What do surfing culture and the Northwest Passage have in common? Nothing. Until now.
Two brothers who know Australia’s waves like the backs of their hands commissioned Vripack to design a rugged explorer to traverse the treacherous waterway, north of the Arctic Circle. It’s part of a nearly lifelong plan to surf from California to Maine in places it’s never been done before. The yacht’s name: Point Break, naturally.
Vripack has not indicated whether Point Break is in build. However, she’s meant to cross the Northwest Passage from the Pacific Ocean side to the Atlantic Ocean, following route 7. (There are seven different ways to make the journey, with route 1 being the most traveled.) Discovered in the 1850s, route 7 was the first, proving the passage existed. It involves crossing between Banks Island and Victoria Island.
The brothers who’ll own Point Break approached Pim Dijksman of Vripack specifically. He’s contributed to the five Vripack megayachts that have made the Northwest Passage crossing thus far. (Four additional megayachts designed by others have done so, too.) “We sat down together right on the studio floor in the midst of the action and started asking questions, giving answers, ripping pictures from magazines, searching the web, cutting textiles, leathers, sticky Post-Its, and simply have loads and loads of fun,” Dijksman says of meeting the brothers.
“By starting with examining the actual route they will sail, we ended up with her operational profile,” he continues. Point Break therefore will need to cruise at low speeds, due to ice, and “preferably without noise.” Similarly, Point Break will need good performance to arrive where the surf’s up: “for instance, in the midst of the night, slipping out of port to catch the first waves early morning, as well as at 20 knots,” Dijksman adds. Vripack decided a hybrid propulsion package would be best suited for these changeable needs.
Those needs including surfing behind the boat. You read that right: Point Break will create wave action. What’s called a water-ballast wing tank aft aboard the megayacht will aid in this. “When there is no wind, the captain can put her in full-speed diesel-electric mode and fill up this tank,” Dijksman says. Point Break’s stern will dig into the water and voila, waves.
Only scant additional details are being divulged by Vripack thus far. Point Break will cruise not just with the brothers, but also their canine companions. She’ll tote a variety of surfboards and kiteboards—plus snowboards and skateboards for land excursions. Ultimately, Point Break is a family-focused project for fun and relaxation.
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