UPDATE, SEPTEMBER 15, 2021: Rob Doyle Design and Van Geest Design now have a sub-500-gross-ton version of Project Fury. She’s the Fury 500, coming in at 499 gross tons. The designers assert that she’ll be the only sailing superyacht of this volume with a full-beam main-deck owners’ suite, akin to large motoryachts.
Read on for our original article.
What happens when two design studios are not content with the status quo in sailing superyachts, meaning limited volume for performance-oriented craft? They come up with Project Fury. Rob Doyle Design and Van Geest Design assert that this 207-footer (63-meter) has 40 percent more volume than current sailing superyachts of her size, therefore more luxury, plus “fanatical” weight reduction to go faster.
Specifically, the studios say Project Fury has a gross tonnage approaching 705. This, compared to 500 gross tons for 197- to 207-footers (60- to 63-meters). The big bump up in volume comes courtesy of a full-beam main-deck design, spanning 43’8” (13.35 meters). How? “The side decks are the most expensive square meterage space that an owner and guest rarely get to use while sailing,” the designers explain. “We have given the area back to the owner and guests.” The sail-handling equipment typically found on the side decks instead goes on the Space Deck, a.k.a. the Sky Deck. It houses pods with nav stations, plus captive winches and other gear. Guests can sun, lounge, and dine on the Space Deck, too. However, their leisure areas are separate from the sail-handling and overall control areas, for everyone’s safety.
For performance, Project Fury saves weight by eschewing roller furling booms and other equipment that the designers deem not necessary. The studios especially eliminated equipment that makes yachts overly complicated. Plus, they determined energy recovery can come from the propulsion system, impacting gensets and other supply systems. Furthermore, they specify aluminum for the hull and carbon fiber for the superstructure. A race-boat rig package and foils additionally boost performance.
Of course, all is for naught if Project Fury lacks luxury. The full-beam master suite is nearly 1,023 square feet (92 square meters) on the main deck. It feels even more spacious due to full-beam glass facing the bow, quite unexpected. Also unexpected: two balconies and access to two foredeck pools that converts from tender bays.
With accommodations for 10 friends and family, the sailing superyacht also has a 1,399-square-foot (130-square-meter) saloon. Full-height glass makes a breakfast area here more welcoming. The galley, meanwhile, is more of a show kitchen, on the main deck as well. Add in an aft toy garage below decks for surfboards, diving gear, and more, and Project Fury might just be better named Project Passion.
On a related note, Rob Doyle Design and Van Geest Design says they’re working on even larger versions, exceeding 2,200 gross tons, due to requests.
Rob Doyle Design robdoyledesign.com
Van Geest Design vangeestdesign.com
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