The latest yacht concept from British designer Andrew Trujillo is a 35 metre catamaran. Named Solstice, she is conceived to be built in aluminium and also has the possibility to be built of GRP.
With a beam of 21 metres, one of her main characteristics is certainly her vastness, and the space available on the main deck has the potential to become a more impressive space than that available on larger yachts, offering interesting possibilities akin to a residential loft with the large open plan area. The main deck alone boasts 250 sqm and amongst the facilities proposed include sunbeds, al fresco dining and outdoor seating areas.
Solstice accommodates up to eight guests and between seven and fourteen crew members. Guest cabins include a large owner’s suite, two double VIP cabins, and a twin cabin. Sited on the port side of central part of the vessel is the main salon area and a large formal dining area to seat 14, with a buffet area next to it.
The starboard side and part of the centre has a large lounge area, a smaller and more intimate seating space, a library and card tables. The space aft of the dining area has been planned to have either a grand piano or a large billiards /snooker table. The helm and pilothouse area is also placed to starboard with the main helm positioned ahead of the starboard mast base, whilst the chart tables and remainder of the pilothouse is placed aft of the mast.
Perhaps one of the most distinctive features of this cruising catamaran is the twin mast set up. Although the visuals show two large and impressive masts, the advantage of this twin mast setup is that, in theory, as on a ketch or schooner, the masts need not be as large as when using a single mast. Trujillo comments, “Having smaller masts confers a number of advantages in terms of handling and from a structural point of view. Each mast is sited on a pontoon, this means that they are mounted on very rigidly, and the compression loads are channeled on a part of the vessel that has plenty of structure and strength. A further advantage is that the vessel can sail effectively with rigging on just one of the masts, so she has an element of redundancy, which can be a definite bonus on a vessel designed to be capable of long distance and global cruising".
He continues, “She is though, a motor sailor, but one with other modern surprises. She features electric azipods which greatly enhance the maneuverability, but also have been selected on grounds of packaging and space efficiency. She has two generators in the engine rooms mounted transversely. These not only provide the necessary electrical juice to provide propulsion when not under sail, but also deliver the needed power to fulfill the hotel loads of the yacht. This configuration allows the vessel to work as a hybrid and if provision is made by placing banks of batteries, she can operate as an electrically powered vessel, at least partly.”