Some shipyards reveal a project in build shortly after contract, then hold all further updates until launch day. Amels is doing things a bit different with a 256-footer (78-meter). It is giving current and future customers (and, conceivably, future welders and other craftspeople) an early look at the build. The video below of the 78-meter Amels Full Custom, a.k.a. Project 77, is only 30 seconds long, but it’s an interesting education in construction.
Amels announced the contract in 2017. The megayacht is not part of the Limited Editions series, therefore explaining the Full Custom designation. Styling is from Espen Øino, as is the general arrangement, for an undisclosed customer.
Hull construction is taking place in Romania, where Amels’ parent company, Damen, has a facility. When you watch the video, you’ll see the hull in a handful of sections. These sections of Project 77 are more than bare metal, too. This, therefore, is just one noteworthy aspect of the build. The shipyard is employing modular construction. The practice is commonplace in commercial shipbuilding, since it saves time. Interestingly, even though other yacht builders have super-size superyachts on order, not all follow this same practice.
Yet another interesting aspect of the build you’ll see: dimensions. The sheer size of each module is, in a word, enormous. In addition, in a few camera shots, a handful of decks are visible. While we don’t know the deck grand total for Project 77, we do know she will have enormous volume. Gross tonnage will be 2,850, in fact.
This latter detail also means that the 78-meter Amels Full Custom is the builder’s biggest yacht to date, by volume (gross tonnage). As much as LOA is important, volume is a better indicator of measurement, taking into account all enclosed spaces of a vessel. It impacts manning regulations, safety rules, and more as well. To that end, Project 77 is the largest Amels thus far, eclipsing Here Comes the Sun, larger in LOA but smaller in volume, 2,827 gross tons.
Project 77 has a ways to go before transport to Amels’ facility in The Netherlands for outfitting. Delivery takes place in 2021. By then, she’ll have a foredeck pool and other luxury areas. Stay tuned.
Amels amels-holland.com
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