The primary purpose of any yacht, motor or sail, is to maximize an owner’s enjoyment of the water. If Iñigo Toledo, director of Barracuda Yacht Design, has his way, this sailing yacht will triple the buyer’s enjoyment. Measuring 180 feet LOA, the 180 Performance yacht emphasizes speed, minimal heeling, and of course interior comfort.
The superyacht draws some inspiration from the studio’s work on two Spanish entrants for the America’s Cup race. Barracuda Yacht Design has given her a canting keel with lead bulb, for instance, with adjustable daggerboards. This, along with 35 tons of transferable water ballast, should reportedly permit the 180 Performance yacht to achieve 15-knot speeds upwind, even when the breeze is 20 knots. To underscore the significance of her abilities, Toledo says that the all-aluminum yacht will be capable of running in just 8 knots of wind with no difficulty. Similar-size, traditional sailing craft, meanwhile, typically need 15 knots or more, he says.
Those numbers should appeal to any owner seeking to participate in the popular superyacht regattas worldwide. But if he or she needs further convincing, the attention paid to the heeling angle should be satisfactory. Barracuda Yacht Design says that even in high winds, the maximum upwind heel should never exceed 10 degrees.
That will keep everyone on deck comfortable whether racing or cruising, as should the large flybridge. It has dedicated areas for sunning, dining, or simply relaxing, along with twin helms. The owner and up to eight guests should feel equally catered to inside, with generous spaces for lounging and dining. Unusually, the design also includes a glass partition separating the dining room from the hallway, where the stairway/elevator sits. Barracuda Yacht Design is leaving the choice of the stairway vs. elevator up to the eventual owner.
Speaking of the owner, the full-beam owner’s suite on the lower deck is sure to grab attention. It features a private lounge space opposite the bed, his and her heads, and a sauna (fully aft to starboard). The standout detail, however, is what Barracuda Yacht Design calls a “beach zone.” Directly above the water to port, it lets the owner cool down in the fresh air upon exiting the sauna.
Add to all of this 1,400 square meters (more than 15,000 square feet) of sail area and a garage capable of holding a handful of watertoys, and the 180 certainly seems to put the “performance” in “performance yacht.”
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