Current and former students worldwide certainly know the name Joseph Conrad. What they may not know is that the famed novelist was christened Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, and that his anglicized name inspired that of a shipyard in his native Poland.
Conrad Shipyard, based in Gdansk, traces its roots to 1989. While it has been relatively low-profile compared to other builders, it counts a Bill Dixon-designed, 27-meter (89-foot) motoryacht among its deliveries, from 2005. In keeping with its focus on both power and sailing yachts and megayachts to 60 meters (197 feet), Conrad is currently collaborating with Vripack on an expedition yacht.
Available for sale by Yachting Partners International (YPI), the Conrad-Vripack 132 is, as the name suggests, 132 feet LOA (40.29 meters). The 28-foot (8.58-meter) beam should make the various spaces comfortable for the owners and eight guests plus six crewmembers. Six crew may sound small for a superyacht this size, but the design and engineering are focused on smaller-scale crew operations. Of course, the yacht will also comply with Lloyds classification and MCA regulations.
While the slideshow below reveals a pear-wood and wenge interior highlighted by suede and white leather, YPI points out that interested parties can put their own imprint on the design. Construction won’t take place until a contract is signed. You can also have all woodwork and furniture created at Conrad, since the yard has a joinery shop, or subbed out to a contractor of your choice. (All welding takes place on site as well.)
Whatever the final decor looks like, the Conrad-Vripack 132 will keep an easy pace: just shy of 14 knots at top speed, thanks to twin Caterpillar C32 ACERTs. Range should be more than 5,000 nautical miles, and the eight-foot (2.52-meter) draft should permit pulling into a variety of quiet coves.
Asking price: €14.5 million ($18.8 million). Delivery should be two years after signing.
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