The Windjammer Project
September, 2008 Back to Corporate News ►
2008 continues to be a busy year for Yachting Partners International and Chairman Alex Braden. Following on from the company’s purchase this summer by the Barry Rogliano Salles Group (BRS) - the world’s fourth largest shipbroker – Yachting Partners International now announces the signing of one of the most impressive new construction projects in its 36-year history.
Royal Huisman is to build, for a repeat Yachting Partners’ client and under YPI Project Management, an 84m square-rigged, three-masted barque presently referred to as ‘The Windjammer Project’. Designed to reflect all the style and glory of similar-sized and rigged ships, the sort owned by Kings and Kaisers more than a century ago, the vessel will be packed with state of the art technology well hidden from view but very much present throughout.
The hull will be built from Alustar aluminium, the masts from aluminium to the height of the crosstrees, then carbon fibre. The yards, also carbon fibre, will feature ingenious in-yard furling for the square sails. This project will also push further the boundaries already pioneered by Royal Huisman in the areas of hybrid electric propulsion, energy generation, conservation and storage. The drive will be toward optimising these technologies in view of a complete diesel electric system.
Further distinguishing features will be an invisible-to-the-eye stern lower section that drops down to create a platform for swimming and watercraft management; gangway-platforms that can be operated either side just aft of amidships; and a funnel that will house a comprehensive array of satcoms. Naval architecture and exterior lines are by Gerard Dykstra & Partners. Interior Design and input on exterior detailing will be carried out by Andrew Winch Designs with a brief to re-create the old-world charm and bespoke luxury so inspired by the opulent era of early Trans-Atlantic ocean liners. R&D and the construction process are expected to take six years, with completion scheduled for 2014.
For more details and photos please contact: Yachting Partners International Mark Duncan
Tel: +33 (0) 4 93 34 01 00 Email: mark.duncan@ypigroup.com
