Project Sapphire was designed by Tim Gilding Marine Design for three major goals. The first, to carry the overall aesthetic of an explorer-style yacht, whilst remaining sleek and minimalist in form and detail. The second, to be light and airy, with a spacious and relaxed interior that allows easy indoor-outdoor flow, and, third, to be capable of operating efficiently and comfortably on long ocean passages, using hybrid propulsion and energy-recovery systems, whilst keeping guests safe in the some of the more treacherous waters of the world.
The resulting design is 73 metre displacement motoryacht Project Sapphire. The long, straight lines with plumb bow and minimalist exterior address this first criteria. The aesthetic is long and sleek but carries the raw, functional forms of trawlers and explorers.
To satisfy the second goal, the vast expanses of glass and overhanging wings on the salon deck flood the enormous central atrium with natural light. The area is immensely spacious and decorated in a relaxed, comfortable fashion.
Addressing the final criteria is a long slender hullform with plumb bow and semi-bulbous bow sections, creating a fast hull with low resistance and dampened pitching moment. This is all driven by a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system given an 8,000nm range at 18 knots.
A number of external features have also been designed to minimise the threat of piracy, including minimal access points and lack of external stairways. Project Sapphire has been designed to use Tim Gilding Marine Design Aperto 8.5 metre open tender and Barrel-Back 8.3 metre tender designs.