largest aluminium sailing yacht

Sea Eagle II: the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht

• Alessandro Gigli
• September 14, 2020

SEA EAGLE II: Royal Huisman has built the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht

The 81-meter contemporary schooner was perfectly on schedule for her delivery date, but Covid-19 restrictions in the Netherlands prevented the finishing touch from being completed.

Despite the strict regulations introduced last spring, the shipyard was able to get up in a very short time.

All this allowed the team to safely “pick up where they left off” in these extraordinary times and with very high quality standards that have made this shipyard an important reference all over the world.

Nearly all board systems, such as gensets, air conditioning, waste water treatment and electronics, were thoroughly tested in the year prior to launch to avoid any surprises during the commissioning stage.

Spectacular speeds over 21 knots can be achieved by the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht by powering up SEA EAGLE II’s Rondal rig, which can carry over 3500 square meters of sail area evenly distributed over her carbon Panamax masts.

The full sail area is controlled by 34 winches from sailing system integrator Rondal.

The largest winches for the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht – for the yankee, staysail sheets and mizzen sheet runners – are capable of a tremendous 18 tons (18000 kg) pulling load.

Thanks to these record numbers, SEA EAGLE II will be ranked among the top 10 largest sailboats in the world.

Upon delivery to her owner, she will be the largest aluminium sailing yacht in the world.

Her masts are over 60 meters high and the yacht has a 4-meter rudder, the largest ever built with this material.

The yacht will also have a hydraulic crow’s nest, which will rise up the main mast and give supreme 360-degree views out to sea.

The interiors consist of 6 cabins for 12 guests, a master suite and a cabin for 13 crew members.

Mr. Yin has wanted to reaffirm his confidence in the shipyard’s abilility to build his ultimate dream yacht, commissioning the SEA EAGLE II.

Royal Huisman ‘s team has make this great dream come true, keeping the promise ” If you can dream it, we can build it”.

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Sea Eagle II: One of the world’s finest superyachts

• Toby Hodges
• July 5, 2023

Stunning images of the 81m schooner Sea Eagle II in French Polynesia are a rare chance to see one of the world’s most magnificent superyachts in full flight. Toby Hodges finds out more from the team behind the design

It’s very rare to see quite such a large vessel, the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht in this case, truly in its element: sailing full bore in an idyllic location. To us sailing fans, it’s the equivalent of a birdwatcher photographing an exceptional species of finch, kingfisher or indeed eagle. With regards to Sea Eagle II , however, these images really do make you re-evaluate your impressions of scale.

We’ve talked in detail about this superyacht before, when it was just a vision, a project in build. But these pictures, showing it in full flight, help bring a long list of impressive technical statistics to life.

While there are many big yachts, there are very few sailing yachts as large as this – officially eight, but of those considered proper sail-powered rather than sail-assisted yachts, arguably only three. And certainly very few we’ve seen that can sail like this: seemingly with relative ease, control, power and grace.

The extensive photoshoot in French Polynesia shows Sea Eagle II really shifting under its own easily furled canvas. This should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Dykstra Naval Architects. Look at the spray flying off the towering stemhead – this is no sailing motoryacht. From bow-on you can see the hull is comparatively very slender, with purposeful chines and a flare to the topsides aft. The waterline is fully extended as the sections transition from a rounded U-shape bilge forward to a flat run aft.

Long waterlines together with a modern, beamy aft shape helps create massive volume, powerful performance and low heeling speed. Photo: Tim McKenna

Combine this with the long glass deckhouse and it reminds of a modern explorer yacht or a naval craft. Its hull lines are strikingly efficient, purposeful even. Her 6m draught aside, you get the impression there is nowhere Sea Eagle II can’t soar to. That it has already completed a circumnavigation and sailed 45,000 miles in its first three years is less surprising when you consider just how long legged it is – indeed the crew and designers have reported sustained passagemaking speeds of over 20 knots.

But why the look, why that sailplan, and how did it get from concept to sailing in Pacific islands?

A classic start

The initial brief was actually for a more classical yacht, similar to the 90m schooner Athena that Royal Huisman built for Jim Clark in 2004, before the owner realised he’d prefer the benefits that come with a more modern shape with straight lines. This allowed for a much longer waterline and beamy transom for more stability, volume and comfort at less heel.

Passagemaking performance aboard a practical and safe yacht to manage easily was the target. Sea Eagle II was commissioned by an ageing owner who wanted a large, stable and easily driven yacht – which is why it ended up being twice the length and three times the volume and sail area of the previous Sea Eagle , a 43m yacht which launched from Huisman in 2015.

owerful schooner sailplan with heavily roached equal sized mains. The upwind sail area alone is equivalent in size to five basketball courts. Photo: Tim McKenna

The modern look came from Dykstra’s Erik Wassen, lead naval architect for the project, who I caught up with to discuss how the design transpired and if it has fulfilled its brief. Where a classic yacht “has lots of details to give it life – I thought a round bilge boat with no detail on it is just incredibly dull,” he replies candidly. This helps explain the yacht’s prominent chine, “single aft, turning into a double chine forward, to give it detail,” while in the transom the topsides are inverted, and have some negative camber. “That’s what your eye picks up – it emphasises that masculine look.”

As well as the aesthetic trickery, it’s a shape that works from a naval architecture point of view too: “the knuckle gave me more beam in the forward end of the boat where we have the foremast. The chainplates can be separated more without having too much flare in the boat.”

To manage this canvas, 34 winches can all be pushbutton controlled from the helm stations. Photo: Tim McKenna

Sea Eagle II ’s striking styling is set off by the long deckhouse with its straight glass windows, which cements an explorer look. The UK’s Mark Whitely, who designed the interior, drew this profile. “We went with that and explored it further to sink the bridge half into the superstructure to keep the overall height limited,” Wassen explains.

A schooner rig featuring three carbon masts with furling booms was deemed the most effective way to give Sea Eagle II  the most manageable sail power at the Panamax limit (61m). Dynarigs, as used on the Dykstra projects Maltese Falcon and Black Pearl , were not appropriate for an owner who preferred more classic styles. And while Wassen says they did consider square-top sails, the additional complication was considered too high at the time (around 2017). Instead, the three heavily roached mains have proven to provide ample sail area.

Royal Huisman’s sister company Rondal built the three equal size high modulus carbon masts, as well as the furling booms, captive and drum winches, while Carbo-Link supplied the carbon standing rigging.

Note the size of the crew to get a scale of the aft deck and beam. Photo: Tim McKenna

Straightforward sailing

The beauty of the sailplan is that it can set so much canvas on easily managed push button furlers. The 34 winches are all interfaced and controlled by Rondal’s integrated sail handling system. The Stratis-built fore, main and mizzen sails can raise simultaneously thanks to plenty of hydraulic juice powered by twin 120kW gensets and power take-offs on the main engines.

When you include the staysails that can set off each mast and the yankee, there are seven furling sails from Doyle, totalling around 3,500m2. And that’s without a kite (which the new owners are looking into adding, with rumours of future racing events such as the RORC Caribbean 600 ).

“Tacking is very straightforward,” reported Royal Huisman’s commissioning skipper: “the mains mostly look after themselves with only minor adjustments.

“Gybing naturally takes a little more orchestration, as on any large yacht. But it is still a smooth and safe process.”

Side decks you could fit a skittle alley on, yet protected by high bulwarks. Photo: Tim McKenna

The yankee sheet has the most load, but even that’s on an 18-tonne pull winch, which is reasonably common in large yachts. To depower the sailplan, the crew typically reef from the mizzen first, with the reefs all on halyard locks.

In terms of performance, this is a mile-munching machine. “In a good breeze, on a beam reach, with reefed sails, it does 20 knots comfortably without pushing it,” Wassen reports. This is confirmed by Huisman’s commissioning skipper who reported high boat speeds that are easy to maintain: “We comfortably recorded 22 knots in moderate wind conditions. In fact, at 16-18 knots boat speed, I found myself regularly checking the B&G speed displays for confirmation because the motion is so relaxed. Sailing fast with just a gentle heel [typically max 10-15°], she feels very safe.”

Wassen stresses it’s never had a race crew aboard, so has never been pushed. “We know the boat has been doing sustainable 20 knot+ deliveries… so I think the performance polars we made are doable.”

Palatial space at anchor. Transom hinges to create a full beach terrace. Lazarette includes a crane for the 8m guest tender plus toy space. Photo: Tim McKenna

He attributes the commendable performance to the long waterlines, where buttocks slowly rise to a transom that is only just clear of the water. But credit must go equally to the stiff and strong build. Typically yachts of this scale are built in steel, which results in a much heavier structure. Royal Huisman are masters in large aluminium craft and this, its largest to date, helped them further the technology – learnings which have continued to progress with the launch of its recent full performance yacht Nilaya and the colossal 85m sloop in build.

The complexity of Sea Eagle II ’s build, and its four years in engineering and construction, cannot be understated. The goal was to find the right balance between strength and flex, the former to ensure the necessary longitudinal strength and rigidity, the latter to absorb the dynamic shock loads from waves.

bridge fit for a ship for fully protected watchkeeping. Photo: Tim McKenna

Glass doesn’t bend

An example of such a construction challenge lay with how to mount such a long, rigid deckhouse structure, which comprises so much laminated glass, onto a more flexible aluminium hull. “When we were doing the FEM [finite element method] analysis, we noticed that the glass mullions would be picking up a lot of the load,” Wassen explains: “the deck is participating in the overall structure and a boat with this beam will deflect and bend in waves.”

As glass won’t flex, the build team needed to include some tolerance between the roof and mullions. Aerospace specialists developed an adhesive specially for this project, using it to bond the forward section of the deckhouse to create 2cm of flex.

The al fresco dining area beneath the aft overhang, with grand stairs each side to the flybridge. Photo: Tim McKenna

This long run of glass is central to the overall aesthetic, something Mark Whitely elaborates on: “The essence of the yacht’s appeal is illustrated by long, uninterrupted lines of glass, a subtle sweep of superstructure and a blister to enclose the semi-raised bridge.

“The proportions and low profile were driven by the owner’s request to have a continuous floor from the exterior dining space, right through the large main saloon to the forward dining saloon, with no steps.” The photos confirm side decks you could bowl down, and fore and aft decks clear enough for racket sports.

The formal dining and leisure area at the forward end of the deckhouse. The curved, forward windscreen gives a panoramic outlook. Photo: Tim McKenna

Elsewhere on deck there are foldout boarding platforms on both sides. Outside and inside worlds are separated by flush sliding glass doors which disappear into their own garages, while steps each side of the dining area lead to the expansive flybridge to offer another full deck of entertaining space and an ideal vantage point to helm from.

Another prime feature of Sea Eagle II’s design is the full bridge nestled between flybridge helm station and the main deckhouse, from which it can be commanded in heavy weather. Deciding at which of the many long tables to sit or relax at would seemingly be the only headache for owners and guests. Whether alfresco on the aft deck, inside/outside bar seating, the decksaloon or a formal dining and leisure area forward with 180° windscreen views, all are on the same level.

The main accommodation is for 12 guests, while forward of the foremast is a separate low profile entrance for the 14 crew to reach their quarters. The stowage space for toys is formidable, complete with cranes to launch all with minimal fuss.

A modern silhouette of purposeful performance, with lengthy waterlines and an extended deckhouse. Hull chines are mirrored on the booms. Photo: Tim McKenna

However, while it offers palatial comfort at anchor, this is a yacht that clearly comes alive under sail. In summary, these photos prove what the jury at the Design & Innovation Awards 2021 said when awarding Sea Eagle II with the ‘Best Naval Architecture Sailing Yachts’ award. “She is not just a large cruising yacht with global capability but a beautiful boat that sails well.”

Sea Eagle specifications

LOA: 81m 266ft Beam: 12m 40ft Draught: 6m 20ft Hull speed: 22 knots Main engines: 2x 1,081kW Generators: 2x 120kW Air draught: 61m 201ft Sail area: 2,580m2 27,770ft2 upwind / 3,552m2 38,233ft2 downwind Design: Dykstra Naval Architects + Mark Whiteley Design

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"Sea Eagle" : The largest aluminium sailing yacht in the world

Sören Gehlhaus

 ·  11.02.2024

When the beams bend on board a sailor, the cause is usually not a mendacious load, but a real one. One that comes from above. Imagine the following scenario: The wind picks up, the tension on the forestay and backstay gradually increases and all of a sudden the doors below deck are reluctant to open. On some sailing boats, "proper zing" is not an unusual litmus test for the height of the loads and the quality of the interior fittings, but on supersailors it is unthinkable. Of course, there is no shortage of forces, but the shipyards' promises of excellence, the astronomically high expectations of customers and the pedantry of the classification societies involved put a stop to them. In addition, comprehensive sensor technology provides information about the rig forces occurring during sailing operations.

On "Sea Eagle", an 81 metre long aluminium hull forms the basis for a huge and very real distorted image. Three masts, up to 61 metres high, guide 3,552 square metres of sailcloth on spacious courses and ensure maximum working loads of 125 tonnes. So far, so feasible. Not only did Royal Huisman set out to build the world's largest aluminium sailing yacht, the customer also wanted a superstructure that spanned almost half the deck - and with its continuous window areas, was far less flexible than the deck below. So how do you bring the rigid and flexible elements together without provoking material fatigue? The solution was found through structural calculations using the finite element method (FEM): an adhesive that aerospace specialists developed together with the class specifically for this project and that compensates for movements of up to two centimetres. The method was only used for the front part of the superstructure; the aft part was conventionally welded to the deck.

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Six months of planning for a stable yet flexible structure

Below the waterline, a flexible hull structure was even desirable, as this gives way and prevents the boat from suddenly breaking through, for example when pitching into large waves. As is usual for aluminium constructions, particular attention was paid to longitudinal stiffening to prevent torsion. This structural puzzle alone took six months of planning, while exoskeletons helped the Huisman employees with the actual welding. In the end, "Sea Eagle" was delivered in 2020 in the shadow of the pandemic, four years after the order was received. The royal Dutch shipyard, which has a 60-year tradition of working with aluminium and is based not far from the IJsselmeer, joined forces with Dykstra Naval Architects from Amsterdam, which had already worked with Huisman on the steel "Athena" (90 metres) and with other shipyards on "Hetairos" (67 metres), "Black Pearl" (106 metres) and "Koru" (127 metres).

A real tall ship, interpreted in a modern way.

The specifications for the super schooner matured in the client's mind while sailing around the world on his 43-metre sloop of the same name and shipyard origin. He was looking for an extremely comfortable and roomy yacht with excellent long-distance qualities to see as much of the world as possible under sail. A true tall ship interpreted in a modern way: practical, powerful and safe, but easy to handle. In the meantime, more than 45,000 nautical miles have been logged; "Sea Eagle" also cruised between the French Polynesian islands of Moorea and Bora Bora and passed the outer reef there at 22 knots.

The reason for the fast progress is the high schooner rig. Dykstra's chief designer Erik Wassen says of the rigging: "There is less impact on the environment when a ship starts quickly in a light breeze. The powerful rig geometry can be quickly adapted to the conditions for safe and effective mileage collection." Dykstra carried out CFD computer simulations and modelled tests, both in the towing tank at TU Delft and in the wind tunnel at the Wolfson Unit in Southampton.

Important: The "Sea Eagle" has Panamax dimensions

The free passage through the Panama Canal is an ecological advantage. The 61 metre high bottleneck at the western end, the Bridge of the Americas, forces yachts without "Panamax dimensions" and with a high slip rig to lay masts or make a diversion of 8,000 miles. The three carbon palms of "Sea Eagle" increase in height aft and decrease in diameter. Our colleagues from BOOTE EXCLUSIV were able to see the quality of the laminating process for themselves during a visit to Rondal. There, the masts were created in one piece from prepregs, which were cured under vacuum and at 100 degrees Celsius and given two coats of varnish. The angular three 16 metre long booms, in which the battened mainsails are stored, took on a similar shape.

The on-board hydraulics are powerful enough to unfurl the headsail and all three mainsails at the same time without any problems - which should take no longer than with a sloop half the size. Rondal also supplied 34 winches, twelve of which rotate on deck and 22 below deck. The largest drums, for Yankee, staysail and mizzen sails, can handle tensile loads of up to 18 tonnes each. The electrical and hydraulic energy is mainly supplied by two diesel generators. In addition, each of the two 1,081-kilowatt main units from Caterpillar are used for the hydraulics. These move the 1,104-tonner at speeds of up to 22 knots via conventional shaft drives. When motoring at an economical twelve knots, 200 litres of diesel per hour rush through the pipes. Load peaks are absorbed by a powerful battery bank in the engine room amidships, while the main switchboard with power management and parallel connection for synchronising the generators regulates the uninterrupted and efficient power supply.

Anyone can travel on the "Sea Eagle" - for 600,000 euros per week

In its primary use, the "Sea Eagle" is not a motorised glider like the few large formats above it in the Ranking of the longest sailing yachts that push plenty of steel through the sea. At the cross, the crew unfurled over 3,500 square metres of Doyle sails. The sailmakers had to ensure smooth interaction between all three masts under a variety of sail loads - a complex task given the cloth architecture of up to eight different sails. However, running rigging is barely visible on deck: foresail sheets are immediately lowered behind the slides, and the two forward mainsheets are reeved into the superstructure via windward and leeward tackles. Only the mizzen sail runs over two head-sized rollers at the stern.

Safety is a particularly high priority on charter trips, for which guests, some of whom have no sailing experience, have been coming on board since 2023. The flybridge schooner sails Scandinavia, Scotland and the Mediterranean in summer and the Caribbean in winter. The "Sea Eagle" is currently in Stockholm - at Marine Traffic you can follow their journey.

Anyone who pays Burgess 600,000 euros per week will experience an unforgettable charter trip. Although this only covers the use of the yacht, the offer seems tempting. For comparison: motor yachts of a similar length, but with twice the interior volume, are listed for just under one million euros a week. A big difference, not to mention the consumption advantage. This is because the charter rate does not include fuel costs, catering and tips for the crew.

A crow's nest as a lift almost to the top

The dimensions of the rig are experienced most directly in the crow's nest. In the mast basket, it extends beyond the third pair of spreaders of the 60 metre high main mast. Guests sail past shrouds and stays made by the Swiss manufacturer Carbo-Link. Only the backstays are made of Kevlar at the customer's request, otherwise carbon fibres form cable diameters of up to 55 millimetres. The maximum specifications of the Dykstra designers: a rigidity of 435 meganewtons and expected working loads of 125 tonnes.

The eyes, fork terminals and the spreader end fittings integrated into the cables are made of titanium. Carbo-Link has projects with working loads of up to 500 tonnes and cable diameters of 100 millimetres in the pipeline on land - so a yacht three times the size of "Sea Eagle" could be equipped with standing rigging.

Interior and exterior should be connected

It is not only the technical marvellous achievements that make up this exceptional construction. The shipyard and designer, Mark Whiteley was also awarded the interior contract, succeeded in actually creating the connection between inside and outside that is often praised in yachting. The saloon and cockpit form a single unit via a bar consisting of two horseshoe elements. The round bar is divided into two halves by a sliding glass door, which transforms the saloon into a film theatre should the weather prevent an outdoor screening on the aft deck. This is also possible in rough seas, with handrails on the sofa backs. Through the lobby and past the galley, day toilet and captain's cabin, you reach the foremost room with a dining area and plenty of lounge furniture. Towards the front, the winches and foremast draw the eye, while there is a clear view to the sides. Originally, the forward part of the superstructure was also intended to be suitable for business meetings.

We were able to walk through the 1,150 gross tonnes of interior space for twelve guests and 14 crew members during construction in Vollenhove and walk down the twin staircases amidships to the guest accommodation. The two equally large master suites at the very stern were striking, although at the time they were intended for private use only. The lower deck also has three double cabins and a fitness room to starboard, which can be converted into a cabin for children, the nanny or staff.

It is to be sailed: Handrails are also waiting in the bathroom

Whiteley followed his design maxim of timeless elegance in an almost radical way. The entire interior design relies on three types of wood: Natural oak lies on the floor, ceiling and skirting boards are made of stained wenge and Alpi American Walnut is used as the main veneer - including in the bathrooms, into the front of whose washbasins and cabinets Whiteley integrated beige-coloured leather handrails at the top. In other words, the morning or evening toilet is also used here when sliding the bed, which once again emphasises the consistent multi-sail design. The striking wavy grain of the walnut veneer extends the length of the corridors and living areas horizontally and emphasises the British designer's clever and well thought-out restraint: "This yacht never stops being stylish," he concludes.

This yacht never stops being stylish"

Mark Whiteley also worked out the straight-lined exterior alongside Dykstra. In the centre of the open deck areas, the long glass superstructure is complemented by a slender flybridge. Mark Whiteley explains: "The flybridge deck provides a large leisure area for owners and guests; or for those steering from one of the outside helm stations. They are designed to blend in with the surrounding superstructure. The fly is also a platform for viewing the sculptural trees, which visually reflect the rigour of the lines." The crew have been given their own deckhouse on the deck in front of the foremast, which takes them directly to the eight cabins. Aft of this is an oversized mess room and the galley on the port side.

Angular hull for good sailing characteristics

The angular "Sea Eagle" shape contrasts with traditional tall ships with their round gates and clipper prows, such as those that adorn the only slightly longer "Gorch Fock". Erik Wassen from Dykstra categorises the hull design from a hydrodynamic point of view: "The modern design enables a wide transom and an almost continuous waterline, which promises better sailing characteristics and fast and comfortable crossings. Due to the higher stability, the boat sails with less heel, which significantly improves comfort on board." The width of 12.30 metres, which drastically narrows one hull edge towards the waterline, ensures high dimensional stability. Due to the already large displacement, the fixed keel "only" has to be six metres deep.

The conceptualisation of the 1250-kilogram rudder led to a tendency towards oversizing. As there was no empirical data from comparable yachts, calculation models had to be used. As a result, the carbon coker plunges deep into the five metre long blade, which was subjected to the expected forces on a specially constructed test rig. Rondal also laminated optical sensors into the 220 carbon fibre layers, which provide real-time information about the load situation. This data will also benefit Royal Huisman's next sailing superlative: the Vollenhoven dream factory is working on an 85-metre-long slup, also made of aluminium.

Technical data "Sea Eagle"

• Length over everything: 81,00 m
• Width: 12,30 m
• Depth: 6,00 m
• Displacement (empty): 1.104 t
• Material: Aluminium
• Rig: Carbon, Rondal
• Standing crop: Carbo-Link
• Sail: Doyle Stratis
• Sailing systems: Rondal
• Sail area (on the wind): 2.580 m²
• sail area (before the wind): 3.552 m²
• Hull speed: 22 kn
• Motors: 2x 1081kW, Caterpillar C32
• Generators: 2x 120 kW, Caterpillar C7.1
• Battery capacity: 120 kWh
• Construction: Dykstra Naval Architects
• Exterior design: Dykstra, Mark Whiteley
• Interior design: Mark Whiteley
• Class: Lloyd's MCA (LY-3)
• Shipyard: Royal Huisman, 2020
• Charterbroker: Burgess, 600,000 €/week

More on the topic:

• 81-metre schooner "Sea Eagle II" on charter
• Schooner refit: Huisfit extends the "Athos" by 1.25 metres

Most read in category Yachts

Sea Eagle, the world largest aluminium sailing yacht

Her design alone took a year to complete. Her build took a further four.  But the 81m schooner, Sea Eagle, splashed by Royal Huisman in 2020, was worth the wait. Having clocked up an astonishing 45,000 nm since she first set sail, she is one of the 10 largest sailing yachts in the world and the largest aluminium-built one overall. ( Here all our posts about Royal Huisman )

Best Naval Architecture

Winner of the “Best Naval Architecture” category at the Design & Innovation Awards 2021, Sea Eagle was commissioned by an owner with a very clear vision honed over years aboard her predecessor, the 43m sloop, Sea Eagle, penned by Germán Frers and Rhoades Young Design. 

Sea Eagle, by Dykstra Naval Architects e Mark Whiteley 

He wanted a practical, powerful, safe yet easy to manage craft, a brief used by Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whiteley Design used as their springboard for their design. 

Sea Eagle is clothed in glorious waterlines topped by a powerful Panamax rig spanning three masts, the tallest of which towers 61m over her deck. She spreads 2,580 sqm of sail upwind and 3552 sqm downwind. 

According to Erik Wassen of  Dykstra Naval Architects, this combination of sleek waterlines and that edgy rig deliver “huge stiffness under sail, improved stability and thus onboard comfort. The sail plan is easy to adapt to changing weather too”.

All the big names in the sector chipped in with the Dykstra team on the rig: Rondal supplied the 34 winches and furlers for the electro-hydraulic sail system, Carbo-Link the carbon rig and Doyle Sails the sails. The result? Sea Eagle confidently delivered 21.5 knots in moderate winds in her sea trials.  

Sea Eagle: powerhouse of technology

The 81, schooner is a powerhouse of technology and technical solutions, all of which complement her sleek profile, axe bow, almost vertical transom and long superstructure which includes a deckhouse topped by the fly. Mark Whiteley of Mark Whiteley Design told us that the long strip of glazing on the deckhouse perfectly encapsulates Sea Eagle’s seductive charm.  

“As the design developed, we honed in on a faceted feature which helps give Sea Eagle her distinctive modern signature, lightens the and softens all the various elements making up this volume,” he says. “The overall effect gives the superstructure ‘a curved tension’ that draws the eye from bow to stern”. 

Sea Eagle’s proportions and low profile are also the result of the owner’s brief. “He wanted to have a continuous floor from the exterior dining space, right through the large main saloon to the forward dining saloon, with no steps. Thanks to the expansive glazing the latter also has direct contact with the natural environment,” concludes Whiteley. 

The lower deck is given over to accommodation with a master suite joined by a further six double guest staterooms, one of which can convert to a gym. The décor here centres around a white colour scheme paired with pale woods. The furnishings are simple very much in line with the owner’s request for a functional, reliable, frill-free yacht.  

Sea Eagle was designed and built to explore the world’s seas. Most importantly, she is the work of a yard that, as Royal Huisman’s own CEO Jean Timmerman, explains, is now building Project 410, an 85m that will soon be crowned the world’s largest sloop. “But we also some truly breath-taking concepts,” he continues. “Like the 85m APEX 850 and the innovative 100m ketch, WING100, that are attracting a lot of interest. All they need now is a visionary owner to turn these revolutionary sailing yachts into reality”.  

Emilio Martinelli

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Sea Eagle II World Largest Aluminium Sailing Yacht Ready For Delivery

A successful series of sail trials marked the concluding stage and upcoming delivery of the three-masted Royal Huisman schooner Sea Eagle II: the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht.

Earlier this year, Sea Eagle II, designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whiteley, was transferred from the shipyard’s headquarters in Vollenhove and launched in Amsterdam. Her three carbon Rondal masts and booms were installed and tuned at Royal Huisman’s Amsterdam facility. The 81m / 266ft contemporary schooner was on schedule for her delivery date, but Covid-19 restrictions in the Netherlands prevented the finishing touch – trials on the North Sea – from being completed.

Nearly all board systems, such as gensets, air conditioning, waste water treatment and electronics, were thoroughly tested in the year prior to launch to avoid any surprises during the commissioning stage. Strict Covid-19 regulations and detailed protocols introduced in Spring eventually allowed the team to safely “pick up where they left off” in these extraordinary times.

Speeds over 21 knots can be achieved in the ultimate sustainable way by powering up Sea Eagle II’s Rondal rig, which can carry over 3500 square meters of sail area evenly distributed over her carbon Panamax masts. The full sail area is controlled by 34 winches from sailing system integrator Rondal. The largest winches – for the yankee, staysail sheets and mizzen sheet runners – are capable of a tremendous 18 tons (18000kg!) pulling load.

Royal Huisman’s largest yacht ever was commissioned by the Owner of the 43m / 142ft sloop Sea Eagle (Royal Huisman, 2015) who in doing so, reaffirmed his confidence in the ability of the shipyard to build his ultimate dream-yacht. Sea Eagle II features a plumb bow, ensuring she is not only powerful but recognizable all over the world. Delivery of Sea Eagle II is scheduled for July 2020. 

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Published on January 7th, 2020 | by Editor

World’s largest aluminum sailing yacht

Published on January 7th, 2020 by Editor -->

Together with Dykstra Naval Architects and designer Mark Whiteley, Royal Huisman made this 266-foot three-masted schooner. Royal Huisman project 400 – SEA EAGLE II – was the largest yacht ever built at the shipyard in Vollenhove, The Netherlands. SEA EAGLE II is ranked among the top 10 of the world’s largest sailing yachts and THE world’s largest aluminum sailing yacht.

Tags: Royal Huisman , SEA EAGLE II , superyacht

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Boat of the Week: Inside ‘Galactica,’ the World’s Largest All-Aluminum Superyacht

Heesen's behemoth has a high-tech "backbone" running its length to provide enough rigidity for the boat to reach a blistering 30 knots., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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What has an aluminum-plate backbone, more than one head, and runs faster than Usain Bolt? Heesen ’s superyacht Galactica— or “Project Cosmos,” as it was formerly called by the yard. The largest boat built by the Dutch shipyard to date is getting ready for its spring debutante ball. Fast, sporty and 262 feet long, the owner refers to Galactica as his “ultimate superyacht.”

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Hundreds of yachts around the world are larger than Galactica . None of them are built entirely out of aluminum. For the owner who likes to make a statement with his custom new builds, Galactica had to be his largest and fastest one yet. The owner decided he wanted a 30-knot top speed—greased lightning for a yacht this size and a conundrum for the shipyard.

A 262-ft. steel-hulled boat with conventional propulsion wouldn’t be able to reach that 30-knot mark. But an all-aluminum boat might, though that metal doesn’t provide the type of structural support that heavier steel does. Such a yacht had never been built, even by an aluminum specialist like Heesen. It would take serious creative engineering.

Galactica on her maiden journey through small Dutch villages.  Courtesy Galactica

The owner has history when it comes to these types of requests. His previous two yachts, Galactica Star and Galactica Super Nova are both all-aluminum with top speeds nearing 30 knots. At 230 feet in length, the latter was Heesen’s largest-ever build when delivered in 2016. Galactica is 30 feet longer, and while that doesn’t sound like much in the scheme of things, the technical ingenuity required to make it work had Heesen’s top engineers scratching their heads. The answer lay outside the boating industry, in the construction industry’s I-beam.

“Everyone knows the I-beam where you have the material on the outer veins of your structure,” Peter van der Zanden, Heesen’s general manager of design, development and engineering, told Robb Report . “That’s where our inspiration for the backbone came from, where we have the majority of materials in the bottom of the boat and on the main deck—our ‘outer veins’.”

The name “backbone” suggests a spine or something with flex, but the patented box-shaped structure is anything but. Composed of 15-mm aluminum plate, it’s lightweight and strong, running almost the full length of the yacht.

Glass was a main priority for the owner’s third boat in the Galactica series.  Courtesy Heesen

“We knew the design would work, our only concern was if it would work well enough,” says Van der Zanden.

Heesen created a scale model of the boat in water, divided into four segments, and simulated the pressures and forces at sea. When the results exceeded the requirements set out by Lloyd’s, the yard patented the design.

Of course, there’s more to Galactica than its hidden backbone. Key defining features of the Winch Design exterior include large sweeping panes of glass that trace the arching line of the superstructure. A bow helipad doubles as a cinema with seating and a screen that folds away into the deck. The glass-bottomed pool on the main deck reflects sun rays on the beach club below. Increasing the amount of light—both natural and artificial—throughout the boat was a chief request in this latest version of Galactica.

On its journey from the Oss shipyard to North Sea sea trials, the clearance between the top deck and some bridges was less than six inches.  Courtesy Heesen

“The owner’s previous experience has certainly influenced the way Galactica looks,” James Russell, exterior designer at Winch, told Robb Report . “It takes time to learn what you love, and particular focus has been paid to areas where more time will be spent, such as the beach club.”

Inside, an interior by Sinot Yacht Design & Architecture includes a central glass elevator, brushed oak and marble finishes, and in the main deck lounge, hand-cut glass ceilings. Galactica ’s windows incline at 45 degrees, rather than the standard 90 degrees, to give the illusion that the panes of glass are larger than they are.

Glass is a recurring theme, from the glass detailing in the straw marquetry and stainless-steel wall located in the main deck lounge, to the drinks display cabinet on the bridge deck with bespoke-sized backlit glass cubes sized to fit individual bottles. But glass is heavy. For the yacht to be fast, it needs to be light.

The helipad converts into an open-air cinema, with a screen that rises from the deck.  Courtesy Heesen

On a yacht of Galactica ’s size, everything is large, from the four MTU V20 engines (12 tons each) and the two gearboxes (13 tons each), to the air-intakes and the fuel tanks. But everything was made as lightweight as possible. The boat totals only 1,700 gross tons. The owner’s 30 knots will come from the MTUs’ 19,320 horsepower as well as the variable-pitch propellers.

Nothing has come easy with this yacht build. Its January journey from Heesen’s shipyard in Oss to the port of Harlingen where the boat is undergoing final testing in the North Sea was a game of inches. It passed through villages and squeezed beneath canal bridges with less than half a foot to spare, a hair-raising exercise for an undelivered superyacht. It will be turned over to its owner in April.

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Largest Sailing Yachts in the World (with Price & Owners)

In this list of the largest sailing yachts in the world, you'll discover the top 20 remarkable ones, from the groundbreaking Sailing Yacht A at 469 feet to Jeff Bezos' massive Y721 (aka Koru) that spans 416 feet. The owners of these magnificent yachts are often influential figures in various industries, such as technology, finance, and real estate.

Sailing Yacht "A", the largest sailing yacht in the world, is owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, who also owns Mikhail S. Vorontsov and Hetairos. Other large sailing yachts are:

• Black Pearl
• Maltese Falcon
• Sea Eagle II

The yachting industry is bound to keep evolving and pushing the limits of what's possible. Who knows, maybe by 2024, the new Somnio "yacht-liner" might redefine our concept of luxury sailing altogether. For now, let's get to know more about these 20 sailing yachts, their prices, and their owners.

• Sailing Yacht "A", built in 2015, is worth $600 million. It can accommodate 20 guests and 54 crew members.
• The largest sailing yacht was designed by Philippe Starck and built by the German shipyard Nobiskrug.
• Andrey Melnichenko is a prominent figure in the worlds of business, yachting, and philanthropy.
• Top-notch industry players such as Oceanco, Lürssen, Royal Huisman, and Vitters Shipyard are known for their attention to detail and form-function balance, which could potentially increase the yacht's price.

On this page:

20 largest sailing yachts, the largest sailing yacht in the world, world's largest yacht is owned by....

Sailing Yacht A — 142.81M (468.6 Ft.)

You may have heard of Sailing Yacht A, a luxurious superyacht measuring 143 meters in length. Owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, this yacht is famous for its blend of modern design and cutting-edge technology. Its price is estimated to be around $500 million.

Sailing Yacht "A" is unique for its futuristic design, which includes a towering masts that are among the tallest in the world, a curved hull, and a striking all-black exterior. The yacht also features a state-of-the-art hybrid propulsion system that allows it to sail silently and efficiently under wind power, as well as a range of luxurious amenities such as a swimming pool, a helipad, and a spa.

Koru — 127M (416 Ft.)

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns the breathtaking Oceanco's record-breaking 127-meter sailing yacht, Koru. This sailing giant was built in the Netherlands in 2023.

Koru is unique for its custom design, which was created by the renowned naval architect Ron Holland and features a sleek and modern exterior with clean lines and a metallic silver finish. The yacht also features a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a hybrid propulsion system that allows for efficient and flexible sailing.

Sea Cloud — 109.5M (359 Ft.)

At 109.52 meters, the elegant Sea Cloud is a breathtaking four-masted sailing ship built in 1931. It operates primarily as a luxurious charter yacht, providing guests with a unique, unforgettable experience.

Sea Cloud is unique for its historic charm and elegance, having been built in 1931 as a private yacht for a wealthy American couple. The yacht has since been restored and converted into a luxury cruise ship, but still retains many of its original features, including a wooden deck, brass fittings, and period furnishings. Sea Cloud also offers a unique sailing experience, with guests able to help hoist the sails and steer the ship.

Black Pearl — 106.7M (350 Ft.)

The eco-friendly Black Pearl, measuring 106.7 meters in length, boasts state-of-the-art DynaRig technology and holds the title of the world's largest sailing yacht, at least, when it comes to sail area.

Black Pearl is unique for its advanced technology and cutting-edge design, including a revolutionary DynaRig sail system that allows for efficient and flexible sailing, as well as a hybrid propulsion system that can switch seamlessly between diesel and electric power. The yacht also features a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa.

Eos — 93M (305 Ft.)

The stunning 92.92-meter sailing yacht Eos has a classic design and high-performance capabilities. Owned by American fashion designer Diane von Fürstenberg and American businessman Barry Diller, it is one of the largest private sailing yachts in the world.

Eos is unique for its size and spacious interior, which includes a range of luxurious amenities such as a full-size bar, a cinema, and a spa. The yacht also features a hybrid propulsion system that allows for efficient and flexible sailing, as well as a classic and elegant design with traditional features such as wooden decks and brass fittings.

Athena — 90M (295 Ft.)

Athena, an impressive 90-meter superyacht, includes five en-suite cabins, a gym, and a library. Built by Royal Huisman, this classic schooner combines luxury with deep sea exploration capabilities.

Athena is unique for its classic design and traditional sailing techniques, having been modeled after the famous J-class yachts of the 1930s. The yacht features a wooden hull, a towering mast, and a range of vintage features such as brass fittings and period furnishings. Athena also offers a range of luxurious amenities, including a swimming pool, a gym, and a library.

Maltese Falcon — 88M (289 Ft.)

You'll be amazed by the innovative Maltese Falcon, a 88-meter sailing yacht. It features a revolutionary DynaRig system and is owned by Greek socialite Elena Ambrosiadou.

Maltese Falcon is unique for its innovative DynaRig sail system, which allows for efficient and flexible sailing without the need for traditional sails and rigging. The yacht also features a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a unique interior design that combines modern and traditional elements.

Aquijo — 85.9M (282 Ft.)

The 85-meter superyacht Aquijo is the perfect example of elegance and high-performance on the water. With an impressive interior, it offers the ultimate sailing experience.

Aquijo is unique for its large size and spacious interior, which includes a main salon with a double-height ceiling, a full-size bar, and a dining area that can seat up to 20 guests. The yacht also features a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a unique hybrid propulsion system that allows for efficient and flexible sailing.

Sea Eagle II — 81M (266 Ft.)

The 81-meter Sea Eagle II, built by Royal Huisman, features a plumb bow, an exceptional sailing performance, and spacious interiors.

Sea Eagle II is unique for its classic design and traditional sailing techniques, having been modeled after the historic tall ships of the 19th century. The yacht features a wooden hull, a towering mast, and a range of vintage features such as brass fittings and period furnishings. Sea Eagle II also offers a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a spacious and comfortable interior with a classic and elegant design.

M5 — 78.4M (257.2 Ft.)

Owned by American businessman Rodney Lewis, the 75-meter M5 is a luxurious yacht built by Southern Ocean Marine with impressive sailing capabilities.

M5 is unique for its advanced sail system, which includes a set of high-tech carbon-fiber sails that can be adjusted automatically to optimize performance and efficiency. The yacht also features a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a sleek and modern interior design with clean lines and contemporary furnishings.

Enigma — 74.5M (244 Ft.)

Enigma, formerly known as Phocea, is a 75-meter sailing yacht known for her sleek profile and extraordinary speed capabilities.

Enigma is unique for its sleek and modern design, which includes a striking silver exterior and a minimalist interior with clean lines and contemporary furnishings. The yacht also features a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a hybrid propulsion system that allows for efficient and flexible sailing.

Badis I — 70M (230 Ft.)

Badis 1, a 70.8-meter sailing yacht, boasts a stunning aluminum hull, a powerful rig, and a luxurious interior accommodating up to 12 guests.

Badis I is unique for its classic design and traditional sailing techniques, having been modeled after the famous J-class yachts of the 1930s. The yacht features a wooden hull, a towering mast, and a range of vintage features such as brass fittings and period furnishings. Badis I also offers a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a spacious and comfortable interior with a classic and elegant design.

Vertigo — 67.2M (220 Ft.)

Famed for its contemporary design, Vertigo is a 67-meter sailing yacht built by Alloy Yachts. With impressive features and an award-winning interior, it's a dream come true for sailing enthusiasts.

Vertigo is unique for its striking and modern design, which includes a sleek and minimalist exterior and a spacious and comfortable interior with clean lines and contemporary furnishings. The yacht also features a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a hybrid propulsion system that allows for efficient and flexible sailing.

Hetairos — 66.7M (219 Ft.)

Hetairos, owned by a Russian billionaire, is a 66.7-meter high-performance sailing yacht. With an advanced composite hull, it promises excellent speed and luxurious amenities.

Hetairos is unique for its advanced composite construction, which makes it one of the fastest and most efficient sailing yachts in the world. The yacht also features a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a striking black and silver exterior design.

Adix — 65.5M (215 Ft.)

The 65.5-meter three-masted schooner Adix is a beautiful sailing yacht known for its timeless design and quality craftsmanship.

Adix is unique for its classic design and traditional sailing techniques, having been modeled after the historic tall ships of the 19th century. The yacht features a wooden hull, a towering mast, and a range of vintage features such as brass fittings and period furnishings. Adix also offers a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a spacious and comfortable interior with a classic and elegant design.

Mikhail S. Vorontsov — 63.4M (208 Ft.)

The Mikhail S. Vorontsov is a 64.5-meter sailing yacht with a completely wooden hull, offering a classic and captivating charm.

Mikhail S. Vorontsov is unique for its opulent and extravagant design, which includes a range of luxurious features such as a grand staircase, a full-size ballroom, and a range of ornate decorations and furnishings. The yacht also features a range of modern amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a hybrid propulsion system that allows for efficient and flexible sailing.

Perseus^3 — 60M (197 Ft.)

The high-performance sailing yacht Perseus^3, measuring 60 meters in length, includes a carbon-fiber mast, a powerful regatta rig, and cutting-edge features for the ultimate sailing experience.

Perseus^3 is unique for its advanced sail system, which includes a set of high-tech carbon-fiber sails that can be adjusted automatically to optimize performance and efficiency. The yacht also features a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a sleek and modern interior design.

Ngoni — 58M (190 Ft.)

Ngoni, a stunning 58-meter sailing yacht built by Royal Huisman, is known for its innovative design and advanced sailing technology.

Ngoni is unique for its unconventional design, which includes a striking black and gold exterior and a minimalist interior with clean lines and contemporary furnishings. The yacht also features a range of luxurious amenities, including a beach club, a cinema, and a spa, as well as a hybrid propulsion system that allows for efficient and flexible sailing.

Twizzle — 57.5M (188 Ft.)

Last but not least, the 57.5-meter sailing yacht Twizzle offers exceptional sailing performance paired with timeless elegance, making for a luxurious experience on the water.

Twizzle is unique for its spacious and comfortable interior, which includes a range of luxurious amenities such as a full-size bar, a cinema, and a spa. The yacht also features a hybrid propulsion system that allows for efficient and flexible sailing, as well as a sleek and modern design with clean lines and contemporary furnishings.

Fleurtje — 57.4M (188 Ft.)

Fleurtje is a classic sailing yacht that was built in 1961 by the Dutch shipyard De Vries Lentsch. The yacht underwent a major refit in 1993, which included the installation of a new engine, a new mast, and a range of modern amenities.

Fleurtje features a classic design with a wooden hull and a traditional rig, which gives it a timeless and elegant appearance. The yacht also features a spacious and comfortable interior with a range of luxurious amenities, including a full-size bar, a cinema, and a spa. It is also known for its impressive sailing performance, with a top speed of 12 knots under sail and a range of advanced technologies that allow for efficient and flexible sailing.

Is Sailing Yacht "A", which is 143 meters long, 24.88 meters wide, has a draft of 8 meters, and weighs 1428 tons. It can accommodate 20 guests, and has 54 crew members.

The crew sizes, and operating costs of these yachts can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the size and complexity of the yacht, the level of luxury and amenities onboard, and the location and frequency of use.

Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko. Melnichenko is known for his extravagant lifestyle and his love of luxury yachts. He is the owner of the largest and iconic Sailing Yacht "A", which is considered one of the most expensive and technologically advanced yachts ever built. He is also the owner of the motor yacht "A", which was built by the same shipyard as Sailing Yacht "A" and features a similarly striking design.

Melnichenko was born on March 8, 1972, in Gomel, Belarus. In addition to his business and yachting interests, Melnichenko is also a philanthropist who supports a range of charitable causes through his Andrey & Aleksandra Melnichenko Foundation. The foundation focuses on supporting education, science, and culture, and has provided funding for a range of projects in Russia and around the world.

Melnichenko is one of the wealthiest people in Russia, with a net worth of over $18 billion, according to Forbes. He made his fortune in the energy and chemical industries, having founded the fertilizer producer EuroChem and the coal producer SUEK. He is also a major shareholder in the power company Siberian Generating Company and the pipe producer TMK.

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80m COSMOS will be ‘world’s largest and fastest aluminium yacht’

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By Katia Damborsky   4 December 2019

With the capacity to reach speeds nearing 30 knots, Heesen’s 80.7m/ 265ft motor yacht COSMOS combines high performance with an impressive LOA to deliver a world first. 

The stars aligned for Heesen yesterday, as members of the press gathered at Marriott County Hall in London to learn more about the Dutch yard’s brand new flagship; the 80.7m COSMOS .

On course for delivery in 2022, the yacht is set to become the largest and fastest aluminium yacht ever built, according to Heesen’s Sales Director Mark Cavendish. 

Heesen are no stranger to all aluminium-builds, but their latest project will be a colossal undertaking that aims to balance form with function.

From her construction to her engine make-up, COSMOS marks a series of technological firsts for the shipyard.

“We love a challenge at Heesen.” Commented Cavendish, “To do that kind of speed [...] our engineering team came up with a patent called ‘backbone technology’.”

Similarly to an I girder, backbone technology is a construction method that aims to provide structural support and rigidity without adding weight that could impact the yacht’s performance. The unique shape of the structure distributes the yacht's weight more evenly.

Four smaller MTU engines will power the yacht, totalling 19,000 hp. This marks another first for the yard, which has historically only used twin MTU engines (with the exception of 70m/ 230ft Galactica Supernova , which has two engines for cruising and a third engine that kicks in to deliver top speeds). 

With top speeds set to reach close to 30 knots, COSMOS will be around twice as fast as other yachts in her size class. 

 “We don’t build yachts of the same breed, we innovate.” Stated Arthur Brouwer, CEO of Heesen.

The yacht will have a cruising speed of 22 knots, and a GT of 17,000 tonnes.

With top speeds set to reach close to 30 knots, COSMOS will be around twice as fast as other yachts in her size class.

The owner’s brief centred around speed and size, all while maintaining the sleek finish of a sports yacht. 

Her styling is a collaborative effort between two esteemed design houses, with polished exteriors penned by Winch Design and interiors helmed by Sinot. 

Renderings of the yacht paint a picture of serenity and provide a closer look at her design details; her exterior features smooth lines with plenty of curves and wide expanses of dark glass that contrast her crisp white hull.

She features a foredeck helipad and a large aft deck pool fed by a waterfall feature. 

Her beach club will be drenched in light thanks to twin sea terraces and glass panels in the pool above. The space will benefit from a recessed bar area and lounging space. 

She features accommodation for up to 12 guests in six well-appointed cabins. Across her accommodation and social areas, her interiors reflect a refined theme with plenty of wenge, black onyx and crystal panels.

A representative of Sinot has said; “[The owner] did not want anything too shiny. He wanted something very neutral but with some burst of colours as well as beautiful textures."

 We don’t build yachts of the same breed, we innovate. Arthur Brouwer, CEO of Heesen Yachts

Another key feature is the central staircase, which Sinot has said draws inspiration from the natural world; shaped like ‘petals of a flower’, according to the design house. 

Other on-board highlights include a marble steam room and alfresco cinema set-up on the foredeck. The tender garage, which will play host to a Winch-designed custom limousine tender, sits under the helideck.

It is not yet known whether COSMOS will become a superyacht for charter .

You can view and compare all Heesen charter yachts .

Fast superyachts for charter:

40m Overmarine 2007

47m Leopard 2011

77m SilverYachts 2015

50m Overmarine 2017

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Live updates: Seven dead in 56m superyacht Bayesian sinking tragedy

Seven people have died in the Bayesian sinking disaster. These include the six missing people who were inside the yacht when it sank, as well as a seventh person who was located shortly after the disaster. The seventh person is understood to be the yacht's chef, Recaldo Thomas. The other six are:

• British tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch, once dubbed 'Britain's Bill Gates'
• Lynch's 18-year-old daughter, Hannah
• Morgan Stanley's chairman, Jonathan Bloomer
• Judy Bloomer, wife of Morgan Stanley chairman
• Chris Morvillo, a lawyer working for London-based law firm Clifford Chance
• Neda Morvillo, an American jewellery designer and Chris' wife

It is understood that the yacht was being used to celebrate Lynch's recent victory in a 13-year £8 billion fraud acquittal.

No one remembers the mast snapping before 56m superyacht Bayesian sunk, says crew

No one recalls seeing the mast snap on board the 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian which sank off the Italian island of Sicily on 19 August. The eyewitness account of a crewmember on board the vessel, which was obtained by BOAT International , said that the boat was struck by a freak weather event which led to the yacht heeling at around 20 degrees to starboard. As crewmembers were securing items, the heeling angle began to increase rapidly until the yacht started taking on water and sank rapidly.

The crewmembers who were up on deck were able to evacuate the yacht with minor injuries. The yacht is understood to have sunk in just twelve minutes, and it is believed that a "major ingress" of water from the top down would have caused the sinking, according to a captain who wishes to remain anonymous. This is based on the fact that no breaches have been reported in the yacht's hull, and the fact that the yacht should have been able to remain afloat with two flooded compartments.

"Very difficult to understand what could have overwhelmed a vessel of that size" says captain of sistership

The captain of the sistership to the sunken 56-metre Perini Navi sailing yacht Bayesian has said it is "very difficult to understand what could have overwhelmed a vessel of that size" and called the 56-metre Perini Navi series "bulletproof".

David Hutchinson, captain of Rosehearty , said he had taken the yacht around the world multiple times and he had "total faith in the boat".  "We've been to Antarctica and Chile, and we've had her in 70 knots of wind," he says, and the vessel had never put them in a situation that felt unmanageable.

However, Hutchinson noted there were differences between Bayesian and Rosehearty ; notably, Bayesian's  74-metre mast, which would have been heavier and added increased windage. The yacht's layout was also different, with guest accommodation on Bayesian located further forward.

Live updates

• During a news conference on Saturday morning (24 August), prosecutors confirmed they are in the early stages of investigating a "crime hypothesis" of culpable shipwreck and manslaughter. Authorities also said the yacht likely sunk because of a downburst (powerful wind that descends from a thunderstorm), rather than a waterspout.
• A search and rescue for six missing people has concluded. The final missing person is understood to be Hannah Lynch. 
• According to Reuters, six bodies have now been found in the sunken yacht. These include Mike Lynch, a British technology entrepreneur who co-founded Autonomy Corporation and founded Invoke Capital, although Italian authorities have not confirmed this.  
• One person was found immediately after the yacht sunk, and this is understood to be the yacht's chef. 
• Lynch’s wife, Angela Bacares, and a one-year-old are among the fifteen people rescued along with Bayesian' s captain, James Cutfield.
• Another sailing vessel in the area, the 42-metre Sir Robert Baden Powell ,  stepped in to offer assistance in the initial rescue.
• Divers have been able to reach Bayesian' s sunken hull, which lies at 45 metres of depth about half a mile from the coast. The yacht had the largest aluminium masts of any sailing yacht on the water.
• Eyewitnesses in the area reported "hurricane" conditions off the coast but local weather websites did not indicate any severe squall, which suggests that the weather event was not forecast.
• At around 5am local time on 19 August, Bayesian was hit by bad weather and sunk.  The sailing yacht was anchored or idle at the time of the incident.

Built in Italy by renowned builder Perini Navi and delivered in 2008, the yacht's naval architecture was developed by Ron Holland Design while the interior design is by Rémi Tessier . She was formerly known as Salute and was last refitted in 2016. She was listed for sale earlier this year, according to BOATPro . The yacht had accommodation for nine guests and 12 crew.

BOAT International will update the story as it develops.

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What caused the fatal sinking of the superyacht Bayesian?

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Victor Mallet and Visual and Data Journalism team in London

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

One of the world’s largest sailing superyachts sank in high winds off Sicily on Monday, causing the death of UK tech entrepreneur Mike Lynch and six other passengers and crew whose bodies were recovered from the wreck or from the sea.

The trip on the Lynch family’s yacht had been intended to celebrate his recent acquittal by a US jury, with 12 passengers on board, including his wife and 18-year-old daughter, and 10 crew members.

The Italian coastguard said the 56-metre, 540-tonne, British-flagged yacht Bayesian sank within minutes after it was hit by ferocious winds of 60 knots (over 110km/h) near Palermo.

The rapid sinking of such a large, modern and well-equipped yacht due to bad weather, rather than as a result of a collision, has raised concerns over marine safety as extreme weather events occur with more frequency and intensity.

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Why did the superyacht sink?

The yacht may well have been caught in a waterspout — a form of tornado — because the extreme wind speeds were recorded only in a localised area around the harbour of Porticello, where the boat was anchored about 300 metres offshore when it was struck.

Karsten Börner, the skipper of a nearby boat, told the FT that Bayesian appeared to capsize. He said he regarded the boat as unstable and his comments suggest that it could have been the combination of high winds and Bayesian’s 72-metre mast — the world’s tallest aluminium mast, according to manufacturers Perini Navi — that triggered the disaster.

Even with no sails up, a boat with a tall mast has a lot of “windage”, or surface area exposed to the wind, which can tip the vessel over in a storm. The boat may have heeled over so far that it took on water through open windows, hatches or companionways.

According to Perini Navi, Bayesian had a keel that can be lifted to reduce the draught of the boat — otherwise nearly 10 metres — for easier entrance to shallow harbours. If the keel were for some reason in the raised position rather than fully extended, that could compromise the boat’s stability in a strong wind.

Skippers of sailing yachts with exceptionally high masts typically aim to move out of harm’s way if strong winds are forecast.

Yacht designers and sailors are nevertheless puzzled by the sinking of the boat. AIS (Automatic Identification System) tracking data shows it took 16 minutes from the time Bayesian appeared to started dragging its anchor until it sank. But it is not yet known whether vulnerable hatches were open or when water started entering the boat. Italian prosecutors are investigating possible charges of manslaughter and “negligent shipwreck”.

Giovanni Costantino, chief executive of Italian Sea Group, which owns Perini Navi, told the Financial Times that Bayesian was “absolutely safe” and said the crew should have had time to secure the boat and evacuate passengers from their cabins.

Should we blame climate change?

Climate change is likely to have been at least a contributing factor in the Mediterranean’s unsettled and sometimes violent weather this summer. The Mediterranean is a favoured cruising ground for superyachts during the northern hemisphere summer — in winter, the wealthy prefer the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean — because the weather is typically warm and sunny, and storms are rare. 

Meteorological experts have long predicted that climate change and the heating-up of oceans will help trigger more extreme weather events, including floods, droughts and more severe hurricanes.

Last week, the Mediterranean reached a median temperature of 28.9C — its highest surface temperature on record — and similar records are being broken in other seas. June was the 15th consecutive month that global sea temperatures hit a record high and forecasters predict the warmer waters may fuel an intense Atlantic hurricane season.

Will disasters at sea occur more often?

While design improvements and safety regulations have made even the smallest boats safer, the potential dangers posed by bad weather are increasing in line with the rising number of pleasure vessels at sea.

Last week, a sudden and exceptionally strong thunderstorm with wind squalls blowing at up to 53 knots (about 100km/h) swept over the Balearic Islands of Ibiza and Formentera, driving several sailing and motor yachts to crash on to the shore. Among those damaged and grounded but later recovered was a luxury, 30-metre vessel made by the Monaco-based Wally Yachts .

The cause was a thunderstorm known as a “Dana”, a Spanish acronym for depresión aislada en niveles altos or isolated high-altitude depression. The bad weather also caused serious flooding in Mallorca and Menorca to the north.

How can boat makers and skippers help avoid more deaths?

The weather in the Mediterranean is often notoriously unpredictable and prone to sudden, unforecast gales — unlike the north Atlantic, where weather shifts are usually signalled days in advance by changing air pressure and cloud formations visible to the naked eye.

Safety at sea depends largely on two factors: the seaworthiness of the boat and the skill and experience of the captain and crew.

Modern boats — Bayesian was built in 2008 and refurbished four years ago — are normally built to high safety standards and equipped with electronic navigation and communications systems, as well as standard emergency gear such as life vests.

Common accidents include people falling overboard, fires on board and accidental groundings or collisions — not sinking in bad weather.

Visual and data team: Alan Smith, Aditi Bhandhari, Ian Bott and Jana Tauschinski

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