Hours after her third mast was fitted, sailing yacht A set out for what seems to be her first sea trials.
Sailing yacht A was spotted under tow departing the ADM Kiel shipyard (a sister company of Nobiskrug) today. This comes following her final mast being fitted over the weekend. In fact, all three masts were stepped within this month, following their arrival at the yard earlier this summer from a UK-based manufacturer.
Now that sailing yacht A resembles her purpose, we can better appreciate the avante garde styling from Philippe Starck, and her overall magnitude. LOA is 468’5” (142.81 meters), with beam an equally sizable 81’6” (24.88 meters). With a gross tonnage exceeding 12,000, sailing superyacht A is plenty voluminous.
Also take a good look at her masts, designed by Dykstra Naval Architects. They are said to be the tallest freestanding ones made of carbon fiber and composite. Each weighs 50 tons and can rotate, too.
Sea trials are expected to confirm a cruise speed of 16 knots under diesel-electric propulsion. Technically, A is classed as a sail-assisted vessel, so she will rely on her engines more than a traditional sailing yacht, particularly for long distances.
There is intense interest in this project among yacht-watchers and landlubbers alike, due to her magnitude and unusual styling. There is further interest due to her owner being Andrey Melnichenko, who also owns the dramatic-looking motoryacht A. Melnichenko has not yet publicly commented on sailing superyacht A, though he has permitted a publicity team to reveal the facts above, and plans to allow further details to come as she nears completion.
Leave a Reply