Royal Huisman kicks off build for 65m racing yacht

To win the build, the shipwright, along with Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whitely Design, had to design a concept for the as-yet unsighted superyacht – currently called Project 408 –  that was signed off by its new owner who, perhaps unsurprisingly, wishes to remain anonymous.

The new superyacht – measuring 212 feet in the old scale – will feature a hull made from magnesium-blended aluminium alloy, a carbon fibre rig and an integrated sailing system from performance yacht specialists Rondal.

Part of the brief for building this yacht is that its owners want to “enhance winning potential on the superyacht regatta circuit”.

Royal Huisman said limited information about the build was available, but it would update the world on the new yacht’s progress “in the months ahead and upon the completion of major phases throughout the duration of the project”.

Superyacht owners gather at a number of locations around the world each year to race each other in their boats. One of the races is the New Zealand Millenium Cup, which is scheduled to take place in February next year.

Once built, the new superyacht will dwarf its competitors that took part in last year’s race series, including the 56-metre ketch Aquarius, the 46-metre Ganesha and Scorpione of London, race series debutant the 43-metre Ravenger, and the 34-metre Baiurdo VI and Nilaya.

Royal Huisman said the build effort was now focused on “multidisciplinary design and engineering”. 

“This will bring the project to readiness for the next big step: the start of the construction at Royal Huisman’s new-build facilities in Vollenhove, The Netherlands,” it said.