"Ambitious and Technically Complex” JFA Yachts 50M Explorer Yacht Splashes

While JFA Yachts has taken on a variety of power and sail yachts over the years, it says its latest superyacht is quite an accomplishment. The JFA Yachts 50m Explorer yacht “marks a new milestone,” according to Frédéric Jaouen, the president. She features construction techniques other shipyards don’t practice, along with an operational package all intended to reduce fuel consumption and be even more environmental-minded.

A client seeking a fully custom yacht approached the French shipyard a few years ago. Although other builders use “Explorer” in their project names, in this case, the owner definitely had worldwide cruising in mind. Additionally, efficiency while underway and at anchor were important. Thanks to Humphreys Yacht Design, the JFA Yachts 50m Explorer yacht has a fast-displacement hull. Additionally, while the hull is aluminum, the superstructure combines aluminum and composite construction. This may sound unusual, but it’s not new for JFA Yachts. In fact, the Brittany-based builder has employed aluminum and composite for its Long Island catamaran series. It continues using the materials together, too, with an 87-foot (26.5-meter) Long Island catamaran in the shipyard being a current example.

Yet another efficiency-focused feature of the JFA Yachts 50M Explorer yacht is the propulsion system. It unites twin MTU engines with electric motors. The flexibility of the system allows silent cruising at low speeds, for instance. Furthermore, solar panels and a battery bank permit the megayacht to avoid using gensets at anchor. This in turn means sound- and vibration-free periods with friends and family. Also of note, the owner requested a station-keeping system like dynamic positioning, to avoid having to deploy the anchor.

Built to Lloyd’s classification, the yacht has accommodations for 10 in the owner’s party, along with a captain and eight crewmembers. No specifics are available on the décor or interior arrangement, though.

“This ambitious and technically complex project embodies our expertise in aluminium construction combined with composite materials and state-of-the-art hybrid propulsion,” Jaouen says. He further considers her “an exceptional vessel.”

The owner’s plans for global cruising, with two sizable tenders stowed on the aft deck, will kick off in a few months. Although JFA Yachts hasn’t disclosed full performance figures, it anticipates the yacht exceeding a 5,000-nautical-mile range at 12 knots.

Humphreys Yacht Design humphreysdesign.com

JFA Yachts jfa-yachts.com