Aquarius, a dream design–with lines of yesteryear

You’re a very wealthy American couple, you’re into old-fashioned sailing, you want to get your new boat. Who better to turn to than Royal Huisman, the Dutch shipyard that for 130 years, in the hands of the same family, has been producing custom yachts of unparalleled elegance?

POOL OF EXCELLENCE
That, in a nutshell, is the story behind the latest commission received by the shipyard: the 56-meter ketch Aquarius designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and with interiors designed by Mark Whiteley Design. A boat capable of stunning beauty and suitable for purely family use.

STREAMLINED HULL, BETWEEN ANCIENT AND MODERN
“We have created a hull with a streamlined shape, characterized by significant bow and stern momentum.”, says Dykstra’s Thys Nikkels, “classically shaped and able to stand up well to long sailing. The generous sail area is combined with the ketch rig (two masts), the design inspired by the past is however integrated with the more modern fin keel and tapered rudder blade. This results in an all round boat capable of good performance even in light airs.”

RACING AND CRUISING
A boat that would not look out of place in a long range regatta, but which can serve as a true “home on the water” thanks in part to the numerous storage spaces below deck, capable of accommodating a dinghy such as a Laser, windsurfing boards, kayaks, bikes and more.

MASTING STUDIED TO THE MILLIMETER
The masting is carbon: the mast to boom length ratio is designed to maximize sail area while remaining within the constraints of Panamax dimensions (this acronym brings together ships whose dimensions allow passage through the Panama Canal locks: the maximum height is 57.91 m above sea level).

OBSESSIVE ATTENTION TO COMFORT AND DESIGN
Every detail of the design is taken care of: oval hatches are built into the low-profile glossy blue hull, a circular skylight around the mizzenmast provides ample light in the master cabin below, and a sunshade in the central portion of the deck provides even more outdoor comfort by creating a lounging area. There are still many details and solutions under consideration, but for sure the deck will be clear and the boat will be equipped with a 6.2-meter hydrojet tender, a side platform for boarding, and a double wheelhouse.

ALSO A “MEDIA” ROOM AND A GYMNASIUM
The interior will feature traditional and elegant lines, with white wood paneling: the line to follow, after the briefing between the owners and the team, was that of a houseboat. In addition to a master stateroom spread over two levels (with private cockpit and deckhouse), the layout includes a large dock saloon, three guest cabins, an entertainment room (probably with home cinema), and a fully equipped gym. One cabin will be equipped with bunk beds.

The boat is scheduled for delivery in the fall of 2017. Aquarius’ maiden voyage, the shipyard notes, will most likely be to the Caribbean.