CRN is tapping the growing travel trend of venturing to far-flung locales and discovering new places. Simply termed an explorer yacht, this 282-foot (86-meter) concept design comes from collaborating with Harrison Eidsgaard (formerly Eidsgaard Design). As much as she’s a nod to the present, she is also a nod to the past.
As to the latter, CRN considers itself “a pioneer in the design and construction of an explorer yacht,” according to Stefano De Vivo, the chief commercial officer. In 1983, Gianni Agnelli, the then-head of Fiat, commissioned the 108-footer (32.9-meter) seen below from the yard. Christening her F100, Agnelli wanted to pursue long-range cruising no matter the weather. With naval architecture by Gerhard Gilgenast, she was quite different than yachts of her era in that regard. Further setting her apart, she was the first of her size to accommodate a helicopter. “With Harrison Eidsgaard, we now want to go back to those values that have led us to be what we are today,” De Vivo adds.
The new explorer yacht’s design brief was twofold. First, CRN envisioned a family wishing to cruise globally, in popular ports and remote regions alike. That concept of exploration extends to the plethora of watertoys and tenders, too. They’re alternately for poking into shallow bays and diving to great depths. Second, and equally important, the explorer yacht needed a blend of enclosed and alfresco areas that all emphasized seeing the natural surroundings.
To address the first requirement, Harrison Eidsgaard gave the 282-foot explorer yacht a helideck. It sits on the uppermost of the five decks. She also has an elongated, protected foredeck with a hefty davit for launching and retrieving toys. In fact, the davit has a 50-ton capacity. Why on the foredeck? Both CRN and Harrison Eidsgaard wanted to keep the explorer yacht’s profile clean, and both additionally admit it was a challenge.
For emphasizing seascapes, the design studio naturally incorporates full-height glass. It’s especially noticeable on the main and upper decks. Some areas boast panoramic views, too. When weather welcomes guests outside, the explorer yacht offers fold-down terraces at the water level. A pool aft on the main deck beckons as well. Not to be left out, the owners have full walk-around access on their deck. It’s just above the wheelhouse (the latter with excellent visibility for all-weather operations, of course). Harrison Eidsgaard used a New York penthouse for inspiration.
Since the 282-footer is a concept, certain dimensions and engineering aspects are not yet final. Only the above-mentioned LOA came with the announcement. We therefore inquired with CRN, and learned that preliminary beam should be 45 feet (13.8 meters). CRN also informs us that the preliminary best range should be 6,000 nautical miles, at 12 knots, with a 15-knot cruise. Interestingly, Harrison Eidsgaard says the project incorporates “unprecedented, state-of-the-art solutions,” though it does not elaborate. Regardless, both CRN and Harrison Eidsgaard say the explorer yacht will be as functional for crew as she is enjoyable for her guests.
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