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Aquarius: Modern classic masterpiece makes for a surprisingly sensible superyacht
- August 27, 2020
Named for the sign of astrological quality, this stunning 186ft world-cruising ketch is the result of serious sailors challenging the best of the best to produce something elegant, fast and seaworthy. Rupert Holmes reports
A demanding brief for Aquarius from experienced sailors has produced a masterpiece from some of the most experienced and talented brains in the superyacht world. Within five months of handover she had already clocked up 11,000 miles.
It’s often tempting to sum up new yachts with a short phrase describing their key characteristics. The brief for Aquarius included that she should be, ‘an elegant, muscular sailing yacht with a classic profile for family enjoyment’. But that barely scratches the surface of the main requirements for this giant ketch.
The owners also wanted a yacht that would combine good seakeeping characteristics with performance, reliability and quality. Essential features included relative simplicity, robustness of systems and a contemporary interpretation of elegant, classic lines, with a clean and uncomplicated appearance.
Aquarius ’s graceful lines and timeless shape belie a rugged world cruiser configured to be self-sufficient for extended periods when voyaging well beyond the popular Med and Caribbean circuits. In addition, the yacht is welcoming for family and friends, while providing sufficient performance to compete in superyacht regattas .
Designed to perform
“The owner loves sailing, so top performance was important,” says Dykstra’s Erik Wassen, who led the design team. “Not to the level of a racing yacht, but having the feeling of sailing well and being responsive like a smaller yacht.” A further stipulation was that the boat should not be experimental. The result is a sensible superyacht interpretation of a performance yacht.
With a whopping 50ft of bow and stern overhangs, there’s far less internal volume than might be expected for a yacht of this length. Also maximum beam is less than one-sixth of the overall length. Even so, any temptation to spoil the lines by raising the black-painted freeboard to provide more space for systems was successfully resisted.
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Considerable work and talent was therefore needed to fit all the requirements into the slender hull. The design team repeatedly honed the arrangements until everything would fit, including adequate space for crew accommodation and servicing of systems.
A fixed 4.8m draught keel fits with the theme of simplicity, while also freeing up the internal space that a lifting or telescopic keel would otherwise occupy. Wassen says: “If it was for optimum performance, you go to seven, eight, nine, ten metres.” The problem is that quickly stops being practical, so his aim was to: “try to get her in the same sort of harbours as the J Class yachts – you can still enter St Barth’s Bucket , for instance.”
Computational Flow Dynamics (CFD) work informed the final hull shape. “In our first hull design we noticed the centre of effort shifted when going from close-hauled to a beam reach to running,” says Wassen. “By optimising the hull shape in the CFD we could minimise that effect, giving much more equal rudder pressure on different points of sail.”
A sense of scale as the seemingly tiny figures prepare the mizzen staysail
The response and feel of a smaller boat was achieved “through having an ample sail plan – the boat has lots of sail – and giving her lots of stability,” he adds. “We kept her as light as possible, which is always difficult because of the weight of the systems and of the ballast needed to provide stability.”
Aquarius ’s skipper James Turner has been very impressed with the handling so far: “With the correct sail plan Aquarius is a delight on the helm, responsive with weight to the wheel,” he reports. “Contrary to what her length and volume might suggest, she feels lively yet forgiving, almost playful on the wheel.”
A clean and uncluttered deck layout was a key priority, but was rendered more difficult by the lack of bulwarks. The profiles of both deckhouses were kept as low as possible, while individual sails are sheeted to similar points, which concentrates deck gear in discrete locations.
Despite her significant sail area, push-button controls mean Aquarius can be sailed by three
Clustering several different items into a single feature also helped to achieve this goal. For example, the boxes for vents and skylights ahead of the main deckhouse also form the backrests for the cushions when this area is used for sun lounging. In addition they house discrete B&G units that provide headsail and spinnaker trimmers with the key data needed for racing.
Project manager Godfrey Cray was keen to use halyard locks to reduce the number of winches around the mast base – the final arrangement has just two winches here instead of the usual four. Attention to detail extends to the cowl vents that have a protection ring of black composite below the polished stainless steel caps so that there is no chance of lines snagging.
The large mizzen was a feature from the inception of the project and provides a powerful configuration for fast reaching and downwind sailing with the mizzen staysail set. A further advantage of this sail plan is that no compromises were needed to keep air draught below the Panamax limit.
Optimised hull shape and big sail area means Aquarius has the response and feel of a smaller yacht
Doyle Sails New Zealand was involved in the project from an early stage, which gave time to tweak the sail plan and for aerodynamic and finite element analysis work to optimise the deck layout and improve overall load predictions. Aquarius is a fast enough boat for the apparent wind to often be forward of the beam.
A 1,580m2 running asymmetric spinnaker is included in the inventory and is clearly important when racing. However, optimisation of the reaching sails was also a priority to enable Aquarius to realise her enormous potential. In addition to the main and mizzen a 460m2 mizzen staysail and 770m2 Code 0 boost the sail area to an impressive 2,200m2 when reaching.
Rondal performance furling booms are a key means of simplifying sail handling , without compromising performance. They allow control of the foot tension of the sail, while providing a very practical means of reefing and stowing the sails.
“Typically, these systems are getting more and more reliable,” says Wassen. “There are hardly any boats that are not specifying them, except for some that go all the way to more racy slab reefing systems to reduce weight aloft.”
Square-top sails were shunned because of the difficulties of handling the top batten. However, the large roach main and mizzen still require running backstays, which are handled by captive winches. “They take more space and are heavier,” says Wassen, “but the captive winches mean you always have the opportunity to ease the runners under load if you have to make an unexpected tack or gybe.”
The twin wheels are positioned far enough outboard to give good sight lines to the bow and the rig. Key sail controls are also located at each helm station to facilitate easy handling. A drawback to this, though, is that you can’t always see the function you’re adjusting. “It’s something we don’t often do,” says Wassen, “and making it look inconspicuous and classic is difficult.”
The solution was a more modern style console with a lot of controls that are fully concealed by hinged teak covers when not in use. This enables the boat to be sailed with only three people on deck.
Key challenges
While the brief for Aquarius deliberately avoided pushing hard against the boundaries of engineering and materials technology, there were still many challenges to overcome before the owners’ vision and dream could be realised.
In particular, a huge effort was needed to fit the accommodation and systems into the low-volume hull. This involved an iterative process between four parties – naval architect, interior designer, the engineers at Royal Huisman, and the owners – to ensure systems and adequate crew quarters could be accommodated, while leaving enough space for the owner and guest accommodation to meet the brief.
There is plenty of relaxation space split across Aquarius’s three cockpits
Interior designer Mark Whiteley initially presented two concepts – one for a relatively dark panelled interior, the other with mahogany furniture and trim balanced by white wall spaces. After the two had been mocked up at full scale for a section of the boat, the owners chose the lighter option. Whiteley subsequently described his challenge as creating, “a light and contemporary classic feel, rather than a more sombre and historically referenced one”.
While this early decision informed the big picture, he says the finer details needed careful judgement to give the boat its unique feel. The final coat of white paint on the wall panels, for instance, was brushed by hand to provide additional character and interest. He says: “This added to the relaxed informality and chic, understated quality you might associate with a house in the Hamptons.”
The main cockpit is the primary social hub of the boat, so considerable effort was put into refining it. This extended to the folding arrangements for the tables and to the design of the additional fold-away seats that face the main U-shape seating areas.
Mahogany joinery is balanced by white trim
The owner wanted a single floor level in the deckhouse, without a higher level for the seating areas, while retaining a view through the windows when sitting down. The lower edge of the windows therefore needed to be brought down as far as possible, which in turn provides a lot of natural light. The skylights also help to flood the interior with natural light.
Two versions of the magnificent owner’s suite were mocked up full-size to ensure every aspect was optimised to the maximum extent possible. There’s ample natural light from the large oval fan light around the mizzen mast, plus four port lights.
The bed is positioned to give a view towards the stairs to the private aft deckhouse, which opens onto its own cockpit. Attention to detail extends to secure stowage for water carafes and personal items.
Natural light floods into the owner’s suite from large fanlights around masts
Guest accommodation includes two double suites, plus a further flexible cabin that’s primarily configured as a twin. Two extra berths can be provided here to accommodate a larger number of children, via a Pullman on the inboard side and a recessed bed that drops down from the deckhead on the outboard side. A great deal of effort was expended to ensure there is no evidence of these extra beds when the cabin is in its normal mode.
There’s also a fully equipped gym, plus a lower saloon, with a huge cinema screen and top end concealed sound system. Quarters for up to 10 crew are provided in five cabins forward. This area has its own access from the foredeck, while guest areas can also be reached from the galley.
What does Whitely like most about the accommodation? “The relaxed feel and the balance between the classic and the contemporary, it really works. I also like the owner’s suite a lot: it’s a fantastic living space.”
The owner’s suite includes private aft deckhouse
Aquarius is the latest addition to a very distinguished lineage of modern classics produced in the past decade by a collaboration between Dykstra and Royal Huisman, including Kamixitha , Meteor and Pumula .
It’s a stunningly successful partnership that, with Aquarius , has produced another beautiful new superyacht that combines the ultimate in elegance with superlative comfort, style and performance.
Specification
LOA: 56.18m (184ft 4in) LWL: 41.17m (135ft 1in) Beam: 9.51m (31ft 2in) Draught: 4.80m (15ft 9in) Displacement: 264 tonnes Mainsail: 520m2 (5,597ft2) Mizzen: 440m2 (4,736ft2) Blade: 430m2 (4,628ft2) Air draught: 58.50m (192ft 11in) Spars: Rondal carbon with Rondal/Carbo-Link continuous standing rigging
First published in the July 2019 issue of Supersail World.
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This Sailing Yacht Is Designed to Circle the Globe
The 184-foot superyacht by royal huisman blends old-world design with modern technology., geri ward's most recent stories.
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The phrase “contemporary classic” is a bit of a cliché, but Royal Huisman’s 184-foot Aquarius is the embodiment of a timeless sailing superyacht integrated with the latest technology. The Dutch builder has become known for large, bespoke sailing yachts that have redefined that category, but Aquarius is a special design, reminiscent of a 1930s cruising yacht.
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The profile and hull by noted Dutch firm Dykstra Naval Architects and interior by UK-based Mark Whiteley Design met the owner’s mandate for an elegant yet muscular sailboat that would be used for cruising the world with his family along with racing in the occasional superyacht regatta.
“He wanted a sailor’s yacht with a clean, uncomplicated look,” says the owner’s representative, Godfrey Cray. “Not a pirate ship, but a modern, fashionable, and chic-looking yacht with performance, reliability, and quality.”
As experienced sailors, the owners wanted Aquarius to be able to perform well but with a simple-to-use sail management system. Royal Huisman, mast specialist Rondal, and a team of rig specialists from Doyle NZ created the carbon-fiber masts, rigging, and sail plans, with the maximum downwind sails measuring a mind-blowing 32,292 square feet. The team also used modern technology to simplify sailing handling, including remote units that raise and lower the massive sails.
That involved an intricate system of electric winches, carbon-fiber masts, forestays, custom deck hardware, and other high-tech rigging. The yacht looks absolutely stunning under sail.
“We needed to provide good performance for long passages, but also ease of handling,” says Erik Wassen, senior Dykstra designer for Aquarius . “We wanted to make it possible to get set up and sail off an anchorage in well under an hour, sail for a few hours, and then still enjoy an afternoon of relaxation or water sports.”
The open design and long length of the topsides gave the designers space to add in social areas like the large lounge amidships and rear area in front of the twin helms. The open decks are a sea of uncolored teak with subtle gray caulking, adding to the classic look.
Whiteley’s interior is open and light-colored, taking full advantage of the yacht’s wide beam. The long, rectangular windows of the superstructure provide excellent natural light, while the sofas and other areas sit against the bulkheads, leaving plenty of interior space. An aft staircase leads down to the owner’s suite and guest accommodations. Like the saloon, the guest staterooms are light-colored, with dark-stained wood decor. Aquarius also has a gym and cinema room, with a high-tech sound system embedded in the walls.
The owner’s suite, defined by a mast disguised as a pillar, is wrapped in dark wood floors and cabinetry, with a bedroom, large en suite, and side office. It also has a private balcony overlooking the water.
Aquarius has three tenders in different garages for water sports and access to land, as well as a stairway that folds out from the side of the yacht so the owners and guests can board easily.
Royal Huisman is truly a special yard (the “Royal” designation is reserved for a handful of companies that distinguish themselves in their fields), and Aquarius is a truly special yacht, showing that the most modern superyachts do not have to look like something out of a sci-fi movie. Aquarius puts a shape to the words “modern classic.”
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AQUARIUS II – ANSWERS AND INSIGHTS
…after 58m / 190ft Ngoni (2014 – 2017), 56m / 184ft Aquarius (2015 – 2018) and now 65m / 212ft Aquarius II (2022 – 2024).
We asked for his responses to the questions below because, while not all readers of inhuis will see ‘a larger version of the same yacht’ as the most exciting story, we believe they will find much to interest them in these aspects of the project.
Question 1 – What are the specific objectives for this larger sister ship? In particular, what established features and benefits of Aquarius are the owners totally committed to preserving and retaining on Aquarius II; and what new opportunities or additional benefits do they hope to enjoy as a result of building Aquarius II?
Godfrey Cray: The objectives for Aquarius II (AQII) were:
- Sailing performance to be commensurate with the length increase from AQI
- Increased cabins and living spaces for owner and guests
- Increased crew accommodation and service areas
- To take advantage of fully tested innovations and system upgrades
- Continuing focus on quality and reliability
Considerations:
- The owners were very happy with the current yacht. Particularly the modern classic exterior look, balance and sailing performance by Dykstra Naval Architects and the interior layout and décor from Mark Whitely Design.
- We have a wealth of experience and knowledge to draw upon with the captain, engineers and crew from AQI all well qualified to augment the design, systems and fitout for the new project.
- A fourth guest cabin.
- A big increase in size for the gym as well as the social areas of the main deck house. The larger owners’ deck house now has offset stairs which allow for a wrap-around sofa and lounging configuration.
- The exterior cockpits and social spaces have also increased in size.
- A larger galley, crew mess and laundry, along with an extra crew cabin, all reflect the owners’ commitment to providing a good living and work environment for the crew.
- The engine room and technical spaces have also been enlarged.
- There has been an extensive study, tying in the naval architects, spar designers, sail designers and consultants to ensure we have a very well balanced , easily driven and powerful sailing yacht.
- An efficient lifting fin keel with 7.6m / 25ft of draft has been incorporated.
- Early in the design process the owner expressed his commitment to sailing performance, which has driven the rig heights and sail areas: main mast 67.5m / 221ft, mizzen mast 60m / 199ft, upwind sail area 1,958m 2 / 21,000ft 2 , downwind sail area 4,671m 2 / 50,700ft 2
- Sail handling and sailing systems has been in continual development with Rondal, Doyle and Royal Huisman. We are fully aware of the need to be able to push the yacht hard in racing conditions with a crew of 30 and then safely cruise and deliver the yacht with minimal numbers of permanent crew.
- We have had winning racing results with AQI and the objective has been to continue learning and add this experience to the development of AQII
Question 2 – How did the owners and their advisers arrive at the length of 65m / 212ft for Aquarius II – an increase of 9m / 30ft over Aquarius. Were other lengths considered and, if so, what factors made this the ideal choice?
Godfrey Cray: Firstly, the design issue with sloops approaching 50m and ketches of up to 60m / 199ft is a matter of keel draft and sail area. If either of these are limited, then performance will be compromised.
- Keel Draft – Typically 4.8m / 15.7ft of draft allows yachts to get into most of the desirable cruising locations. But 4.8m of draft really restricts sailing performance. A lifting keel is one of the cleanest and most efficient ways to add draft, stability and improve sailing performance. There is a small adverse effect on interior volume. We are at keel up 4.8m and keel down 7.6m / 25ft.
- Sail Area & Mast Height – One of the limiting factors is transiting from the Caribbean to the Pacific under the Bridge of the Americas in Panama, which has a “Panamax” air draft limit close to 62.5m / 205ft (with special permission). Interestingly we saw that recently a sloop with a rig height of around 64m / 210ft had, in a heeled state, transited under the Bridge of the Americas.
So, to achieve the required increase in interior spaces and taking into account a mast height of 64m / 210ft, led us to an overall length of 61m / 200ft with a plumb bow, bowsprit, submarine anchors, lifting keel and a main mast of 64m / 210ft. This was starting to look like it ticked all the boxes. However a final check with the port authority in Panama informed us they were no longer entertaining a heeled-state transit under the bridge. Oooops !!!
In further consultation, the owner re-stated that he wanted no compromise to the sailing performance and therefore we should make no concessions for Panamax. He also reiterated his preference for a spoon bow on similar lines to AQI.
No longer constrained by mast height, and with a spoon bow and no bowsprit, we pushed the length out to 65m / 213ft and the main mast height up to 67.5m / 221ft, along with a conventional, simple anchor system. At 65m / 213ft we achieved the extra cabins, increased luxury spaces, increased services areas and crew spaces.
Question 3 – With extra hull volume, will AQII have additional, or more sophisticated, operating systems? Or will a similar systems specification simply have more space/ better access?
Godfrey Cray: Firstly, our goal with AQI was to keep it as simple as possible within the bounds of a luxury superyacht. By the nature of a superyacht, this is mostly unachievable but it does steer the project away from risky innovation projects. The same mantra applies for AQII. That said, we have incorporated some current but tested developments including:
- Semi-hybrid power generation, battery and load smoothing.
- Climate Control improvements.
- Side boarding arrangements.
- Lifting keel system.
- Sail and mast design taking advantage of the load reductions offered by Doyle’s structured luff developments, along with Carbo-Link’s solid carbon Elipse rigging.
One of our biggest gains is the experience and knowledge with system design and improvements that are coming from AQI.
Question 4 – It is said that, from a distance, Aquarius II will be difficult to distinguish from her smaller sistership. But are there, perhaps, subtle design differences that may not immediately be obvious? For example, the ratio between hull length and air draft? Or the additional hull length being allocated to some sections of the hull disproportionately to others?
Godfrey Cray: As you say, the differences will be subtle. Some little changes in the sail plan. Forestay down a touch, main and mizzen mast height ratio slightly different. Slightly lower deck house heights in relation to the overall length.
Question 5 – Turning to your experiences and impressions of working with Royal Huisman on three individual projects over some eight or more years: since you first came to Royal Huisman as owner’s project manager on Ngoni, there have been many changes and developments at the shipyard. From your perspective, what aspects of RH’s capability and service are you pleased to see remain consistent? What new developments are you pleased to welcome and are there any that you are less certain about?
Godfrey Cray: There is still the commitment to quality and innovation, which is very pleasing. Also in general there is a can-do attitude, always looking for solutions. In terms of innovation and development, RH has a good history with this but some clients may not fully understand all the implications of what they are asking for. It has been a tough time over the last 10 years for sailing yacht builders so it is nice to see Royal Huisman in business and with a full order book. The world needs another two to three large sail yacht builders!
Question 6 – Over the same period, Royal Huisman has been at the forefront of significant new developments in advanced propulsion, power generation and energy management systems. Do you see the incorporation of these benefits as a natural progression for AQII – or are there any aspects of these new developments you consider of limited value for such a project?
Godfrey Cray: This is mostly covered in my answer to your third question. However – re your reference to developments that may be “considered of limited value” – this is dependent on the desire of the owner and their team for innovation; and of their understanding of all the good and bad that comes with it. Some innovations may be seriously cool and add function and enjoyment. However they can come with development, time, cost and reliability issues.
Question 7 – You will be well aware that Royal Huisman recently built the 58.5m / 192ft motoryacht PHI (2021) and will deliver the 52m / 171ft sportfisher Project 406 this year. What is your view of one of the world’s premier custom sailing yacht shipyards building specialised motoryachts alongside its mainstream super and mega sailing yacht projects?
Godfrey Cray: I liked the proportions of PHI which were likely driven by its length and having to stay under 500GT. I would say, if you have the option, stick with sailing yachts as they are the hardest to build and Royal Huisman is good at them. Delving into the motoryacht market with so many builders may prove to be tough. I certainly would not approach a motoryacht builder to build a high tech sailing yacht.
Question 8 – Was the choice of Royal Huisman to build AQII an automatic choice, given their detailed knowledge and experience of Aquarius? Or were there other considerations to resolve before that decision was taken?
Godfrey Cray: We invested a lot of time, effort and trust in Royal Huisman to build AQI. A continuation with the shipyard was always more than likely.
Main specifications
Aquarius II | Royal Huisman project 408 | type: Performance Ketch | length: 65m / 212ft | owners’ project manager: Godfrey Cray | naval architecture + exterior styling: Dykstra Naval Architects | interior design: Mark Whiteley Design | construction: Alustar® aluminum | rig + handling: Rondal carbon rig + Integrated Sailing System | Learn more about Aquarius II at this website > yachts > under construction [ link ].
Please find below more photos of the hull under construction:
The additional featured yachts in this article can be found at this website: yachts > delivered yachts > Ngoni [ link ], Aquarius / AQI [ link ] and PHI [ link ]. Project 406, the world’s largest true sportfish yacht, can be found at: yachts > yachts under construction [ link ].
A special moment – in pictures
27 March 2023 – Today’s hull turning of Royal Huisman project 408, Aquarius II, in Vollenhove: home to the world’s finest superyacht building. Find the article at this website: news > announcements [ link ].
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AQUARIUS // Royal Huisman
Renowned dutch shipyard royal huisman starts construction of 56m classic ketch "aquarius" designed by dykstra naval architects with interior design by mark whitely design ..
Aquarius is equipped with carbon spars and booms which have a Panamax height limitation. Delivered by the yard’s subsidiary Rondal. The hull design details feature oval portholes, a circular skylight around the mizzen mast to flood the owner’s suite with daylight.
Aquarius will carry a 6.2m jet drive tender behind the foremast. She gets a large 3m side boarding platform and the twin helm station will be a part of the main cockpit.
Thys Nikkels of Dykstra Naval Architects says:
“The owner’s brief for Aquarius has been for a stunning looking yacht for family enjoyment. We created a slender hull with long overhangs for an elegant and classic-looking yacht with favorable sea-keeping characteristics that are ideal for worldwide cruising. The generous sail area combined with her ketch rig and modern underwater body with a fin keel and spade rudder will assure light air agility to her otherwise all-around performance. We might see her in a Bucket regatta, but with below deck stowage planned for numerous toys such as a Laser, kayaks, windsurfers, and bicycles she will be as much at home in a secluded bay as on the race course or the high seas.”
Interior of AQUARIUS
The owners' suite.
Owner's Suite
Profile & Sail Plan
Interior designer Mark Whiteley comments:
“The interior will compliment her elegant profile and traditional lines with beautiful raised and fielded white painted paneling trimmed with an elegant but simple profile of fine varnished timber. The brief called for a relaxed home afloat for the owner’s family and friends, and aside from a split-level master cabin featuring a private deckhouse and cockpit, the accommodation includes a large deck salon, three en-suite guest cabins, a media room and even a dedicated fully equipped gym. One cabin will serve as a bunk-room for the owner’s extended family with twin beds that can convert to a Queen double with a set of Pullman berths above. The gymnasium too will have an optional Pullman fitted.“
Delivery for Aquarius is scheduled for autumn 2017. Her maiden voyage will be in the Caribbean at the islands of the West Indies.
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Owner’s Perspective: Pure Bliss Onboard Aquarius
By Catriona Cherrie
The 56-metre sailing yacht Aquarius was delivered in January 2018 by Royal Huisman and has since completed several trips, including winter cruising in the Caribbean and a summer in the Mediterranean. The owners of Aquarius have been exceptionally impressed thus far with the Royal Huisman build and tell of their experiences onboard in the following interview...
Godfrey Cray, the owners’ project manager and CEO of Godfrey Cray Maritime Ltd says of the brief for the yacht: “The owners were exceptionally clear. They wanted a family cruising yacht that was enjoyable and fast to sail during adventurous cruising and also occasional racing. The hull should be visually very attractive: beautiful and timeless. They wanted a classic interior that was not too busy or fussy, but calm and elegant. And finally, it had to be simple and reliable.” The owner's of Aquarius tell us more...
Could you please rate, out of ten, your level of satisfaction with the finished Aquarius compared with the vision you set out to realise? Owners of Aquarius (OA): Aquarius is a 10 out of 10 in terms of our satisfaction. We set out to build an elegant, muscular sailboat and the shipyard and the design team delivered a yacht that is both of those things and more.
What has been your response to Aquarius’ capability and handling under sail? Aquarius has proven to be an exciting sailboat, and she sails gracefully and powerfully. We have yet to test her under all conditions, but her performance to date has been excellent.
From a family and guests’ perspective, does everyone – whatever their age – get everything you hoped for out of Aquarius? She is a ship for everyone. There are plenty of things to do, many areas to find comfort and excitement, and she is an enjoyable yacht for all aboard.
Do you enjoy helming her? Is there a point of sailing on Aquarius that is especially pleasing to you? I enjoy helming her in winds of 10 knots or more. From 12-15 knots, she sails beautifully and is ‘near-perfect’ on beam reaches.
Are you looking forward to the opportunity to put Aquarius through her paces at St. Barths Bucket Regatta? Yes, of course! We are very excited to see what she can do under racing conditions and confident she will be an impressive racing boat.
Do you have any other comments or insights that might be of interest to the readers around the world? It is a dream come true to own a boat like this and to look at her and sail her with such a strong sense of accomplishment and appreciation.
Royal Huisman has definitely succeeded in creating a yacht which completely fulfils the dreams of the owners, as the owners of Aquarius have confirmed. Royal Huisman continues to impress with their timeless builds and great attention to detail and owner's specifications, with an extensive number of builds currently in production and the refit sector, Huisfit , expecting seven refit projects over the winter season.
"It is a dream come true to own a boat like this and to look at her and sail her with such a strong sense of accomplishment and appreciation." Owners of Aquarius
"It is a dream come true to own a boat like this and to look at her and sail her with such a strong sense of accomplishment and appreciation."
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APSARA is a 56.0 m Sail Yacht, built in Netherlands by Royal Huisman and delivered in 2018.
Her power comes from a MTU diesel engine. She has a gross tonnage of 298.0 GT and a 9.5 m beam.
She was designed by Dykstra Naval Architects , who also completed the naval architecture. Dykstra Naval Architects has designed 21 yachts and created the naval architecture for 29 yachts for yachts above 24 metres.
Her interior was designed by Mark Whiteley , who has 6 other superyacht interiors designed in the BOAT Pro database - she is built with a Teak deck, a Aluminium hull, and Aluminium superstructure.
APSARA is in the top 5% by LOA in the world. She is one of 31 sailing yachts in the 55-60m size range.
APSARA is currently sailing under the Cayman Islands flag, the 2nd most popular flag state for superyachts with a total of 1406 yachts registered. She is known to be an active superyacht and has most recently been spotted cruising near France. For more information regarding APSARA's movements, find out more about BOAT Pro AIS .
Specifications
- Name: APSARA
- Previous Names: AQUARIUS
- Yacht Type: Sail Yacht
- Builder: Royal Huisman
- Naval Architect: Dykstra Naval Architects
- Exterior Designer: Dykstra Naval Architects
- Interior Designer: Mark Whiteley
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56m Sailing Yacht AQUARIUS Review So how did AQUARIUS progress from idea to award-winning luxury ketch? Exteriors Interiors AccommodationView more info and photos of s/y aquarius ..., recent yacht reviews.  Columbus Yachts announce the launch of ... Yacht Review: 60m Feadship Superyacht ... Luxury charter yacht SCORPIOS: Never ... YACHT REVIEW: 67m owner customised ... YACHT REVIEW: 46m luxury charter yacht ... In Focus: 62m Oceanco charter yacht ... In focus: Explorer yacht EMOCEAN from ... Yacht Review: Glittering glamorous gold ... Luxury Yachts At Events St Petersburg & Tampa The Caribbean The Mediterranean The Pacific Northwest The South Pacific Cairns & the Great Barrier Reef Please use a modern browser to view this website. Some elements might not work as expected when using Internet Explorer.
 NOT FOR CHARTER * This Yacht is not for Charter* SIMILAR YACHTS FOR CHARTER View Similar Yachts Or View All luxury yachts for charter
The Aquarius
THE AQUARIUS yacht NOT for charter*47m / 154'2 | perini navi | 1990 / 2010. Owner & Guests Cabin Configuration
Special Features:
The 47m/154'2" sail yacht 'The Aquarius' (ex. Xasteria) was built by Perini Navi in Italy at their Viareggio shipyard. Her interior is styled by Italian designer design house Perini Navi and she was delivered to her owner in July 1990. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Perini Navi and she was last refitted in 2010. Guest AccommodationThe Aquarius has been designed to comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests in 4 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 8 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht experience. Range & PerformanceThe Aquarius is built with a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, with teak decks. Powered by twin diesel MTU (12V183TC91) 600hp engines, she comfortably cruises at 12 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 13 knots with a range of up to 5,000 nautical miles from her 41,100 litre fuel tanks. Her water tanks store around 10,100 Litres of fresh water. She was built to ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) ✠A1, Yachting Service, AMS classification society rules.
*Charter The Aquarius Sail YachtSail yacht The Aquarius is currently not believed to be available for private Charter. To view similar yachts for charter , or contact your Yacht Charter Broker for information about renting a luxury charter yacht. The Aquarius Yacht Owner, Captain or marketing company 'Yacht Charter Fleet' is a free information service, if your yacht is available for charter please contact us with details and photos and we will update our records. The Aquarius Photos  NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection Specification S/Y The Aquarius
SIMILAR LUXURY YACHTS FOR CHARTERHere are a selection of superyachts which are similar to The Aquarius yacht which are believed to be available for charter. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.  47m | Perini Navi from $107,000 p/week ♦︎  42m | CMN Yacht Division from $43,000 p/week ♦︎  50m | Perini Navi from $188,000 p/week ♦︎  Andromeda la Deafrom $113,000 p/week ♦︎  46m | Perini Navi from $125,000 p/week  Douce France42m | Alu Marine from $108,000 p/week ♦︎ As Featured In The YachtCharterFleet Difference YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website. San Francisco
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Aquarius, nowadays Apsara, is a stunning yacht of rare beauty. She combines classic hull lines with a powerful modern rig and a clean, contemporary chic above and below decks. ... The world cruising ketch Aquarius received the "Best Sail 40m+" award as well as the overall award "Best Interior". READ MORE . E-BROCHURE AQUARIUS. READ MORE ...
With launch in 2017, superyacht Aquarius is an elegant and classic-looking 56-metre ketch, constructed by the premier Dutch shipyard, Royal Huisman. Ideal for worldwide cruising, luxury sailing yacht Aquarius features both naval architecture as well as exterior design by Dykstra Naval Architects. Her stylish interiors are by Mark Whiteley Design.
The brief for Aquarius included that she should be, 'an elegant, muscular sailing yacht with a classic profile for family enjoyment'. But that barely scratches the surface of the main ...
AQUARIUS at the St. Barths Bucket Regatta: 'close to perfect' The owners' brief retains a strong emphasis on performance. AQUARIUS II will feature a state-of-the-art carbon rig and integrated sail handling from Rondal, structured luff sails, and a retractable keel for optimal stability under racing conditions.
Aquarius II will have two masts, a lifting fin keel with a draft of 7.6 metres and will fly a total downwind sail area of more than 4,500 square metres."The owner likes to sail, so the boat needs to be relatively quick in getting the canvas up. That's taken care of with the in-boom furling and also by keeping the deck equipment relatively simple and minimising clutter.
The Dutch builder has become known for large, bespoke sailing yachts that have redefined that category, but Aquarius is a special design, reminiscent of a 1930s cruising yacht. Related Stories
The 65m/213'3" sail yacht 'Aquarius II' was built by Royal Huisman in the Netherlands. Her interior is styled by design house Mark Whiteley Design and she was completed in 2024. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Dykstra Naval Architects. Range & Performance.
Godfrey Cray: The objectives for Aquarius II (AQII) were: Sailing performance to be commensurate with the length increase from AQI; ... What is your view of one of the world's premier custom sailing yacht shipyards building specialised motoryachts alongside its mainstream super and mega sailing yacht projects?
Aquarius is a custom sailing yacht launched in 2018 by Royal Huisman in Vollenhove, Netherlands. NO ORDINARY CUSTOM SHIPYARD. Design. Aquarius measures 56.00 metres in length and has a beam of 9.50 feet. She has a gross tonnage of 298 tonnes. Aquarius has an aluminium hull with an aluminium superstructure.
New 56m sailing yacht AQUARIUS by Dykstra Naval Architects and Royal Huisman. IN FOCUS: Royal Huisman Sailing Yacht AQUARIUS. 55m Spirit of Tradition ketch KAMAXITHA superyacht by Royal Huisman. The importance of exterior design - Insight into Royal Huisman sailing yacht Aquarius.
Fifty-six metre sailing yacht Aquarius was delivered in January 2018 by Royal Huisman and has since completed several trips, including winter cruising in the Caribbean and a summer in the Mediterranean. Her captain, James Turner, has sailed the ship from destination to destination and was an integral part of the design process.
Aquarius will carry a 6.2m jet drive tender behind the foremast. She gets a large 3m side boarding platform and the twin helm station will be a part of the main cockpit. Thys Nikkels of Dykstra Naval Architects says: "The owner's brief for Aquarius has been for a stunning looking yacht for family enjoyment. We created a slender hull with ...
The 56-metre sailing yacht Aquarius was delivered in January 2018 by Royal Huisman and has since completed several trips, including winter cruising in the Caribbean and a summer in the Mediterranean. The owners of Aquarius have been exceptionally impressed thus far with the Royal Huisman build and tell of their experiences onboard in the following interview...
The 56m super sailing yacht Aquarius built by Royal Huisman, is seen here anchored in Navagio, Greece. Photo of the Day Super sailing yacht Aquarius in Navagio. Written by Léandre Loyseau. Fri, 10 Dec 2021 | 08:00.
APSARA is in the top 5% by LOA in the world. She is one of 31 sailing yachts in the 55-60m size range. APSARA is currently sailing under the Cayman Islands flag, the 2nd most popular flag state for superyachts with a total of 1407 yachts registered. She is known to be an active superyacht and has most recently been spotted cruising near Italy.
The sailing yacht can accommodate 8 guests in 4 cabins with an interior design by Mark Whiteley and an exterior design by Dykstra Naval Architects. Aquarius is a 56 m / 183′9″ luxury sailing yacht. She was built by Royal Huisman in 2017. ...
56m Sailing Yacht AQUARIUS Review . At 56m/184ft, S/Y AQUARIUS is a striking vessel that is capable of crossing the Atlantic under her own power. Her naval architecture and exterior styling comes from Dykstra Naval Architects while her interiors are by Mark Whiteley Design. She took the Best Interior and Best Sail 40m+ awards at the ...
The 47m/154'2" sail yacht 'The Aquarius' (ex. Xasteria) was built by Perini Navi in Italy at their Viareggio shipyard. Her interior is styled by Italian designer design house Perini Navi and she was delivered to her owner in July 1990. This luxury vessel's exterior design is the work of Perini Navi and she was last refitted in 2010.
Find Aquarius Sail boats for sale in your area & across the world on YachtWorld. Offering the best selection of Aquarius boats to choose from.
In 1938, it was granted town status. [citation needed]Administrative and municipal status. Within the framework of administrative divisions, it is incorporated as Elektrostal City Under Oblast Jurisdiction—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts. As a municipal division, Elektrostal City Under Oblast Jurisdiction is incorporated as Elektrostal Urban Okrug.
A variety of cruises are offered aboard the Genesee Belle Paddlewheel riverboat throughout the summer. Reservations are required for all meal cruises. Lunch cruise tickets must be purchased in advance. Reservations for the lunch cruise are accepted until the preceding Wednesday (based on availability). Specialty cruise tickets may be purchased in advance or on the boat based on availability....
Elektrostal Geographical coordinates: Latitude: 55.8, Longitude: 38.45 55° 48′ 0″ North, 38° 27′ 0″ East Elektrostal Area: 4,951 hectares 49.51 km² (19.12 sq mi): Elektrostal Altitude: 164 m (538 ft) Elektrostal Climate: Humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification: Dfb)
Heliport information about UUDO - Orlovo, MOS, RU. Information on this site may not be accurate or current and is not valid for flight planning or navigation.