If you’re a subscriber to the Megayacht News e-newsletter (see signup at left), then earlier this week you read a teaser about the launch of the unusually named Hanuman from Royal Huisman. Here’s your first look at the 138-footer as she was lowered into the water in recent weeks.
There’s typically a good story behind an unusual yacht name, and this one is no different. Hanuman is a prominent figure in the Hindu religion, a monkey deity (see below) who led an army of other monkeys to help Lord Rama defeat the demon king Ravana. Hanuman is revered in literature for adults and children alike as a hero and for his strength, courage, intellect, and devotion.
A similar sense of devotion is being shown by the owner of the megayacht Hanuman: He’s Jim Clark, a repeat client of Royal Huisman’s. No doubt you recognize the names Hyperion and Athena, measuring 47 meters (154 feet) and 90 meters (295 feet), respectively. But in another way, Clark and Royal Huisman are actually showing devotion to the late Tommy Sopwith, because Hanuman is a replica of Sopwith’s famous America’s Cup J-class Endeavour II.
Inside, Hanuman will make guests feel like they stepped right into the 1930’s, with period furnishings, French walnut paneling, and other elements chosen by Pieter Beeldsnijder and Acanthus International, a firm specializing in antique art and architectural restoration and replication. Outside, teak will line the deckhouse, deck hardware will have a matte finish, and the black hull will be accented by a recessed gold cove stripe.
Dykstra & Partners, the naval architecture team, has even designed Hanuman to perform faithfully to the way Endeavor II did. She’s said to be in line with the rules of the J-Class Association, which permit modern approaches to things like sail area and build materials yet hold the line on historic design features. Hanuman therefore is built of Alustar (hull) and carbon-composite (deckhouse), with her mast and boom made of carbon. In addition, the mast and sail design are intended to act as a single aerodynamic shape.
Another interesting convergence of past and present is at the helm–specifically, for the display of navigation information. Omitting a flat-screen nav display would put Hanuman at a disadvantage when it comes to racing–she’ll participate in J-Class Association races this summer–yet installing one the way most shipyards do would ruin the classic quality. The solution? A pedestal that camouflages it, as well as the controls for the bow thruster and other items.
Hanuman is expected to head out for sea trials in April. Shutterbugs, get your cameras ready. This is one re-creation that is sure to turn heads.
yacht photo: Hans Westerink
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