered as Koru and is flying under a Cayman Islands flag. It’s the largest sailing yacht afloat, according to Boat International, and one of the biggest to be built by Alblasserdam, Netherlands-based Oceanco.

An Amazon spokesperson didn’t respond to a request for comment.

The superyacht’s size has caused a number of headaches for Bezos and its builders. The height of its masts was originally going to force the city of Rotterdam to dismantle a historic steel bridge, De Hef, for the boat to be able to make it to the ocean. 

City officials initially agreed to temporarily take apart the bridge’s central section, but Oceanco ended up retracting the request amid public outcry. The shipbuilder eventually towed the vessel out to sea without its masts. 

The size of the sails also meant that the yacht couldn’t have a helipad on board. Instead, Bezos and his helicopter pilot partner Lauren Sanchez will rely on a support boat, which is currently crossing the Atlantic with a destination of Gibraltar, according to vessel-tracking data.

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  • Jeff Bezos is constructing a 127-meter sailing yacht at Oceanco

Jeff Bezos Yacht

Oceanco project y721, the world's richest man.

Jeff Bezos is constructing a 127-meter sailing yacht at Oceanco

Jeff Bezos' three-masted, $500 million superyacht will be one of the biggest ever built.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has ordered a massive yacht at Oceanco Shipyard in the Netherlands, according to international media reports. He has also placed an order for a wide (75 meter) support vessel.

Jeff Bezos' Sailing Yacht

Gerrit van Katwijk

The billionaire founder of Amazon , Jeff Bezos, is about to enter the illustrious ranks of the haves and have-yachts.

The world's wealthiest man is about to become the proud owner of one of the most luxurious and lavish superyachts ever constructed. The boat, recognized only by its project code Y721 , will be as long as the Great Pyramid of Giza and filled with state-of-the-art treasures including an in-deck swimming pool and a "ambient" theater, all adding to a rumored $500 million price tag.

Jeff Bezos' $500 million superyacht will be one of the biggest ever built.

Bezos, who is worth an estimated $200 billion, will now be responsible for an average operating expense of $50 million. The luxury sailing ship's plans are being kept under wraps, but some reports have recently surfaced on the website of its Netherlands-based maker, Oceanco, as well as on enthusiast forums. According to the information available so far, it could be based on the 106-meter Black Pearl , pictured below, which is actually the world's largest and most technologically advanced sailing yacht.

106-meter Sailing Yacht Black Pearl

It will be operated by three massive masts which will extend over many decks. Because of the sails, it will not have a helipad; instead, rumors claim it will arrive with its ownyacht, in a twist worthy of the richest Bond villain. A separate support vessel with a dedicated landing facility has been commissioned by Bezos and his colleague Lauren Sanchez .

As the urban elite invest in ever more expensive vessels to escape the masses in opulence and anonymity, the luxury yacht market has thrived during the pandemic .

three masted superyacht

After spending time on Eos , another three-masted schooner owned by film and Fox TV billionaire Barry Diller and his wife Diane Von Furstenberg , the celebrated fashion designer, in 2019, Bezos is said to have placed the order before the virus struck.

He was later photographed with model Karlie Kloss , Josh Kushner , and former Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein on David Geffen 's yacht in the Balearics .

three masted superyacht

Bezos isn't low on cash, and according to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, he contributed to his considerable fortune last week by selling almost $2 billion worth of his company's stock. Bloomberg journalist Brad Stone reveals more information about the ship in his upcoming book on Bezos, Amazon Unbound , which is also likely to play a central role in Bezos' life as he steps away from running the online behemoth he developed.

“What did the future bring for their founder?” he writes. At least a portion of the solution can be found in the shipyards of Oceanco, a Dutch custom yacht manufacturer. Outside of Rotterdam, a new development was quietly taking shape: a 127-meter-long, three-mast schooner about which nothing was understood, even among luxury boat makers, except that when it was finished, it would be one of the finest sailing yachts in the world .”

Sailing Yacht Y721

Bezos' superyacht is hull Y721 , which is currently being designed at Oceanco. We will reveal that the yacht will be styled similarly to Barry Diller's sailing yacht EOS (which measures 93 meters (305 feet) in length).

EOS Sailing Yacht

The 93-meter EOS is the largest three-masted schooner in the world

On the aft deck of the yacht, there would be a big swimming pool. The yacht is expected to hold 18 visitors, who will be served by a crew of about 40 people. In 2022, the yacht will be launced. The design of Bezos' yacht would be identical to that of the (smaller) sailing yacht EOS .

The 127-meter ship with three masts is expected to cost more than $500 million .

Support Vessel

According to reports in the international press, Bezos has also placed an order for a massive support vessel . This is the 75-meter (246-foot) Hull YS7512 , which is currently being designed at Damen Yachting .

Jeff-Bezos-yacht-Damen-Yacht-Support

In a press kit, Gerrit van Katwijk provided a photo of the Y721 Hull, as well as a rendering of the support vessel.

The custom-built vessel would transport all of the key yacht's toys and tenders. It has a helicopter hangar with enough room for a big helicopter. The vessel has a total capacity of 45 people, including staff, crew, and passengers. It will be the Damen Yacht Support 's largest vessel, with a volume of 1,900 tons.

Jeff Bezos

Bezos is the president and owner of Amazon . With a net worth of $190 billion , he is one of the world's wealthiest men . He was said to be the owner of the yacht Flying Fox , but an Amazon spokeswoman disputed this. He does own a private Gulfstream G650ER jet . After 25 years of marriage, MacKenzie Scott and Jeff Bezos have divorced. On Friday, a judge in King County, Washington, signed an order formally separating the couple. This clears the way for MacKenzie to receive 19.7 million shares in Amazon.com Inc. in his name. In January 2019, the Bezoses declared their separation.

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Welcome aboard the yacht Atlantic

All about one of the most awesome classic yachts of all time, the three mast schooner Atlantic. Long time holder of the world record for the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean under sail, this one hundred and eighty-five foot schooner originally designed by William Gardner in 1903 has been relaunched and is sailing once more.

The Atlantic is currently in the western Mediterranean, and available for luxury sailing yacht charters.

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Sailing Yacht A pictured near Monaco harbour in May 2017.

Italian authorities seize one of world’s largest superyachts from oligarch

Sailing Yacht A, owned by Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko, seized in Trieste on Friday evening

  • Russia-Ukraine war – latest news

Italian authorities have seized a €530m (£444m) superyacht owned by Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko as part of EU sanctions following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine .

Sy A – short for Sailing Yacht A – was seized on Friday evening in the port of Trieste after being identified by Italian police as belonging to the billionaire owner of EuroChem Group, a major fertiliser producer, and the coal company SUEK.

Video footage reportedly showed police cars with flashing lights approaching the yacht, said to be one of the largest in the world, and boarding it.

EuroChem and SUEK said in statements on Thursday that Melnichenko had resigned as a member of the board in both companies and withdrawn as their beneficiary, effective on Wednesday.

It comes as Roman Abramovich’s superyacht Solaris was pictured arriving in Tivat, Montenegro, on Saturday. The vessel left a port in Barcelona earlier this week as the UK government imposed sanctions on the Russian billionaire owner of Chelsea Football Club.

On Thursday, it was tracked off the coast of Sicily after reportedly undergoing repairs earlier in the week in Barcelona, one of a number of apparently hurried sailings of Russian billionaires moving their superyachts to avoid seizure. His other yacht, the more luxurious Eclipse, was on Thursday located to the west of the Canary Islands.

A European Council decision authorising the sanctions against Melnichenko says he was one of 37 business leaders who met with the Russian president after the invasion of Ukraine to talk about the potential economic impact of EU and US sanctions.

Melnichenko, the document states, “belongs to the most influential circle of Russian businesspeople with close connections to the Russian government”.

It adds: “He is therefore involved in economic sectors providing a substantial source of revenue to the government of the Russian Federation, which is responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of Ukraine.”

A spokesperson for Melnichenko, Alex Andreev, said the businessman had “no relation to the tragic events in Ukraine. He has no political affiliations”.

“There is no justification whatsoever for placing him on the EU sanctions list,” Andreev said. “We will be disputing these baseless and unjustified sanctions, and believe that the rule of law and common sense will prevail.”

Italian authorities have separately seized €143m worth of luxury yachts and villas owned by Russian billionaires in luxury destinations including Lake Como, Sardinia and the Ligurian coast.

Nobiskrug, the manufacturer of Sailing Yacht A, describes the three-mast vessel on its website as “one of the world’s largest and most advanced superyachts” and the “ultimate embodiment of German superyachts built for the 22nd century”. It is almost 143 metres long, the mainmast is 100 metres above the waterline, and the yacht has a gross tonnage of about 12,600.

Other yachts seized by Italian police include Lady M, owned by Alexei Mordashov who, before being blacklisted this week by the EU, was the richest man in Russia. A yacht owned by Gennady Timchenko, another billionaire with close ties to Putin, was also seized.

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Crystal: three-masted superyacht

According to the creator of the concept, this yacht should be like a diamond - to attract attention and arouse admiration. Well, this concept was hooked at least by the fact that it is a superyacht with sails. And this is a very interesting feature compared to competitors.

Unusual superyacht concept

One of the features of the yacht is an interesting system of geometric glazing. Thanks to this glazing, the yacht will have good natural light throughout the sunny day. In addition, the outside of the Crystal should be like a gem - reflect some of the incoming light and “shine”.

In addition to glazing, the superyacht features next-generation engineering solutions. The vessel is equipped with a three-masted DynaRig sailing system. The system was previously installed on Perini Navi's 289' Maltese Falcon and Oceanco's 350' Black Pearl.

The innovative computer-controlled sailing system is based on computer-controlled carbon masts, struts and huge spreaders. We can say that this system is a salvation for this kind of yachts. A large crew would be needed to steer a vessel of this size. Thanks to DynaRig, it is possible not only to significantly reduce the number of crew members, but also to eliminate the human factor almost completely.

The main advantage of the system is that it provides easy sailing in all sea conditions. The British studio did not provide an estimated maximum speed for the Crystal. However, the Maltese Falcon and Black Pearl can sail up to 25 and 30 knots respectively.

Travel and Entertainment

Crystal should be ideal for transatlantic cruises. Potential clients are given plenty of space both on deck and inside the yacht. Coquine Creative Director Christian Lake says the living spaces are "eco-friendly" and designed to make the most of natural light. 

Another advantage will be the technology of auto-shading rooms. Thanks to it, the yacht's automation will reduce the level of lighting in the premises if necessary.

Crystal can accommodate up to 12 guests and has a full beam master suite. The master cabin also has interesting retractable balconies. In terms of amenities, guests can enjoy a large wine cellar, a beach club, a gym and several different lounge areas. In the bow of the yacht there is a large garage where tenders and water toys can be placed.

Don't forget to rate the content! Other interesting articles can be found at the links below or in the "News" section.

News and articles

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The largest private lake in Texas is up for sale. An incredible purchase that cannot be forgotten!

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The race arouses genuine interest and excitement among the audience. But what about the participants? Many of them decided to take part in the legendary race, which will soon turn 100 whole years old! What did they have to face and what did the champion go through?

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Italian shipyard Perini Navi has announced the construction of the first 42m / 138ft S / Y 42M sailing yacht to complement their new E-Volution range.

three masted superyacht

Daily Express US

Expedition to explore 300-year-old 'Holy Grail' shipwreck holding billions in treasure

A thrilling deep-sea adventure is being planned to explore a 300-year-old shipwreck believed to be filled with treasure worth billions of dollars.

The Colombian government has announced its plans to dive into the depths of the northern Caribbean to investigate the legendary galleon San Jose, which sank in the 18th century.

This is the first step in a scientific research project aimed at finding out which pieces can be safely and feasibly retrieved from what has been dubbed the "Holy Grail" of wrecks, lying 600 meters beneath the sea.

The ship was discovered by Colombia in 2015, but its exact location remains a closely guarded state secret due to ongoing legal and diplomatic disputes.

The Colombian government is set to invest around $4.5million this year in an archaeological exploration of the 62-gun, three-masted galleon that was ambushed by an English squadron on its way to Cartagena in 1708.

READ MORE: Retired couple dead in Caribbean after fugitives steal yacht in 'bloody' heist

Alhena Caicedo Fernandez, the general director of the Colombian Institute of Archaeology and History (ICANH), stated during a symposium on the galleon held in Cartagena on Friday that the government does not plan to partner with private companies for the initial phase of the investigation.

The expedition is set to kick off in spring, depending on the weather. Navy Rear Admiral and oceanographer, Hermann Leon Rincon, explained to reporters that the mission involves using robotic equipment linked to a Navy ship.

The robot will be guided using cameras and a detailed record of its movements, all while being connected to a satellite in geostationary orbit.

Colombia got hold of this robotic system in 2021, which can dive up to 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) deep.

Carlos Reina Martinez, an archaeologist and leader of ICANH's submerged cultural heritage, said the operation aims to uncover what life was like for the 600 people aboard the ship when it sank.

They also want to study everyday life, cargo, artillery, and colonial-era goods in America.

Juan David Correa, Colombia's culture minister, stated: "It is time to claim the heritage elements for which the remains of the galleon should be valued," He stressed that the wreck's value is historical, not monetary, adding: "History is the treasure."

The ship has been at the centre of a legal tussle in the U.S., Colombia, and Spain over who has rights to the sunken treasure.

The Colombian government announced on Thursday that it has officially started arbitration proceedings with Sea Search Armada, a group of American investors.

The dispute is over the economic rights to the San Jose, a sunken ship believed to be laden with billions of dollars' worth of treasure.

The firm is claiming $10billion, which they believe is half the value of the treasure they say they discovered in 1982.

The ship is thought to contain 11 million gold and silver coins, emeralds, and other precious cargo from Spanish-controlled colonies. If ever recovered, this could be worth billions of dollars.

Colombia's government says it will invest around $4.5 million this year in an archaeological exploration of the 62-gun, three-ma

A perfect replica of the three masted Schooner Atlantic, originally built to make the speed record of the Atlantic Crossing, which she did...

The Schooner Atlantic replicates the allure of the original three masted schooner built in 1903 and commissioned by the New York Yacht Club. While having the luxurious comfort of a modern yacht, she keeps the original charme and elegance, fulfilling the owners' expectations and those of anyone passionate about classic yachts. A fast, elegant, seaworthy three masted schooner that turns everybody's eyes, anywhere she sails. Don't miss the chance to charter Atlantic at least once in your life

three masted superyacht

The Schooner Atlantic can comfotably accommodate 12 guests in 3 staterooms with double bed and 3 staterooms with twin bed, all with en-suite bathrooms, including a large owner’s cabin with large double bed and an ensuite bathroom featuring a bathtub. She is sailed by her Captain plus 11 crew.

Commissioned by New York Yacht Club member Wilson Marshall, the Schooner Atlantic was launched in 1903. She was designed by William Gardner, one of America's foremost designers of large yachts.

From the moment Atlantic went to sea, it was clear that she was an exceptionally fast and beautiful schooner. When a yacht in 1903 hits twenty knots during her sea trials, she is a promising yacht, but even then nobody could imagine two years later this yacht would set a record that would stand unmatched for almost a century.

Nevertheless, whilst Wilson Marshall wanted Atlantic to be the fastest schooner on the water, he felt there was no reason to compromise on comfort. Unlike contemporary racing schooners, Atlantic was equipped with every imaginable luxury. Fitted out with the finest mahogany panelling, she had two steam driven generators to power electric lights, refrigerators and a large galley. On deck her halyard winches and primary sheet winches were also steam driven. She had two double and three single staterooms, a lobby, a large full beam saloon, a dining room, a chart & gunroom, three large bathrooms and in the deckhouse there was a comfortable observation room. She had retractable chimneys, so while under sail the below deck steam heating, lighting and refrigeration systems could keep running. Atlantic's fo'c'sle accommodated her thirty-nine strong crew and officers, who would live aboard throughout the year.

Kaiser Wilhelm II The Kaiser's Cup

During her first season Atlantic proved fast, winning both the Brenton Reef and the Cape May Cup hands down, but it was only in 1905 she made the headlines by winning the Kaiser's Cup, a Transatlantic race from Sandy Hook to the Lizard. Referred to as "The last Great race of Princes" the entries for this race included all the yachts that the rich and powerful from Britain and America could send to sea.

three masted superyacht

Richard Mille Cup

The second edition of the Richard Mille Cup is expected to be the same combination of passage and day racing  in spectacular venues on both the French and English sides of the Channel, which has proved to be extremely successful in the first edition, last year. The driving motivation is to create a challanging sporting event with c....

Vele d'Epoca Napoli

Naples, one of the world’s most extraordinary cities, becomes the location of a unique event which offers a mix of history, gastronomy and classic yachting. The exclusive Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia, is organizing the XVIII edition of the Vele d’Epoca Napoli....

Bailli de Suffren

So many important yachts have been intrigued by the idea to sail from Saint Tropez, to Alghero, Carloforte and Bizerte, ending up in Malta, this year calling at Sardinia and Tunisie, such as Lelantina, a John Alden’s like Puritan, Moonbeam III of Fife, the smaller sister of Moonbeam IV, and also Orion, Owl, a Fred Shepherd , the Sangermani Susanna ....

Corsica Classic

Conviviality and sport, elegance and adventure. The Corsica Classic has as a plus for those passionate of classic yachts who love sailing in the unspoiled nature. Corsica is the ideal destination for those who want to escape the usual routes in search of a wild b....

Copa del Rey

Since 2005 the Copa del Rey has become one of the most important event among the Regattas for Classic Yachts. The Copa del Rey reserved exclusively to classic and vintage sailing boats. at its 41st edition the Copa del Rey will host some of the most beautiful classic yachts of the Mediterranean, inc....

Vele d'Epoca Imperia

Since its first edition in 1986 the Vele d’epoca Imperia has always been considered the most important rendez-vous for classic yachts in Italy at the end of the season. Every year Imperia becomes the background of a marvelous fleet of classic....

Les Regates Royales de Cannes

They may be from the America’s Cup, the Volvo Ocean Race, the Mini Transat, or they can simply be offshore or Olympic sailors. Or maybe all of the above. Many sail champions can be seen on the dock during the Régates Royales, ready to take on the helm of a beautiful classic yacht. All of them are passionate sailors and would not miss this top event of the classic ....

Les Voiles de Saint Tropez

If you love racing and yachting in general, you cannot miss Les Voiles de St Tropez, with its new formula of two weeks, including Maxi and Classic yachts, Wally, J class and all the modern cruiser/racers.  Everyone passionate of yachting will gather around the Gulf of Saint Tropez for the final rendez-vous before the Summer end. This year ....

  • Builder: Van Der Graaf BV
  • Type/Year: 2010
  • L.O.A.: 64.50m (211'7'')
  • Beam: 8.85m (29' )
  • Cruise Speed: 11 knots
  • Max Speed: 13 knots
  • Engines: Yanmar 555kw at 1840 rpm
  • Fast schooner
  • Very spacious
  • Observation room
  • Palatial Lobby
  • Beautiful classic design
  • Air-conditioning

three masted superyacht

Pontine and Phlegrean Islands

Aeolian islands, 3 days to explore south of corsica, 3 days to explore elba island, 10 days to explore costa smeralda, 3 days in costa smeralda, sardinia, explore unknown greece.

three masted superyacht

IMAGES

  1. Crystal: three-masted superyacht

    three masted superyacht

  2. Crystal: three-masted superyacht

    three masted superyacht

  3. 90m Three-masted schooner ATHENA relaunched after refit

    three masted superyacht

  4. Amazon founder's new tallest sailing yacht in the world arrives in

    three masted superyacht

  5. One of the world's largest sailing superyachts Sailing Yacht A is taken

    three masted superyacht

  6. Crystal: three-masted superyacht

    three masted superyacht

VIDEO

  1. super yacht

  2. New SuperYacht

  3. SUPER YACHTS

  4. Affordable Luxury Superyachts

  5. This exploration yacht is AMAZING

  6. Oosterschelde is a three-masted schooner from the Netherlands, built in 1918

COMMENTS

  1. Sea Eagle II: The inside story of the world's ...

    She is the world's largest aluminium yacht and is one of the top ten biggest sailing yachts ever built. Sea Eagle II is a magnificent 81m/266ft three-masted Panamax schooner, created by the same ...

  2. Koru (yacht)

    Koru is a luxury custom superyacht owned by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. The vessel was built in the Netherlands by Oceanco starting in 2021, and delivered in April 2023. [3] [4] [5] It is a three-masted sailing yacht 127 meters (417 ft) long and reported to have cost $500 million or more. [6] [7] [8] When commissioned, the yacht was the ...

  3. The best pictures of Koru

    In 2022, the 127-metre sailing yacht Koru made history when she hit the water at Oceanco's Alblasserdam facilities. Now successfully delivered, she is the flagship of the Oceanco fleet and the largest Dutch-built yacht in the world. As she prepares to sail across the planet, BOAT rounds up the best pictures of the three-masted sailing yacht ...

  4. Top 10 largest sailing yachts in the world

    Maltese Falcon was built for the late American venture capitalist Tom Perkins.The iconic three-masted schooner is the fifth-largest sailing yacht in the world. Maltese Falcon's rig is made up of three unstayed, 'weapons-grade' carbon fibre masts, with a fully computerised sail and rotating mast system. The system has been dubbed a triumph of design, development and engineering and Maltese ...

  5. ATHENA Yacht • Jim Clark $70M Sailing Superyacht

    A Glimpse into the World of the Sailing Yacht Athena. The Sailing Yacht Athena is a stunning three-masted schooner crafted by renowned shipbuilder Royal Huisman in 2004. Boasting a design by Pieter Beeldsnijder Design, Athena stands among the largest sailing yachts globally and is a testament to Huisman's expertise, also responsible for constructing famous yachts like Ethereal, Hyperion, and ...

  6. Jeff Bezos' New Yacht Is Finally Ready to Set Sail

    Mr. Bezos' vessel is a sailing yacht, a departure from the diesel-powered, floating palaces popular with other billionaires. But it is still massive. At 417 feet, Koru is the world's largest ...

  7. Iconic yachts: The story of the 88m sailing yacht Maltese Falcon

    Tom Perkins created one of the most sensational three-masted sailing yachts of the past 100 years when he built the 88 metre Maltese Falcon with Perini Navi. Launched in 2006, the project took nearly six years to complete. With radical unstayed masts made of 'weapons-grade' carbon fibre, computerised sail and mast control system, M a ltese ...

  8. Eos (yacht)

    Yacht Eos moored in Dartmouth, UK, Feb. 2008 Eos at the Lürssen shipyard. The Eos is a three-masted Bermuda rigged schooner.The ship is one of the largest private sailing yachts in the world, and as of 2009 was owned by movie and media billionaire Barry Diller, husband of fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg.According to a 2007 article in Harper's Bazaar, Eos features a figurehead of von ...

  9. Athena (yacht)

    Athena is a clipper -bowed three-masted gaff-rigged schooner built by Royal Huisman in 2004 for Internet entrepreneur James H. Clark. Clark purchased a 47.4 meter sloop, Hyperion, from Royal Huisman in 1998. As Hyperion was nearing completion, Clark began to consider the possibilities of a larger yacht, which could include a theater, library ...

  10. Royal Huisman's three-masted schooner Sea Eagle II —the world's largest

    Sea Eagle II, designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whiteley, features an impressive plumb bow and modern Panamax rig by Rondal.With an overall length of 266ft/ 81m, she is the largest yacht built at Royal Huisman's shipyard and joins another Huisman build - Athena - in the top 10 ranking of the world's largest sailing yachts.

  11. The top 10 largest sailing yachts in the world

    Discover the largest sailing yachts in the global superyacht fleet: 143m Sailing Yacht A, 106m Black Pearl, 93m EOS and many more. Largest Yachts The top 10 largest sailing yachts in the world

  12. Rotterdam to dismantle Koningshaven bridge so Jeff Bezos's superyacht

    The three-masted yacht will stand at 127 metres, meaning it is be too tall to pass under the Koningshaven bridge as it heads out to sea. Image: Jeff Bezos has offered to cover the costs of ...

  13. Bezos' too-tall $500 million superyacht finally at sea

    The three-masted superyacht is estimated to have cost the Amazon founder more than $500 million. Bezos, 59, is the world's third-richest person with a fortune of $126.2 billion, according to the ...

  14. ATLANTIC Yacht for Sale

    2010. Guests. 12 in 6 cabins. Price. POA. The largest three-masted classic racing schooner ever created, ATLANTIC is one of the finest examples of a classic reproduction yacht on the water today. A painstaking recreation of the William Gardner-designed winner of the 1905 Kaiser's Cup, she has been brought up to modern performance sailing ...

  15. Jeff Bezos' three-masted, $500 million super yacht will be one of the

    Bezos' superyacht is hull Y721, which is currently being designed at Oceanco. We will reveal that the yacht will be styled similarly to Barry Diller's sailing yacht EOS (which measures 93 meters (305 feet) in length). The 93-meter EOS is the largest three-masted schooner in the world. On the aft deck of the yacht, there would be a big swimming ...

  16. Official Site

    Welcome aboard the yacht Atlantic. All about one of the most awesome classic yachts of all time, the three mast schooner Atlantic. Long time holder of the world record for the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean under sail, this one hundred and eighty-five foot schooner originally designed by William Gardner in 1903 has been relaunched and is sailing once more.

  17. Italian authorities seize one of world's largest superyachts from

    Last modified on Sat 12 Mar 2022 13.28 EST. Italian authorities have seized a €530m (£444m) superyacht owned by Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko as part of EU sanctions following Vladimir ...

  18. Jeff Bezos's sailing yacht Koru massive masts at Oceanco

    Not only will be the 127m/ 417ft Y721 the longest yacht to date when completed... Have a look at these massive masts of Jeff Bezos' three-masted schooner Y721. Not only will be the 127m/ 417ft ...

  19. Maltese Falcon (yacht)

    Maltese Falcon is a full-rigged ship using DynaRig technology, which was built by Perini Navi in Tuzla, Istanbul, and commissioned by her first owner, Tom Perkins.She is one of the world's most complex and largest sailing yachts at 88 m (289 ft), similar in size to the Athena and Eos.The vessel dropped its BVI flag in 2008 and was purchased by Pleon Ltd, which put it to charter use.

  20. Shenandoah of Sark

    Shenandoah of Sark The 1902 classic 3-masted sailing yacht. Menu Skip to content. GALLERY. VIDEOS; UNDERWAY; AT ANCHOR; EXTERIOR; INTERIOR; PEOPLE & PLACES

  21. Crystal: three-masted superyacht

    According to the creator of the concept, this yacht should be like a diamond - to attract attention and admiration. Well, this concept was hooked at least by the fact that it is a superyacht with sails. And this is a very interesting feature compared to competitors.

  22. Expedition to explore 300-year-old 'Holy Grail' shipwreck holding ...

    The Colombian government is set to invest around $4.5million this year in an archaeological exploration of the 62-gun, three-masted galleon that was ambushed by an English squadron on its way to ...

  23. Schooner Buying Guide 2023

    Most will classify a ship as anything over 100 feet, and a boat, anything under 99 feet. The newly launched in 2023, 416-foot KORU by Oceanco is currently the largest three masted schooner sailing yacht on the water, while the smallest one can be as small as 18 feet and is classified as a day sailer only. Dona Francisca 2014 172′ CUSTOM Schooner.

  24. Three masted Schooner Atlantic

    The Schooner Atlantic can comfotably accommodate 12 guests in 3 staterooms with double bed and 3 staterooms with twin bed, all with en-suite bathrooms, including a large owner's cabin with large double bed and an ensuite bathroom featuring a bathtub. She is sailed by her Captain plus 11 crew. History. Commissioned by New York Yacht Club ...