Dutch yacht builder Royal Huisman has announced that their latest order is for a 56m / 184ft ketch built in the classic style. The yacht to be named Aquarius, is due for delivery to her owners in the autumn of 2017.
Following delivery she will no doubt make an exciting maiden voyage given that the plan is that she should pursue the trade wind heading for the Windward and Leeward islands of the West Indies.
Commissioned by an American couple who selected naval architecture and exterior styling to be by Dykstra Naval Architects the interior design will be looked after by Mark Whiteley working from his newly created company Mark Whiteley Design.
“The yachts interior will compliment her elegant profile and traditional lines with beautiful raised and fielded white painted panelling trimmed with an elegant but simple profile of fine varnished timber,” says Whiteley.
“The brief called for a relaxed home afloat for the owner’s family and friends, and aside from a split-level master cabin featuring a private deckhouse and cockpit, the accommodation includes a large deck salon, three en-suite guest cabins, a media room and even a dedicated fully equipped gym. One cabin will serve as a bunk-room for the owner’s extended family with twin beds that can convert to a Queen double with a set of Pullman berths above. The gymnasium too will have an optional Pullman fitted.”
“The owner’s brief for Aquarius has been for a stunning looking yacht for family enjoyment,” says Thys Nikkels of Dykstra Naval Architects. “We created a slender hull with long overhangs for an elegant and classic-looking yacht with favourable sea-keeping characteristics that are ideal for worldwide cruising. The generous sail area combined with her ketch rig and modern underwater body with fin keel and spade rudder will assure light air agility to her otherwise all round performance. We might see her in a Bucket regatta, but with below deck stowage planned for numerous toys such as a Laser, kayaks, windsurfers and bicycles she will be as much at home in a secluded bay as on the race course or the high seas.”
Rigged with carbon spars, booms and standing rigging scaled to an air draft that maximizes sail area whilst recognizing the Panamax height limitation, the design details feature oval portholes in the sleek, low profile dark blue hull, a circular skylight around the mizzen mast that promises to flood the owners suite with an abundance of natural light, and for added social amenity, A mid deck lounge area with sun canopy above.
Whilst many details are yet to be released, we have already learned that Aquarius will feature acres of uncluttered teak decking, a 6.2m jet drive tender, large 3m side boarding platform and twin helms socially connected to the large shaded main cockpit that adjoins an even larger glass rimmed deck salon at her forward end.