United Kingdom

Richards Shipbuilders

Explorer yachts for sale under 35m

Discover the SuperYacht Times round-up of 35-metre and under Explorer yachts on the market

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/157942/image/large-d982c530f6f3aae6b912bd9fb49f4d8c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/157942">Superyacht Enigma XK in Antarctica The converted fishing vessel Enigma XK was designed to sail in the roughest seas on the planet, and, when launched in 1988, was originally named Norna. Acquired by her current owner in 2011, she underwent a three-year transformation from rugged government vessel into luxury yacht in La Rochelle, France. Built in 1988 by Richards Shipbuilders, the no-nonsense explorer received, amongst other things, a new interior designed by Vitruvius as well as a new exterior styled by Philippe Briand. Enigma XK's 15-foot draft and range of around 5,000-miles means that she can set off on long explorations far away from supporting infrastructure. She is powered by twin 3,000 horsepower Ruston engines. The yacht works together with EYOS Expeditions to offer the most of every trip for her charter guests.She was recently captured in fast-ice near Port Lockroy in the Antarctic Peninsula, near the Southern tip of South America.By Charl van Rooy, photo by Hilary Herscher

The 71m superyacht Enigma XK in Antarctica

Built in 1988 by Richards Shipbuilders, Enigma XK undertook an extensive refit in 2013 by Atlantic refit centre.Previously named Norna IV, her luxurious new interior was designed by Vitruvius and her new exterior styling is by Philippe Briand.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/148599/image/large-8f46b75ff64e350f1ad7445ebce8f685.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/148599">Enigma XK's interior layout sleeps up to 12 guests in 6 staterooms, including a master suite, 4 double cabins and 1 twin cabin. She is also capable of carrying up to 21 crew on-board to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience. Timeless styling, beautiful furnishings and sumptuous seating feature throughout her living areas to create an elegant atmosphere.Interior Design by Veerle Battiau took maximum advantage of the new spaces, exploiting them to their full with a magnificently glazed private saloon and dining area adjacent to the owner’s suite, as well as a further saloon and dining room.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/148600/image/large-ac12ed188fd38228d45f1fd350d18824.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/148600">Despite a variety of challenges including tightness on headroom within the vessel, little room for air conditioning, the difficulty of the camber often found on working vessels and the immovability of the central stairs, Battiau worked hard to ensure that every detail was carefully planned out in order to achieve the luxury yacht that they are left with today.“It was an extremely challenging project to fit everything you need on-board a superyacht into a former military vessel and keep the original profile of the vessel,” says Stéphane Marcelli, co-founder, Atlantic Refit Center.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/148601/image/large-90e6562cb1a0d59ae3c5d0377025972f.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/148601">With a cruising speed of 16 knots, a maximum speed of 18 knots and a range of 12,000 nm from her 22,0000 litre fuel tanks, she is the perfect combination of performance and luxury and well deserving of her recently attained World Superyacht Award title in the ‘Best Yacht Conversion’ category.By Gemma Fottles