LIFESTYLE
WHEN LUXURY MEETS THE BLUE SEAS We look into what makes the recently launched Black Pearl sailing yacht so unique
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t this year’s World Superyacht Awards, the ‘Best Sailing Yacht 60m and above’ was a 106.7m, three-masted sailing yacht built by Oceanco called Black Pearl. Not only is she the largest sailing yacht in the world, but her avant-garde innovations - such as the DynaRig system, single level engine room, a hybrid propulsion installation and regeneration mode when under sail – make the Black Pearl a benchmark setter for the next generation of sailing yachts. One of the owner’s goals with Black Pearl was to try and reduce the yacht’s overall environmental impact. During sea trials, under sail power at 14 knots, the yacht regenerated enough energy to power the full house load; thus, obviating the need to run generators while under sail. Black Pearl’s hybrid propulsion system can regenerate energy while also having other onboard systems, such as the waste heat recovery system that result in further gains in overall energy efficiency. “Being an engineer, I have a natural inclination and curiosity about new systems and innovative technology. Eco consciousness is vital for the future of our planet. I wholeheartedly support research that will drive us to more sustainability, and I have ensured that green technology was very much a part of the creation of Black Pearl,” said the unidentified owner of Black Pearl in a statement. “The rig of the Black Pearl is prepared for solar sails to be fitted in the future. The development of solar sails is ongoing, but when they become available, they can be fitted on board, delivering— in addition to the driving force — a large amount of electrical power generated from solar radiation.” The Black Pearl is a realization of the owner’s vision and is the result of an elaborate and successful collaboration on the part of an international group of designers, engineers, naval architects, builders, and project managers. “The owner drove us to new heights,” says Marcel Onkenhout, CEO of Oceanco. “It was an absolute pleasure to work with an owner who was so passionate and dedicated even to the smallest details of the build.” The raison d’etre of the Black Pearl, the DynaRig, is its distinctive three 70-meter carbon masts and sailing system. Despite its size, the Dynarig can be entirely operated by just one person. The sail area is subdivided into smaller lesser-loaded sails, and all 2,900 square meters of sails can be set or furled in 6 minutes by pushing a button. It also played an essential part
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in determining, both external and internal spaces, as the rig’s structure required integrating freestanding masts. “The biggest challenges were to achieve a proper sailing balance and to figure out a system to increase the tacking performance,” says Thys Nikkels, Managing Director, Dykstra Naval Architects, the company responsible for Black Pearl’s naval architecture, DynaRig optimization, and sail plan. “We achieved this by a faster rig rotation and by designing a very responsive rudder.” Ken Freivokhwho, responsible for the design of Black Pearl, said “The challenge was to achieve volume and handsome headroom whilst still retaining a sleek and well-proportioned yacht. To this effect, we developed a high ‘waistline’, effectively bringing the apparent hull up to the upper deck for a significant part of the yacht’s length. The result is continuity of line and long sightlines.” Carlo Nuvolari of Nuvolari Lenard, who was brought in to finesse the layout and take care of the final exterior styling said, “We wanted to ensure that this very large vessel maintained her appearance as a graceful sailing yacht rather than looking like a ship, which can often happen on vessels that are so large.” Valentina Zannier of Nuvolari Lenard and French architect and designer Gerard Villate, teamed up with the owner to design the yacht’s interior, inspired by classical architecture and interspersed with contemporary elements. Luxurious materials such as crystal, mahogany, Elm burr, and ebony inlays, gilded bronze, marble, onyx, and silk were liberally used in the décor. The centrepiece of the yacht’s interior is a multi-level central atrium, including a magnificent stairwell and lift that rises alongside the central mast. This space contributes to a feeling of vertical integration between the decks. Rather than the conventional array of salons at various levels, there is a central, handsome, high ceiling saloon, with a more informal upper deck saloon. In addition, a full-beam dining room can convert to a banquet space, utilizing panoramic balconies on either side. Similarly, a large beach club can deploy landing platforms on either side for full enjoyment of the sea. Oceanco, a leading builder of large custom motor yachts since 1987, has delivered a diverse fleet of world-class yachts. With the delivery of the benchmark-setting Black Pearl, Oceanco has reinforced its position on the global stage.