Kaze: the new superketch (60 meters) by Philippe Briand

Philippe Briand presents his New 60-meter ketch concept, Kaze (wind in Japanese). A yacht for sailing in comfort, without complications. A boat of sleek, balanced lines with a low-profile deckhouse, also capable of passing under the Bridge of the Americas over the Panama Canal.

Kaze the new ketch by Philippe Briand

With over 12,000 boats built to date (including Wally, Perini, CNB, Janneau, etc.), Philippe Briand can be considered the most prolific yacht designer of our time. “There are so many good reasons to choose ketch gear over sloop gear,” Briand said. “Although we can design and engineer large sloops to cope with the massive loads of rigging, they are still bulky and uncomfortable boats to sail with. Where is the pleasure, the joy, the accessibility? If you want a yacht to be comfortable to live in and sail on, it makes sense to start with a ketch design, for a 499-ton“.

The two principles of Kaze: comfort…

There are two main principles in this latest project. Most important is creating the volume for living spaces of majestic proportions, allowing the owner to engage in all the activities he or she might want on a private shore residence. With its volume of 499 gross tons, Kaze will allow for an incredible lifestyle. “The wider beam aft of the hull not only provides stability, but also allows for an exceptional beach club size. In fact, it is comparable to many motor yachts, offering a truly luxurious experience on board“, Briand adds. “The stern bulwarks descend to form wide terraces, while a huge platform hidden in the transom extends to the waterline. Steps built into the hydraulic platform mechanism help turn these extra spaces into a rich playground by the sea“.

..without complications

Efficient hull design was the other key objective. A yacht whose sleek hull shape allows her to sail well even in light winds will seldom need to go motoring, greatly reducing the noise and smell of the running engine.

Kaze is self-sufficient

Under sail, Kaze will also be able to generate its own renewable electricity by allowing water moving past the hull to rotate the propeller. This quietly spins an alternator installed in line with the drive shaft and is capable of pumping dozens of kilowatts day and night. In fact, the boat is supposed to be self-sufficient in sailing energy. Large battery banks could store excess energy during the day to enable silent operation of anchor services.

From concept to realization

Kaze has already gone well beyond the ideation stage, with technical input from a number of key experts. Southern Spars recommended specifications for the three rig options, ranging from classic to high performance. Francesca Muzio of FM architecture designed the interiors that perfectly match Briand’s exterior lines. And there is interest from some of the world’s most prestigious shipyards as construction partners.

James Barbaro