Project Noir, Royal Huisman's 81-meter performance sloop will be the world's tallest at 93 meters, ... [+]
Imagine you are about to purchase a superyacht. Would you choose motor or sail? The numbers, according to The Superyacht Times 2023 The State of Yachting Market Report, heavily favor motor yachts. Of 5,500 superyachts over 30 meters in length and in service in 2023, the report states 85 percent were motor yachts and 15 percent were sailing yachts.
Regardless of the details in the power versus sail debate, one thing is clear: the lines between the sectors are blurring. Sailing yachts are becoming ever more chic, luxurious, and easy to sail. Power yachts are continually working toward sustainability with alternative propulsion methods and redefined materials. Dutch shipbuilder Royal Huisman is about to illustrate the best case yet for choosing sail over power, particularly if you want to enjoy both the journey and the destination.
Project Noir Will Be The World’s Tallest Sloop
Project 411, aka Project Noir, features a sloop rig rising to 93 meters. That’s 305 feet. For comparison, the Statue of Liberty is 92.99 meters. Big Ben is 96 meters. A Premier League football pitch is between 112 and 115 meters.
Average mast height is often calculated to be 1.3 x LOA, or length overall. Alternatively, another ratio suggests mast height plus sail area to righting moment as a better guide. Performance sloop Project Noir’s hull measures 81 meters in length. Whatever the math, Project Noir will have the tallest sloop rig around. Among the top 10 largest sailing yachts in the world, it will also be the fourth Royal Huisman to currently rank in that elite category.
Design Details
The experienced owner’s brief for Project Noir expressed the importance of speed, power, and responsive handling. As a result, Project Noir will sport a reverse bow that will extend the waterline, often specified for increased sailing speed. For the all-aluminum construction, auxiliary power will come from electric drives.
Expansive glass and folding platforms intend to deliver mesmerizing views. A flying bridge allows for enjoying the outdoor environment while underway. A reflection of its code name, Project Noir will sport dramatic black deck gear and windows. The yacht is sized to carry a 14-meter tender.
Naval architecture and exterior styling are in the hands of UK firm Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design. With more than 200 yacht designs to their credit, 55 of them superyachts, the group has delivered monohulls, catamarans, motor yachts, chase boats, and tenders, achieving a solid global reputation.
Interior design will display the work of Barcelona’s GCA Architects. Known for their design of hotels, island getaways, private homes, wineries, restaurants, banks, and of course, yachts, GCA states that they apply a vision for the future.
GCA designer Josep Muanpere Miret comments that Project Noir interiors will follow the contemporary style of the exterior, making use of woods, natural materials, and textures borrowed from nature, to exude luxury and comfort.
The integrated sailing system and rig will come from Vollenhove company Rondal, founded by Royal Huisman. Rondal’s mastery of the Out of Autoclave, OOA, approach is a way to create structurally sound superyacht sailing masts in a single, unified piece. The process has earned success through decades of installations using large prepreg curing ovens and thin carbon composite molds, paired with Rondal's experience and expertise.
The Apex 850 Concept Collaboration
While not connected to Project Noir in any way other than design/build genetics from Royal Huisman and Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design, the Concept Apex 850 is illustrative of this dream team capability. Perhaps some of the innovations embraced by the 85-meter Concept Apex 850, designed with a 107-meter air draft rig, might find their way into Project Noir.
Plans for the Concept Apex 250-square-meter owners’ apartment show it as full beam, with a private lounge, sauna, and walk-in wardrobe. An aft area with opening doors, massive floor-to-ceiling glass walls, and cinema is also drawn into the owners’ space.
McKean notes, “The sailing experience of Apex 850 will be sensational, with speeds in excess of wind speed in most conditions."
With regard to Project Noir, Royal Huisman CEO Jan Timmerman acknowledges, “I am pleased and humbled that we can highlight Royal Huisman’s 140th year of operation with the announcement of such a significant project.”
How many, if any, of the Apex 850 concept design elements will be embraced by Project Noir? And more importantly, how many motor yacht owners might be converted to sails by this type of expansive, luxurious, more sustainable sailing yacht?
