Sometimes a designer and builder enjoy working with each other so much that they pledge to collaborate again. That’s what happened with Andrew Winch and Royal Huisman. They first joined forces in 1987, when Winch worked for the late Jon Bannenberg. (The project: Acharné, known now as Diamond for Ever.) The yachting firms are promoting the DART projects, two same-size but different styled megayachts.
DART is both a motoryacht and a sailing yacht concept, each measuring 262 feet (80 meters). Winch says the power version actually came first. “Having created the motoryacht we wanted, we surreptitiously put two masts on it,” he explains. Clearly, that sailing evolution fits in with the Dutch yard’s DNA. But, Royal Huisman has also built some well-known motoryachts, like Arcadia, which transited the Northwest Passage in 2011.
Interesting enough, DNA is something that Winch discussed during the projects’ unveiling at the Monaco Yacht Show last month. “It’s a returning honor to work with Royal Huisman,” he says, adding, “I wanted to develop the DNA of Royal Huisman, develop what yachting is about in our eyes.” He further says that both he and the shipyard wanted to capture “the spirit of the sea.”
That spirit is reflected in the styling of each DART, literally. Winch says the shape of the sheerline and the length of the bow for both megayachts came from the way a dolphin looks while leaping out of the water. He even shaped the upper part of the motoryacht’s mast like a whale tail. To enhance owners’ and guests’ connection to the sea while cruising and at anchor, the aft ends of both megayachts are terraced down to the waterline, and the transoms are completely open to take in the surroundings. That, in turn, means there’s a decided lack of a fold-down beach platform. As Winch explains, “Why make a platform when you can make the beach in the yacht itself?”
Both the DART motoryacht and sailing yacht further include an infinity pool aft, fold-down balconies on the main deck, a main-deck master suite and accompanying children’s cabin or VIP cabin, and six guest staterooms below decks. Also below decks are a spa, gym, and cinema, and ports on both the main deck and lower deck are full height to maximize the views. In terms of technology, Royal Huisman has researched environmentally-friendly systems like waste-heat recyclers for the main engines and hydro generators vs. traditional diesel gensets, and plans to incorporate them onboard.
Even with the similarities, the DART megayachts have individual characteristics. Alfresco dining on the upper deck of the sailing yacht can be nearly open air. It’s thanks to retractable windows to each side. A high-aspect foil keel and retractable centerboard should make the sailing yacht a spirited performer and permit accessing some skinny waters. She’ll further have furling reef booms made by Rondal, square-topped mainsails, a 105% jib, and more for easier handling.
The DART motoryacht, meanwhile, tucks a hot tub into the base of the mast on the motoryacht and conceals her tenders in the foredeck. Twin diesels pair with azimuthing pulling props. These are proven to have low drag and be highly efficient, particularly in speed ranges from 20 to 25 knots. Neither Royal Huisman nor Winch have provided specifics on anticipated performance. Regardless, the DART motoryacht is described as being high-performance and long-range.
For more information directly from Royal Huisman on either DART megayacht, please fill out our contact form.
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