When most people envision an explorer yacht, they think of a motoryacht. However, sailors love adventure, too. Barracuda Yacht Design captures that spirit in its sailing explorer superyacht concept. Measuring 144 feet (44 meters), the yacht has features you might normally associate with a nearly similar-size motoryacht, too.
One of the advantages of this project is lowered costs. Sailing yachts require smaller budgets when it comes to both building and operating. In addition, the way Barracuda Yacht Design plans, she should offer stability and comfort you might not expect of a sailing yacht. In fact, the studio specifies 32 tons of water ballast, in addition to 60 tons of fixed ballast. The water ballast, the studio says, should keep heeling angles to only slightly more than 10 degrees in most situations.
Yet another advantage is the variable-draft keel. At her shallowest, the sailing explorer superyacht draws 11’5” (3.5 meters). While that’s not Bahamas-friendly, it is better than some comparably sized sailing yachts. It thereby allows access to some secluded bays that other yachts would need tenders to explore. Fully down, the fixed-bulb-equipped centerboard makes draft nearly 23 feet (7 meters).
Your crew will appreciate the sail-handling operations. They include a self-tacking jib, a light overlapping genoa, a furling gennaker, and double running backstays. Total upwind sail area measures 11,033 square feet (1,025 square meters). Because globetrotting can mean encountering serious weather, Barracuda Yacht Design planned the concept with this in mind. That also explains an interior steering station besides the twin wheels on the aft deck.
Further inside, the sailing explorer superyacht puts 31 feet (9.55 meters) of beam at your disposal. The galley particularly benefits, designed more like one on a 131-foot (40-meter) motoryacht. The same is true of the engine room, with a separate control room, as well as the relaxation areas. (Long-range cruising means your crew needs to be as comfortable as you are.) The accommodations for 10 people in your party include an aft master with access to a private alfresco area. Side-boarding platforms also make it easy to return to the yacht via tender after a fun day of exploring ashore. Share tales of your adventures over dinner, while gazing occasionally up through the skylights at the changing sky.
As with any concept design, the details are up to you to create with the Barracuda team.
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