When a famed yacht-design house showcases a concept megayacht project, it’s news. When two such firms join forces on a project, it’s bigger news. Such is the case with Dixon Yacht Design and Ken Freivokh Design, which co-developed the Mantis 80.
Dixon Yacht Design initiated the project, conceiving a performance-oriented, flying-bridge-equipped sailing yacht. At 271 feet (82.5 meters), the Mantis 80 would also have the flying bridge deck incorporated into the hull line, for a clean, lean profile. As for performance, below the waterline, Dixon Yacht Design envisions a lifting keel that won’t impinge on accommodations. Draft will be about 29½ feet (9 meters) with the keel lowered and 19’7” (6 meters) with it raised. Meanwhile, above decks, the Mantis 80 will have a ketch rig, with 22,604 square feet (2,100 square meters) of sail.
As for the interior, Ken Freivokh of the eponymous design firm explains that Bill Dixon, head of Dixon Yacht Design, extended the invitation. Collaboration was simple, he says, and not just because of Dixon Yacht Design’s professionalism. “We both have offices facing the river Hamble and can actually see each other across the river. It was therefore very easy to hold meetings and agree on improvements as the project developed,” Freivokh says.
Six staterooms for the owners and guests, plus eight cabins for crew, are featured. Also featured: balconies off the master suite and the saloon, and a skylight sitting atop a spiral staircase that connects the decks, letting plenty of natural light cascade down. There’s also an emphasis on lightweight furnishings, so nothing will need to be stripped out if the eventual owner wishes to race the Mantis 80. However, Freivokh adds, “it is a very open layout, so it would lend itself to different accommodation requirements.” Even with changes requested by the eventual owner, Freivokh believes “the essential integration of the flybridge deck and the long sightlights and level definition should be preserved.”
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