Welcome to the special “20th Anniversary” section of Top Yacht Design. Here we present to you, day by day, the best stories, yachts and personalities we have covered in these 20 years of Top Yacht Design, from 2006 to the present.
Taken from Top Yacht Design No. 6/2006 pp. 58/65
Antares, the red scorpion
We are in 2006, the first year of Top Yacht Design, when we dedicate this article to the new ketch by Royal Huisman bears the signature of Dixon and Young: forty metres of rare elegance and surprising power under the sail. A boat destined to leave its mark in the galaxy of superyachts.
The magnificent 40-metre ketch recently launched by the Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman bears the name Antares, after the red star in the constellation Scorpion which has inspired poets and artists for centuries. Two years’ work went into the craft and Antares fully reflects the philosophy of the yard which has been building one hundred percent custom luxury boats since 1884. Today in its fourth generation (the title “Royal” was bestowed in 1984), the yard balances the modern and the traditional, using “new” materials without betraying the craftsman’s approach that has gained it world acclaim. Thanks to its ability to carry out all work inhouse including the hulls (in aluminium, composite and wood), equipment and the structure’s 30 square metre Rondal rig, Royal Huisman is able to maintain the “everything under the same roof” philosophy that customers like so much because it saves both time and money. Antares was created in a very innovative environment, open to all kinds of forms of expression, where architects and designers arrive from all parts of the world to brainstorm and share solutions and ideas. The exterior lines of the ketch were designed by Bill Dixon while the interiors are the work of the Dick Young design studio.
The yacht will mainly sail in the Mediterranean but this does not mean that it is not suited to transoceanic voyages: on the contrary, Antares meets the strict Lloyds/MCA construction criteria applied for pleasure craft and is, therefore, able to take to the oceans in total safety. Furthermore, the certification guarantees longevity of the craft, giving it market appeal, even for new owners. Antares is a striking beauty but this is not at all surprising: it is a distinctive characteristic of Huisman yachts. What is surprising are the solutions designed to create a harmony of proportions without succumbing to the “gigantism” ‘that all too often disfigures megayachts. To make managing the sails easier, the ketch rigging is the fruit of very careful calculation. The two masts and the boom by Southern Spars are made entirely of carbon fibre (supplied by the owner). The choice of carbon is mandatory when high measurements (the mainmast exceeds 44 metres and the mizzen mast 31 metres) and resistance are required without excessive weight. Everything else on the deck, beginning with the custom winches, is made inhouse by Rondall.
At the height of the mainmast there is the housing for the tender which is manoeuvred with a special hoist. For construction, on the other hand, composites were chosen: Corus Alustar Tember H321 aluminium for the hull and HI 12 for the superstructure. The owner, who already knew Dixon, requested a high performance boat that was, above all, comfortable for enjoyable sailing with friends and family. This made it necessary to develop broad, well defined spaces, both above and below decks. This starts with the coachroof that holds a dinette and the internal wheelhouse that is designed to maintain contact with the persons operating on the outside. The stern-most portion holds a sundeck where one can enjoy sailing without getting in the way of the crew. At the level of the mizzen mast, a double mechanical and hydraulic wheel house has been created (again in carbon) and from this control area with twin cockpits connected to the main cockbit the helmsman can participate in the social life while keeping tabs on the large deck, even with all sails unfurled. The electronic instrument panels are dublicated on the inside to ensure complete control over sailing, even in bad weather.
Forward of the outside wheelhouse there is a broad cockpit equipped with seats and a table; moreover this area provides direct access to the doghouse with steering console, table and sofas. From the coachroof it is also possible to go below decks where Dick Young’s mark is clearly visible: after a series of talks with the owner, the designer decided on a dynamic concept for the furniture, meaning the individual pieces are unattached and independent of each other rather than a permanent furnishing solution. To achieve this, Young alternated French walnut with leather panels. The owner’s zone and guest area are linked in the traditional manner at the stern. The owner has a suite with double bed, lounge corner, office and large en suite bathroom. Toward the bow we find a guest cabin on the starboard side with twin beds set against the walls, and a VIP cabin on the opposite side, both with separate private bathroom and en suite shower.
The forward area is dedicated to social life. Starboard there is an elegant, comfortable dining room for eight while the port side holds a living room with “L”-shaped sofa and corner bar. Here we also find the of fice which can easily be transformed into another cabin. The crew quarters are in the tip of the bow with three double cabins with private bathrooms plus the crew mess with eatin galley. We can rest assured that Antares will not pass unobserwed in the galaxy of superyachts.
By Bianca Ascenti – Photo by Hans Westerink
