Huisman's 'Beast'

With the brief to build "an edgy, innovative weapon", Royal Huisman revealed more details of its 58-metre sloop at the recent Monaco Yacht Show.

The much-anticipated 58-metre (190-feet) sloop has been officially revealed at the Monaco Yacht Show by Alice Huisman and Ed Dubois.

The client’s brief was to “Build me a beast. This has to be an edgy and innovative weapon; fast and furious.”

Dubois Naval Architects and Royal Huisman are delighted to have been appointed to interpret this exciting owner’s brief for what can only be described as a high performance, edgy and innovative sloop.

The design is new in every sense of the word and will embody the past experience of both designer and yard, whilst encouraging advances in all the disciplines required to design and build a yacht of such stature.

The result is a dramatic sheer line and sculpted bow that offers innovative lines combined with seaworthiness, while a moulded glass superstructure and crisp stern shape add further to the look of what is an inherently progressive design. The slender, easily driven hull form will be refined with extensive tank testing due to start in September at the Wolfson Unit in Southampton, UK, using a very large 6-metre/20-foot model.

“The bigger the model, the more accurate the results, because you can scale everything except the viscosity of water,” says Dubois. “Our aim is to reduce the wetted surface to minimise drag, while still retaining good stability. The hull lines will be finalised by November following the results of the tank tests.”

CFD analysis of a high-span lifting keel and the configuration of the carbon fibre rudder arrangement is also under way. A 71-metres/233-feet mast by Rondal (like the hatches and reel winches), high-aspect sail plan and a powerful square-top mainsail – “the most efficient sail plan we can devise for this size of yacht” – will add the final measure of horsepower that will be tamed by twin helm stations, notable for Royal Huisman’s ability to engineer these without power assistance.

On deck, wide teak planking with off-white seams will downplay a hidden crane, tender garage and large swim spa forward, whilst aft a sun bed connects to a beach deck with articulated swim platform.

The eclectic yet relaxing accommodations comprises a master ‘apartment’ that includes a gym (with a large viewing hatch in the hull to admit fresh air and natural light), sauna and study/library as well two guest staterooms and large open main deck salon with attached outdoor seating (the owner’s gym and study can also be converted into additional accommodations).

Accent pieces and exotic finishes will be created in the workshop of London-based Rick Baker Ltd. Having been involved in some of the most high-profile projects on the planet, The Light Corporation has been asked to artfully shed light on the project.

“Given their reputation for excellence, Royal Huisman was the owner’s choice of shipyard from the very start,” says Ed Dubois. “This is a thought-provoking design that does not take for granted the marriage of high performance, style and comfort. She’s a design that marks a fresh and progressive turning point in our long and successful history.

“This is some yacht, inspired by a client looking for the next new, new thing; a dream project for both designer and shipyard.”

“A great client, a great design team, and a great project,” confirms Alice Huisman.

“Everything about this project has our name on it: Royal Huisman is the perfect fit for every aspect of the project and the requirements to build it.”

“The owner is a highly experienced yachtsman and offshore racing sailor,” says Ed Dubois. “He wanted a high-performance, go-anywhere cruising yacht that not only looks excitingly different, but is also beautifully built and luxuriously comfortable.”

Keel laying is scheduled for January 2015 with delivery in the spring of 2017.

*Original story Ocean Magazine
*Photos Royal Huisman

Contact: www.royalhuisman.com