Typically when big sisters meet their little sisters, “big” and “little” hold true. When Motor Yacht A pulled into Kiel, Germany alongside where Sailing Yacht A is in build, it was quite a different story.
As big as Motor Yacht A is, at 390’4” (119 meters), Sailing Yacht A dwarfs her—even with the latter still shrouded in scaffolding. The differences come in ways besides length. The so-called big sister does measure a mammoth 468’5” (142.81 meters). But, she also rises eight decks in height. And, with gross tonnage exceeding 12,000, compared to Motor Yacht A’s 5,959 tons, that puts the scale into even better perspective.
Many more months of completion lay ahead for Sailing Yacht A. But, no better time than the present for the two yachts to get acquainted, perhaps.
No better time than now for you to acquaint yourself with Sailing Yacht A, either, if you have missed the news over the years. She’s a Nobiskrug project, on site, though, at one of its sister facilities, German Naval Yards. Construction on the aluminum yacht began in early 2012. Not all parts of her are aluminum, however. Carbon composite makes up the three masts, delivered by a subcontractor in 2015. Designed by Dykstra Naval Architects, they’re reportedly the tallest freestanding masts made of these materials. Each weighs 50 tons and rotates, too. Fiber-optic sensors will provide the crew with real-time load data as well as past data details so that they can optimize sailing performance.
That sailing performance should include a cruise of 16 knots, with the diesel-electric propulsion system operational. Sailing Yacht A is actually a sail-assisted vessel under Lloyd’s classification. She therefore will rely on the engines more than a traditional sailing superyacht.
The overall design of Sailing Yacht A comes from Philippe Starck. If you’ve followed either or both projects, you’ll recall he’s additionally responsible for Motor Yacht A. And, both yachts—even with the scaffolding—leave no doubt there’s nothing like either of them.
John Sarsfield
How many gallons per hour does Sailing Yacht A burn on engines alone at maximum throttle? Thanks!
Diane M. Byrne
That type of information has not been made public.