New Zealand

Godfrey Cray Maritime Ltd. 

Dutch shipyard <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/122" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Huisman Shipyard BV (Company)">Royal Huisman</a>, based in Amsterdam, has just announced that i<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Article/53719" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="New order for 65m Royal Huisman ketch Project 408 (2021-09-20 09:30:00 +0200)">ts recently released 65-metre sailing yacht Project 408</a> is to be Aquarius II, a larger sistership of the 56-metre, 2018 launched <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5848" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aquarius56.0m (183'9&quot;)Royal Huisman Shipyard BV2018">Aquarius</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/219070/image/large-3b18b783da40a12b93dbc56a0d8f5e8b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/219070">&nbsp;The new ketch is to be built for the same owner, with the same design team as Aquarius, but at nine metres more in length. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5848" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aquarius56.0m (183'9&quot;)Royal Huisman Shipyard BV2018">Aquarius</a> has had a stellar regatta record since her her first regatta in St Barths in 2019 when she won her class and the owner's brief for the new yacht has been all about performance. She will feature a state-of-the-art carbon rig and integrated sail handling from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/458" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Rondal B.V. (Company)">Rondal</a>, structured luff sails, and a retractable keel for optimal stability under racing conditions.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/51223/image/large-73cf0d015a451c31f0b434a4953ab271.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/51223">“<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5848" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aquarius56.0m (183'9&quot;)Royal Huisman Shipyard BV2018">Aquarius</a> has proved to be an exciting sailboat,” commented her owners, “and she sails gracefully and powerfully. Her layout has exceeded expectations, with ample opportunities for both privacy and socialising. She is a ship for everyone.”Her owners have brought in the original design team, with exterior design from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/230" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Dykstra Naval Architects (Company)">Dykstra Naval Architects</a> and interiors from <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4404" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mark Whiteley Design (Company)">Mark Whiteley Design</a>. <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4840" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Godfrey Cray Maritime Ltd. (Company)">Godfrey Cray</a> is once again joining the team as project manager and all parties have commented on their excitement and pride and being joined together again for another superyacht construction. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/51206/image/large-45bf860a056a3abd46fca144f914d05f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/51206"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/122" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Huisman Shipyard BV (Company)">Royal Huisman</a> CEO Jan Timmerman commented,&nbsp;“We are very honoured with the trust the owners of <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5848" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Aquarius56.0m (183'9&quot;)Royal Huisman Shipyard BV2018">Aquarius</a> have in <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/122" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Huisman Shipyard BV (Company)">Royal Huisman</a>. The talented team is very motivated and delighted to be working on such a prestigious project."<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/51329/image/large-c601396cc942f3496a4028b5a24e068b.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/51329">As a modern classic, the yacht will feature a ketch sail plan and long, elegant lines liker her little sister, but now with expanded exterior spaces and even more volume. In addition the yacht will feature <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/122" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Royal Huisman Shipyard BV (Company)">Royal Huisman</a>'s hybrid power management technologies, benefits of which include 'peak-shaving' for optimum energy efficiency and flexible power generation. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/51209/image/large-ac8034848ead6c49405934330d4108cb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/51209">“Design and engineering preparations for Aquarius II are now well advanced, with construction of the Alustar® aluminium hull and superstructures scheduled to commence this summer.

Royal Huisman's Project 408 unveiled as Aquarius II

Royal Huisman has just announced that Project 408 is to be named Aquarius II.