Royal Huisman delivers powerful performer Aquarius: a new chapter in superyacht elegance. This 65-meter / 213-foot ketch showcases the shipyard’s dedication to craftsmanship and commitment to - exceeding owner
Royal Huisman delivers powerful performer Aquarius: a new chapter in superyacht elegance. This 65-meter / 213-foot ketch showcases the shipyard’s dedication to craftsmanship and commitment to - exceeding owner
There is no finer complement to a team than when yacht owners ask for a new vessel just like the last one, only bigger and more powerful performance. This is precisely the story behind the new Aquarius. Recently completed sailing trials on the North Sea proved she is the exquisite powerhouse her owner requested. In 14 - 18 knots of true wind speed and armed with just her cruising sails she was clocking 15 - 16 knots on a reach.
On first glance, it is hard to tell their previous Aquarius, now Apsara, and new Aquarius apart. The 56m / 186ft version launched in 2018 and the brand new 65m / 212ft replacement look identical from a distance – by request. The husband and wife behind the builds had put considerable effort into creating their first large custom yacht and loved it, calling it “close to perfect”. But as their family grew, and anticipating more time aboard and longer voyages, they realized more space was necessary. Rather than reinvent the wheel, the owners reassembled the original team to deliver a larger version of their family’s yacht. This time having the objective of achieving perfection.
The team (described by an independent commentator as “some of the most experienced and talented brains in the superyacht world”) comprises superyacht builder Royal Huisman, owners’ project manager Godfrey Cray, Dykstra Naval Architects, and interior designer Mark Whiteley. Her carbon rig and state-of-the-art sail-handling systems by Rondal ensure thrilling performance and effortless handling. “The yacht is incredibly well-balanced; her sailplan, keel, rudder and hull are all in sync,” notes an ecstatic Cray. “The torque-assist steering system really makes the yacht a pleasure to helm.”
Designing and building a world cruising yacht is one thing, but the owners also announced that they wanted to repeat the 2019 and 2022 St. Barths Bucket-winning performance of the original Aquarius. Conscientious about weight, Royal Huisman conducted a design and finite analysis study on the hull structure, work that reduced the weight of the ‘Alustar’ aluminum hull and superstructure by about 10 tonnes. - This allowed the keel to be a bit heavier for improved stiffness and stability.