The global economic downturn has made proposals for 100metre plus yachts seem somewhat out of place; the latest SABDES design doesn’t adhere to the recent trend for ‘longer is better’ Superyachts, and further promotes the push toward ‘green’ luxury yachting. The new 50 metre design rides on the recent surge in Catamaran yacht designs, and when built would become the largest Superyacht Catamaran on the planet.
The choice for a Catamaran platform derived from the need for comfortable accommodations for 10 guests in a yacht with minimal draft allowing the capability to access hard to enter bays and marinas that longer and deeper yachts would find difficult. A major advantage of the twin hulls is in providing superior stability which translates into onboard guest comfort. The twin hulls are highly efficient asymmetrical axebows with a high tunnel between, and will give 20+ knot performance.
The client brief specified to integrate into the accommodations a 'satellite headquarters' to monitor and run his corporation from when in-between breaks from intensive cruising. To achieve this purpose, the upper most deck is dedicated as a virtual conferencing office, with advanced communications and network systems allowing access to land based servers from anywhere on the globe.
The yacht has huge multiple level outdoor entertaining spaces, another prerequisite from the client who wants to optionally be able to cater for business functions onboard, noting business functions will never be quite the same - there's a glass horizon pool 5 metres wide on the main deck. A glass observation window is designed into the floor in the salon where guests may view the marine life below in-between the hulls while moored in crystal clear waters.
The Cat 50 is propelled by hybrid diesel electric technology, a combination of conventional diesel-electric shaft drives with twin cycloidal rudders which in passive mode steer the vessel; in dynamic mode this system allows the Cat 50 to cruise at up to eight knots silently while producing zero emissions by using its Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries for power. Solar panels on the upper deck will be used to put charge back into its Lithium Iron Phosphate battery banks. The diesel generators are being optimised to run on alternative fuels such as biodiesel (cellulosic based), and will have gas particle separators in the exhausts - the main intent being low impact marine friendly operation.
Total power consumption is being kept to a minimum by carefully optimising ship’s systems where possible; for instance the cycloidal rudder system also offers dynamic positioning and efficient roll damping. The yacht will have LED lighting throughout and there will be more reliance on natural cooling to support the air conditioning system. All exterior glass will be coated with an air-cavity paint which will improve the thermal insulation of the interior. Even a gutter is being integrated into the uppermost deck to catch rain water supporting the vessels water storage and extending its cruising independence.
The Cat 50 will be specified to use environmentally friendly materials and construction methodology whenever possible, and aims to be ‘carbon neutral’.
RINA ‘green star’ certification will be sought and carbon offsets will be purchased to equal the amount of carbon dioxide created thru the vessels cruising life, and whenever guests stay onboard. The ultimate goal: a carbon neutral yacht.
The client has started negotiations with a Taiwanese Shipyard as a preferred designer and builder.
SABDES Superyacht Developments
Scott Blee
[email protected]
Ph: +614 1625 2550
http://www.sabdes.com