Baltic Yachts, the Judel/Vrolijk studio and an expert owner have developed Baltic Path, an entirely composite 146’ ready to challenge all the world’s oceans. (Here all our posts about Baltic Yachts)
“Reliability is crucial for an autonomous cruiser, and above all Path had to reflect the owner’s desire for a yacht that would be a comfortable home, an office and a sail yacht for families with high performance and straightforward handling”, says Rolf Vrolijk, co-founder alongside Friedrich 1978 of Germany’s Judel/Vrolijk studio, providing a thumbnail sketch of Path, the 146-footer by Baltic Yachts, launched in May last year. With the experience acquired on board his Baltic 112’, her owner had very clear ideas about the new build.
“The owner’s ability to gather the right team around him played an essential role in the project’s success”, says Henry Hawkins, executive vice president of Baltic Yachts. The Path project was demanding from the outset, even for Baltic Yachts, although it had built Hetairos, a 66.90-metre ketch launched in 2011.
Waterlines by Judel/Vrolijk
We’ll start with Judel/Vrolijk and the waterlines of this 44.60-metre sloop with a 9.35-metre beam. These imposing dimensions are complemented by efficient proportions, a quality that places Path in the same superyacht family as Canova (see TYD no.26/2021), Baltic Yachts’ 43.30-metre build with naval architecture by Farr Design and the yard alongside Lucio Micheletti, whose interiors have garnered significant international acclaim.
The sophisticated construction is in pre-preg composites with Sprint technology which, together with the interiors by Margo Vrolijk and made using sandwich panels, has enabled displacement to be kept down to 172 tonnes. Of this, 50 tonnes are accounted for by the lifting keel box – raising the keel reduces draught from 9 to 3.40 metres, facilitating entry into marinas and navigation in shallow waters.
Path: 558-square metre folding mainsail
As for the rigging, the designers sought reliability and ease of handling, leading to the choice of a masthead system where the 558-square metre mainsail folds into a 558-square metre Carbo Link boom, a twin stay for hoisting various foresail combinations and a bowsprit for the asymmetrical sails. All, like the rigging included, managed by a hydraulic system.
A 550 Hp diesel unit was chosen as the auxiliary engine, and this, combined with a saildrive that can rotate through 340° makes the yacht very easy to manoeuvre. The engine room also hosts two generators, and the roof solar panels covering the entire coach house, as specified by the owner, can supply enough energy for everyday needs. The solar array and hardtop sheltering the two helm positions are the distinctive features of the new Path’s sleek profile.
A large glazed salon overlooking the sea
The large coach house provides guests with a direct experience of their voyage – accessed from the spacious cockpit furnished with tables and conversation area, it has enabled the creation of a saloon surrounded by windows providing an all-round view of the sea.
This space has a classic feel and, like the other interiors, wood is the main decorative theme with teak furnishings and oak floors. The large open space comprising the helm position to starboard and a lounge with large sofas, armchairs and, to port, a dining table seating ten, provides access down to the owner’s area. This opens with an office featuring the latest communications systems, including a Starlink connection. Aft of the office is the entrance to the owner’s suite.
To the back of the office is the entrance to the owner’s suite. Divided by a glass partition that can serve as a screen displaying navigational data or graphics, the cabin comprises two sections – to starboard a small lounge with two Poltrone Frau chairs, to port the bedroom with twin beds that can be joined to create a double bed, but also moved to compensate for list. A large bathroom with bath completes the suite.
Guests are accommodated in three cabins, including a VIP cabin forward. Throughout the yacht the interiors display the skills of the yard’s artisans, embodied by the woodwork and small details that emphasise the research that has gone into Path’s design and construction. By winning the World Superyacht Awards 2022 in the 40 metres and above category Path has added a new accolade to the long list of prizes Baltic Yachts has notched up since its foundation in 1973.
