These are the beginnings of a 208-foot expedition yacht that Delta Marine is building in its new metal-hull facility, called Delta North. Yes, you read that right: The Seattle-based yard that has made a strong case for years for all-fiberglass megayachts is expanding its offerings into steel and aluminum.
Actually, Delta already delivered a metal yacht in recent years, the 240-foot, steel-hulled Laurel, but that hull work was subcontracted to another Pacific Northwest yard. Recognizing that some yacht owners will always prefer steel or aluminum under the water, Delta decided to acquire a building just three miles down the river, to keep work in house. The new Delta North shed is 400 feet long by 100 feet wide. The site had been used to build ferries and tugs and had high ceilings, as well as an established infrastructure for large-scale construction, so it was a good fit for Delta’s desire–not just to build metal boats, but to build 300-foot-plus ones. Of course, Delta still modified the building, adding, among other things, two 25-ton overhead gantry cranes.
As the hull pictured above comes to completion, it will be sent by barge to Delta’s main yard for final fit-out. The same process will be repeated for all future metal hulls, too.
Make no mistake; even with the move into steel and aluminum, Delta is not abandoning its heritage in fiberglass. In fact, this 208-footer will feature a composite superstructure, as will a 180-foot aluminum-hulled megayacht it’s also presently building. “This allows us to be more innovative, less restricted by history and find unconventional solutions, lightweight, creative forms that are more progressive in design and utility,” explains Jay Miner, Delta’s chief naval architect.
In keeping with that progressive concept, the 208-footer will feature diesel-electric propulsion and dynamic positioning. She’ll also have an ice-classed hull and a recessed helicopter garage with a refueling station.
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