murdoch yacht sarissa

Murdoch's superyacht 'Sarissa' arrives

Dutch carbon-fibre performance sloop with cockpit swimming pool.

Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch’s stunning new carbon-fibre superyacht Sarissa has arrived in Sydney in time for summer. Designed by Bill Tripp and built by Dutch yard Vitters, the cutting-edge yacht was two years in the making and is the largest carbon-fibre sloop built to date in the Netherlands.

Vitters Shipyard's website describes  Sarissa as a spectacular 42.6 m carbon globetrotter and performance sloop with a fully modern hull shape, sail plan, and foils. 

Hydraulic sailing and deck systems are said to provide improved reaction speed, load and stiffness to safely facilitate the sailing performance this modern and technical yacht was designed for.

Other custom technical features are an in-house developed hydraulic steering system with rudder feedback, as well as a unique system of back stays and running stays to operate both her cruising and racing sail configurations. The yacht has a lifting keel.

The mainsheet has been placed on an arch spanning the cockpit to keep the deck clear, while the aft cockpit can be transformed into a swimming pool for the kids.

Sarissa's design was guided by close client input and involvement, says Vitters, adding that the yacht will be used to sail all over the world with the family in tow and will take part in the established superyacht regattas.

The layout and deck plan emphasise a clean and modern look, while the family friendly layout below decks boasts a full-beam after stateroom, three guests cabins and three crew cabins.

The stunning interior is by Rhoades Young Design Ltd using a combination of limed oak, dark Italian walnut, Indian rosewood, carbon, dark leather and brushed stainless steel.

Finished in swordfish blue Alexseal paint, with a Ribling 555 tender in the 'garage', the 163 tonne Sarissa has a 56m carbon mast and will be hard to miss moored at Wooloomooloo in Sydney’s CBD.

Meantime, father Rupert reportedly listed his 184ft yacht Rosehearty , built by Perini Navi in Italy in 2006, for sale in September this year for $29.7 million. This followed his divorce from wife Wendi Deng.

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SARISSA: SAILING YACHT OF THE YEAR

She also became the winner of “Best Sailing Yacht of 40m and above”. Congratulations to her owner and of course an honor for her design and build team with this important recognition for her 6th and 7th award this year.

Sarissa represents the next chapter in the owners’ love of sailing and passion for family adventures and exploration. Their first 43m / 140ft Sarissa opened their eyes to what else was possible. In 2012 the owners started dreaming about today’s  Sarissa, which was launched in 2023 has become 17 metres / 55 feet longer. The challenge was to envision a yacht that was a step up from one they already loved. The owners spent many years developing her, and it is not by accident that the shipyard and designers achieved spectacular results.

From the report by the jury: “Three sailing yachts, including one inventive catamaran and two monohulls built by Royal Huisman [Nilaya and Sarissa], were named nominees in this category. […] Both Royal Huisman builds were deemed ‘superb boats’ by the judges – but Sarissa stood out for being ‘more exciting’ and was described by the judges as an ‘astonishing boat’.

Naval architect Malcolm McKeon was contacted to develop a performance sloop for experienced owners who were looking for a successor to their previous yacht by the same name. Sarissa had to be fast and fun to sail, and manual steering was a must so the power could be felt when manning the helm. Sarissa’s 76-metre-tall modulus carbon mast features aero carbon rigging and flies the largest square-top sail in the world.

With a focus on weight savings and corrosion prevention, carbon fibre was used for the superstructure, hull doors, deck furniture, hatches, mainsheet arch, sail storage drums, steering consoles and captive winches. All the stanchions are titanium and lifelines are lightweight Dyneema. A multi-faceted approach to eco-friendly cruising includes wind-driven propulsion, hydro generators, waste heat recovery and wastewater treatment. Most notably, she has an advanced […] propulsion system, and Royal Huisman installed the first forward-facing retractable electric azipod propulsion for redundancy, efficiency and improved performance under sail. Inside is a chic, flowing interior by Liaigre. Each cabin is unique, corridors gently curve, stairs are set off the centreline, and the hull shape is visible so you truly feel you’re on a sailing boat. As one of the judges said, “Guillaume Rolland from Liaigre is not just a designer, but also a sailor thus understanding life on board of sailboats.”

The judges’ comments about why Sarissa is the Sailing Yacht of the Year winner: “…it was Sarissa, with her groundbreaking propulsion system, state-of-the-art sails and rig and exquisite interiors by Liaigre, that almost unanimously won out among the judges for the honour of Sailing Yacht of the Year. The high-performance sloop represents many firsts for her builder and the sailing superyacht fleet writ large.  All […] innovation, along with her clean lines, holistic design, organically flowing interior and creative layout with an abundance of exterior living spaces not usually found on a sailing boat made Sarissa a clear choice for Sailing Yacht of the Year.”

Earlier this year Sarissa was rewarded with five major awards at Boat International’s Design & Innovation Awards. She was the winner of various sailing Yachts categories (Best Exterior Design, Best Interior Design, Best Naval Architecture) as well as the Eco and Innovation of the Year Award. Learn more about Sarissa: link

It is not easy to be objective about the quality of your own work. Organisations such as the World Superyacht Awards and their expert, independent juries help to provide an unbiased measure of achievement. Jan Timmerman, CEO of Royal Huisman: “On behalf of our team I would like to say that we are very happy and honoured with these awards. At the same time and although we have received more than a fair share of such recognition, we are not planning to lean back following this success: we will never forget that a shipyard is only as good as its next boat.” Overview of all awards in recent years:  link

Murdoch superyacht visits Mallorca

A record summer for superyachts in the balearics, philip green's superyacht docks in palma, mallorca is home-from-home for the top five super yachts.

The S/Y Sarissa off Mallorca. | M Stadler

The summer may well be over but the superyachts are still visiting Mallorca . The l atest is 42.6m Carbon yacht S/Y Sarissa which is owned by Lachlan Murdoch, the Executive Chairman of Fox and News Corp and the son of Rupert Murdoch.

This impressive yacht is powered by Caterpillar engines, giving her a maximum speed of 13 knots. Her cruising speed is a comfortable 12 knots, and she has a range of more than 3,000 nautical miles . The Sarissa is equipped with the latest technology, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable ride for all aboard.

The interior of the Sarissa is just as impressive as her exterior. She can comfortably accommodate 12 guests and a crew of 12. The interior is designed with luxury and comfort in mind, featuring high-end finishes, comfortable furnishings, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems .

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The cabins are spacious and well-appointed, providing a relaxing retreat for guests to unwind after a day of cruising the open waters, according to SuperYachtFan.

Rupert Murdoch announced in September that he was stepping down from his current role at Fox Corporation and News Corp. He will handed the reins to his son, Lachlan, who will take over as sole chairman of both companies, Murdoch said in a memo to employees.

“ My father firmly believed in freedom ,” Murdoch wrote, “and Lachlan is absolutely committed to the cause.” Lachlan, 51, was born in London in 1971 . He was raised in New York with his older sister Elisabeth and younger brother James.

According to a 1998 profile of Lachlan, he sometimes woke up before dawn as a child to have breakfast with his father before he left for business meetings. He would also stay up late listening to Rupert talk business strategy at the dinner table “with famous guests,” according to the profile.

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To be able to write a comment, you have to be registered and logged in

sorry guys...but the sarissa on the photo seems to be the 59 m from 2023 (your description shows the older one (2016?). btw: range on sailing yachts: infinite ;-)

@Brett Dennis my thoughts exactly as soon as I read this piece. Daily Bulletin nautical journalism .

It's a sail boat not a motorboat, who cares how the engine performs, give us sailing figures please.

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60m Royal Huisman sailing yacht Sarissa begins sea trials

The 59.7-metre sailing yacht Sarissa has left the Royal Huisman yard to begin sea trials in the North Sea. Also known as Project 404, the project has been kept tightly under wraps since it was first announced in January 2019. 

Design on the custom build comes from Malcolm McKeon and Christian Liaigre .

The high-performance sloop had her hull turned in September 2020 at the shipyard's headquarters in Vollenhove with her owners present.  She hit the water earlier in 2023 and had her masts stepped shortly after.

Project 404 was constructed in Alustar aluminium with a reverse bow and flush deck. Other details revealed during the turning of the hull include a large transom opening giving access to a beach club, a lazarette amidships and oversized portholes.

Sarissa features a low-profile carbon composite superstructure with an integrated sloop rig package from Southern Spars complemented by Rondal captive winches. Designed with the race circuit in mind, the yacht will also feature a lifting keel, retractable propulsion and twin carbon rudders to maximise performance.

Modern technology will be at the forefront of this new build with Royal Huisman promising to leave “no technological stone unturned” in the pursuit of “a sleek and powerful sailing yacht of iconic, imaginative design which will marry unprecedented performance with luxurious and innovative amenities."

Accommodation on board Project 404 is for 12 guests and 10 crew.

Other projects currently underway at Royal Huisman include the highly the 47-metre Nilaya , which was recently christened in Amsterdam. 

More about this yacht

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Inside Lachlan Murdoch’s new $30 million TOY as the News Corp heir waits in Sydney for builders to finish his SECRET $175 million superyacht

• Lachlan Murdoch's latest fleet addition has arrived in Australia for the first time
• The mogul added the pricy $30 million vessel to his ever-expanding armada
• He's waiting for the completion of his next monstrous $175 million superyacht  
• Murdoch might be hoping for calmer waters as Fox employees come under fire 

By Max Aldred For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 03:03 EDT, 23 May 2022 | Updated: 03:03 EDT, 23 May 2022

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Lachlan Murdoch's $30 million superyacht has arrived in Australia for the first time as he and the family drop anchor in Sydney and await the completion of their far pricier cruiser.

The News Corp co-chairman bought the classic fixer-upper earlier this year but has only just docked the vessel in Australian waters, keeping it at Rozelle Bay in the city, where Mr Murdoch, his wife Sarah and three children now live. 

He bought the 42-metre Feadship yacht for the huge sum while he waits for his secretive latest purchase to be built, a 59.7m Royal Huisman sloop, believed to be worth £100million (A$175million).

Dropping anchor: the travelling tycoon's yacht arrived in Sydney as he and his family settle into cosmopolitan Sydney life

As they settle into Sydney life, Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch added a $30 million classic yacht to their fleet while they waited the arrival of their secretive $175million superyacht. The couple here pictured at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscars Party

Splashing cash: The yacht is docked in Rozelle Bay, but the couple have spent millions on a boat shed for the next addition to their fleet

Sun-deck: The Scandinavian style boat has an emphasis on light interiors, windows and outdoor living spaces, including the covered al fresco dining area and massive couch on top deck 

The 1954 refurbished motor yacht, Istros, has accomodation for nine guests in five different cabins.

The boat also features crew quarters for up to ten staff. 

On deck, the boat boasts a sofa and deck chairs, while further along the vessel is a dining table that caters to alfresco eating. 

Jumping ship: The media mogul will use the $30 million yacht but will likely favour his next vessel, a $175 million superyacht

Down in the doldrums: The boat was at one stage completely rusted and lying abandoned in a shipyard, before a massive overhaul saw the boat win awards and fetch a huge price on market

Theseus' ship: The 42.1m classic had its interior, exterior, and engine rooms completely gutted in the 2010s and is unrecognisable from the 1950s boat that was once left in disrepair

The sloop has been entirely remodelled, including a full overhaul of its interior, upgrades to the external fittings and gutting of the engine room.

It was little more than a rusting hulk when it was rescued from a Maltese port in 2015, before it was salvaged and rebuilt. 

Dutch shipyard De Vries Lentsch delivered the yacht in the 1950s but Van Geest design made the interior upgrades in 'family oriented, sunny Scandinavian style'.

However, it was not all smooth sailing with financial difficulties stopping progress on the yacht until 2018.

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The upgrades were then completed by Feadship in 2020.

Istros has won awards for its remodelling and rebuilding with many leasing the ship while she was on the charter market.

That was until Mr Murdoch snapped her up in 2021. 

The boat joins an extensive Murdoch flotilla including the Sarissa, which they paid $30million for, but is now believed to be available for charter.

Lachlan Murdoch is an enthusiastic sailor, having raced his 24-metre sail yacht Swan 82, Ipixuna, at Hamilton Island in early 2021.

He also entered the Sydney to Hobart back in 1997. 

Mooring up: The ship sits between other multi million dollar yachts in the Sydney Harbour near where he now lives

Won't go down with his ship: Lachlan Murdoch left America for Sydney in 2021 after republicans lost power in America

Last year, the couple paid $38 million for a boat shed at Point Piper after relocating to Sydney to live at their Bellevue Hill compound, Le Manoir.

It was believed they would host a delayed 90th birthday celebration for family mogul Rupert Murdoch this year, however the News Corp chairman and CEO has now turned 91.

Lachlan and Sarah Murdoch now own properties in Sydney, Los Angeles and Colorado, as well as a $90 million Gulfstream G650 private jet.

Lachlan uses the private jet to regularly fly between the US and Australia for work. 

Rupert Murdoch (centre) is pictured with his son Lachlan (right) and daughter-in-law Sarah in Sun Valley, Idaho, USA

Rupert Murdoch (left) is pictured speaking with his eldest son Lachlan in Sun Valley, Idaho, USA in 2018

The Murdochs have three children - sons Kalan Alexander, 17, Aidan Patrick, 15, and daughter Aerin Elisabeth, 11 - who all attend private schools across Sydney.

Previous reports have suggested it's not always been smooth sailing for the family of five. 

Last year, sources claimed the family moved to Australia when the US political climate shifted after Joe Biden was elected the US president. 

The pro-Republican family's children apparently experienced 'a rough' time, Nine newspapers reported. 

Share or comment on this article: Lachlan Murdoch's new superyacht docks in Sydney | Photos

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