The bigger the owners’ party, the bigger the yacht. So, too, the bigger the crew head count. The trouble is, the operational costs and the lack of intimacy are big issues for really big yachts. Therefore, Royal Huisman proposes Lotus. It’s is a two-yacht package, where the layout and function for each dovetail with the other.
Royal Huisman teased the projects over the summer, providing silhouette sketches and just a few details. Interestingly, the team doesn’t consider Lotus a primary sailing yacht with a shadow motoryacht. Rather, Lotus is one project with two integrated vessels. It’s in recognition of how owners and guests may wish to pursue different activities simultaneously that otherwise wouldn’t be possible to fulfill with one yacht.
The Lotus sailing superyacht measures 289 feet (88 meters), with a 48-foot (14.6-meter) beam. Styling comes from ThirtyC Yacht Design. She’s further fitted with the famed DynaRig from Dykstra Naval Architects. This means pushbutton operation of the masts and sails. It also means a smaller crew complement, just 14. Since no lines or winches are on deck, space frees up for your and your guests’ enjoyment, 10 of you in total. As an extra benefit, the masts include solar panels, feeding batteries and thereby lessening fuel reliance. In fact, Royal Huisman asserts that the Lotus sailing superyacht can depart her slip without using an engine.
Other notable aspects for the 1,600-gross-ton sailing superyacht: a bow pool, a spacious sundeck, several alfresco dining areas, and a beach club. Lest we forget, she can also have an alfresco theater, using her forward sails as movie screens.
The Lotus explorer motoryacht, meanwhile, measures 230 feet (70 meters), with a 42-foot (12.9-meter) beam. Abundant tender, toy, and support-equipment stowage exists, as do accommodations for 10 in your full party (including you) and 18 crew. This allows her to operate as a megayacht in her own right. So, for instance, if the Lotus sailing yacht is racing in a regatta, this motoryacht can be the mothership. Alternately, some friends and family can go swimming or diving from the sailing yacht at anchor, while the motoryacht takes the rest of you exploring nearby shores. Regardless, she, too, comes from the drawing boards of ThirtyC Yacht Design.
With a 1,300-gross-ton displacement, the motoryacht, like the sailing yacht, is yours to personalize. Choose to have cabins for harbor pilots, tutors, nature guides, and/or others. Keep autos, helicopters, personal subs, or whatever tickles your fancy aboard as well.
Finally, both yachts should see hull speeds of 20 knots.
Royal Huisman royalhuisman.com
Dykstra Naval Architects dykstra-na.com
ThirtyC Yacht Design thirtyc.com
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