Design number: 216 Year: 2021
50m full-custom, high endurance explorer
This world-cruising motor yacht will be capable of sustained periods of self-sufficiency and operation in remote areas.
Read the latest Press Release here: Humphreys 50m Customer Explorer Press Release Summer 2025
Naval Architecture: Humphreys Yacht Design
Exterior Design: Humphreys Yacht Design
Interior Design: m2atelier
Builder: JFA Yachts
Design notes
The client’s brief included a requirement for enhanced, near 360-degree visibility from interior and exterior spaces on the main, upper and bridge decks, which has driven a single-level deck design, relatively low forward freeboard, and large panels of glazing in the superstructure.
The Owner’s Suite is situated on the upper deck and features a private lounge and office area. Outside there is a large lounge area with Jacuzzi and full exterior walkway.
There are four guest cabins on the lower deck, accommodating 10 in total, with further quarters for a complement of 10 crew.
Maintaining crew and guest separation was another key aspect of the brief and resulted in the incorporation of a centreline walkway on the tank deck to allow crew direct access to the engine room from the forward crew area, which is an unusual and technically challenging feature on a light displacement 50-metre yacht.
The galley with adjacent cold and dry storage, the main saloon and dining area are located on the main deck. The exterior of the main deck features a sofa and area for sun beds, as well as a bar with integrated BBQ.
The Bridge is located in the top tier of the superstructure with commanding views and uninterrupted 360-degree visibility. Wing stations are located on both sides of the Bridge Deck in addition to a full exterior walkway and external seating area.
The aft deck stowage area has space for multiple tenders and water toys. A 9.25-metre tender is launched via a dedicated C-davit to ensure ease and speed of launch in a seaway, whilst a Palfinger PK32080M deck crane provides additional, multi-functional lifting capability with reach extending over the aft deck, stern platform, engine room and lazarette spaces. A concealed Cramm foredeck crane provides launch and recovery for the rescue boat and jet skis.
Significant optimisation went into the refinement of the fast-displacement hull form, to ensure all performance, seakeeping, manoeuvrability, vessel motion and comfort criteria could be exceeded. Extensive in-house studies and high resolution RansCFD analysis, working with our project partner Cape-Horn Engineering, were undertaken, culminating in scale model testing and further design refinement. Throughout the design process, particular attention was paid to analysing vessel motions and studying the effect of various pitch damping and roll stabilisation devices.
The design utilises a parallel hybrid propulsion system with twin shaft drives, powered by MTU 12V 2000 M72 Diesel engines, coupled to ZF 3351 PTI/PTO gearboxes and 290kW Danfoss electric motors. A maximum speed of 20kts will be achievable in hybrid boost mode, and a range of over 5000nm at the economical 12-knot cruising speed.
The yacht is equipped with solar panels and a high-capacity battery system, enabling silent, emissions-free operation for extended periods when at anchor or in harbour, and when low-speed cruising. Soft mountings are incorporated throughout to ensure exceptionally low levels of noise and vibration for a yacht of its kind.
Stabilisation comes in the form of a single Veem VG140SD gyro and a pair of CMC LR170 zero-speed fin stabilisers, while transom mounted CMC intruders allow enhanced running trim control at higher displacement speeds.
The hull is constructed in aluminium to help achieve light displacement targets, whilst the upper tiers of the superstructure are constructed from infused GRP composite to accomplish displacement and centre of gravity targets.
To see the full video of the hull turn at Van Noorloos in Holland, please click here
