Mirabella V (now M5) was the world’s largest sloop at launch in 2003, measuring 247 feet (75.22 meters) long. Pushing 300 feet (89 meters) high, her single mast was also the world’s tallest. In today’s sailing superyacht world, there are larger craft, plus ones with bigger volumes. Designers therefore wrestle with how to keep them manageable to operate, plus to prevent the heeling motion from distressing guests. Rob Doyle Design and Van Geest Design, whose principals contributed to Mirabella V, have a solution in the concept design Ripple. At 305 feet (93 meters) and 1,780 tons, she rivals mega-size motoryachts for spaciousness. Simultaneously, Ripple is simpler to control and has a safer deck for crew and guests.
Rob Doyle and Pieter Van Geest of the respective eponymous studios were co-workers at Ron Holland Design in 1999. That’s when naval architecture began for Mirabella V, and continued for three years. Since today’s superyacht owners and guests are more family-oriented and certainly outdoor-oriented, on-deck sailing gear like what she had can pose safety concerns. It’s a bigger concern—for crew, too—the bigger the yacht is, due to substantial loads. Therefore, Ripple is a ketch performance yacht with all sailing gear contained inside her structure. While outside steering still exists, on the so-called sky deck, Ripple has automated sheet handling.
To fulfill the performance factor, Rob Doyle Design graces Ripple with a broad beam, 60’7” (18.5 meters). Beam carries far aft, too. She additionally has a swing keel. Keel up, draft is 21’3” (6.48 meters), while draft is 52’5” (16 meters) with it down.
For styling, Van Geest Design accentuates Ripple’s character with integrated lighting. You’ll find it even within the rigging, a nice surprise. Natural light, meanwhile, enters ports integrated into the hull stripe—yet they’re not entirely visible in Ripple’s profile. The visual trickery doesn’t impact life aboard, of course. In fact, it might make the buyers the envy of the anchorage, at least at night. Van Geest Design plans for special lighting to accentuate her profile in these structural areas, too.
Naturally, Ripple is for buyers to tailor to their tastes in terms of staterooms and other relaxation areas. Overall, between the open transom and large interiors, there’s a lot to attract attention. There’s 6,943 square feet (645 square meters) of lower-deck space to arrange, for instance. On the main deck, you get 4,779 square feet (444 square meters). Finally, up top, 1,550 square feet (144 square meters) awaits. Add in a seawater pool on the aft deck, and Ripple is ready to make waves.
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