Saturday, October 18th, the 46th unit in the Perini Navi fleet was launched: SY Baracuda, a 50m aluminium ketch. Designed by Perini Navi’s in-house naval architects together with New Zealander Ron Holland, SY Baracuda features many important project innovations.
The aluminium hull is marked by an aggressive, aerodynamic line, emphasised by an unconventional colour: metallic grey with shades of gold, which combines with the silvery reflections of the superstructure. This contemporary appeal is also echoed in the portholes, which have been revisited in an unusual rectangular shape.
Thanks to its canting keel, draught passes from 4m (13ft) to 9.7m (32ft). The transom door can be almost entirely opened and transformed into a large swimming platform, which can be reached thanks to a large staircase which, in turn, can rise thanks to hydraulic pistons, allowing for an easy access to the stern garage for the tender and other water toys.
Shades of silver also for the two aluminium masts, main mast (56.7m, 186ft), and mizzen mast (42.9m, 140ft), as well as for the carbon fibre boom, all designed and built by Perini Navi's Mast Division team. The 1,416m² (15,241ft²) sail area will be clothed in flaming purple, a chromatic effect providing a strong visual impact bound to surprise all traditionalists.
Interiors, on the other side, are based on extreme simplicity and clear lines. Conceived British architect John Pawson, guru of modern minimalism, interior design is based on the concepts of light, space and proportion.
Photo by G. Sargentini.