In 1993 Alloy Yachts delivered a 110-foot sloop named Imagine that not only went on to become a finalist in the International Superyacht Society’s design awards competition, but also circumnavigated the world nearly four times.
They say that lightning never strikes twice, but let’s hope that’s not the case with the new performance cruising sloop illustrated above. She’s Imagine II, currently under construction at the New Zealand-based yard for the same European owner who commissioned Imagine. She’s also designed by the same team responsible for her predecessor: Dubois Naval Architects.
Imagine II will be a larger yacht, measuring 145 feet LOA and with a beam just shy of 31 feet. She’ll also naturally incorporate more modern technological features than her predecessor. One such item: a carbon fiber mast with in-boom furling and a composite EC6+ rigging package, both by Southern Spars. (The virtues of EC6+ are extolled on many a sailing discussion board.) Another item: a custom touch-screen alarm- and equipment-monitoring system created by Alloy Yachts, called SeaTouch, the same in-house brand the shipyard has installed on previous launches like Paraiso.
The rest of Imagine II’s sail and power package will include 3DL sails by North, handled by captive and vertical winches designed and built by the shipyard. Headsail furlers will be Reckmann hydraulic units. Close-quarters maneuvering will get a boost from TRAC bow and stern thrusters. And although no anticipated performance numbers have been released by either Alloy or Dubois, if her predecessor is any indication, Imagine II will do well with this setup and her single 873-hp Caterpillar C18 diesel. Why? Because Imagine won her class in the prestigious 1994 Nioulargue regatta, now better known as Les Voiles de St. Tropez.
The eight guests (including the owner’s party) and six crew who’ll experience life aboard Imagine II will be treated to a light-tone interior designed by Alloy Yachts’ in-house team. Their adventures should begin when the yacht is delivered in early 2010.
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