One-hundred and seventy feet of high performance. That’s Red Dragon, which launched at Alloy Yachts on the 13th of this month. If you’re puzzled by the photo with the helicopter and tugboat, don’t be; that’s the moment when the launching pontoons were removed. The other image shows Red Dragon, prior to her 205-foot-high carbon-fiber mast being fitted, on sea trials in Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour.
Not only is the gray and white sailing yacht the fourth megayacht of more than 50 meters (164 feet) to be launched by the New Zealand yard, she’s the latest project for Guy and Myriam Ullens, experienced owners from Belgium. The Ullenses attended the launch, in fact, and just after it, Guy remarked, “The yard is producing exceptional pieces like this. Red Dragon is a work of art.” The man knows of what he speaks: Besides being an avid yachtsman, the Belgian gentleman is also a renowned art collector. (Google his name and you’ll likely see information on his latest investment in an art center in Beijing.)
As for this investment, Red Dragon, designed by Dubois Naval Architects, should ensure that the Ullenses and upwards of ten guests (and ten crew) are quite comfortable, thanks to a nearly 34-foot beam. Besides a large owners’ suite, there are three guest staterooms and a Pullman berth in the gym, plus alfresco relaxation spots like the cockpit. Since she was conceived to remain at sea for long passages, a single 1,400-hp Caterpillar C32 diesel engine should allow her a range of 5,900 nautical miles while traveling at 10 knots.
But being a sailing yacht, her real attraction should be her sail system. The mast will have a fully battened in-boom furling mainsail. Eleven captive and six vertical winches, all of which are designed and being built by Alloy Yachts, will handle sails.
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