37 metre High Performance Motor Yacht begins construction

— 19 Jul 2005


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Humphreys Yacht Design has announced that work has begun on the construction of a 37-metre (122 feet) High Performance Motor Yacht at McMullen & Wing in Auckland, NZ.

Designed as a long-distance, ocean-going yacht, the hull and superstructure are built substantially from carbon composite which, when combined with three MTU 16v 4000 M90 series engines and Rolls Royce Kamewa jet drives, are designed to achieve speeds in the 60 knot range.

To allow a vessel of this size to travel at such speeds, a wide range of issues had to be anticipated and addressed. One important factor concerned the centre of gravity, which in high-speed motorboats needs to be situated nearer the stern than in displacement craft. Following many months of computer modelling and high-speed tank testing with the Wolfson Unit, and utilising their long experience in designing racing sail boats, Humphreys have incorporated an innovative forward water ballast tank to enable the moving of the centre of gravity forward when the yacht is travelling at slow speeds. Being able to optimise the trim at low and high speeds will help maximise both range and performance.

At the owner’s request the exterior styling has been kept deliberately understated, achieving a workmanlike, even commercial, look that belies the yacht’s capabilities; making her truly a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Weight control and management is critical for a vessel of this type and forms a central principle at all stages of the construction process.

The yacht has been designed to accommodate up to 9 guests in comfort, and will have a trans-oceanic range with 55,000 litres of fuel. Despite her size she will draw just 1.25 metres and is expected to displace only 94 tonnes in her high-speed mode.

The structural design was by High Modulus. Such a technically sophisticated project ensured that the Humphreys brief required design to a higher engineering threshold than would normally be required by the yacht classification society Germanischer Lloyd. All interior design work was undertaken by Humphreys Yacht Design, in continuous liaison with the client, to attain a fresh, open simplicity that will be particularly attractive in tropical and sub-tropical waters.


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