Monday, 18 February 2013

Adastra Superyacht

Described by Boat International as "one of the world's most amazing super yachts, that could spell the future for efficient long range cruising", the striking 42.5m Trimaran Adastra has recently been launched in China for Hong Kong clients Anto and Elaine Marden.

"Adastra" is the result of meticulous attention to detail and innovative design to build a yacht that meets the needs of a very experienced ocean voyaging couple and their family, and to provide the level of comfort and style that would be expected in a yacht of this class and size. No effort has been spared in the challenge to produce a beautiful yacht that will have exceptionally low fuel consumption and yet provide excellent sea keeping qualities and luxurious accommodation. "Adastra" takes the power trimaran concept further than has ever been attempted before, previous vessels like "Earthrace" and "Cable and Wireless" were stripped out record breaking machines. The challenge of turning this concept into a viable luxury yacht has led us to further research and to develop new thinking on stability and comfort at sea for this type of craft. Extensive tank testing and radio controlled model tests in waves have been carried out to analyse stability and performance. Outrigger height has been optimised for ease of motion at sea, and a new outrigger shape has been developed to increase stability in waves. We have undertaken a state of the art structural analysis of all the major components in the yacht in order to achieve the light weight required for very low fuel consumption. All this has resulted in the exceptional vessel that was launched in China in April 2012.

Adastra's 16 metre beam creates a spacious saloon area on the main deck which offers superb views through a panoramic window and accommodates a lounge area, dining table and navigation station. A forward facing door through the saloon window gives easy access to a large sunbed on the foredeck. The aft deck has a sofa and bar area to port and a dining area to starboard, further aft of this there is space for a 4.9 metre tender and directly below is a garage which can store a 3.1 metre tender. The garage door has been designed to fold out and create a large dive platform. Extra space has been created below deck by slightly flaring the central hull just above the waterline. This area has been split into two sections with a full-width master cabin located aft with access from the deck saloon, and two further guest cabins, accommodation for the crew, and the galley located forward of the engine compartment. Adastra offers comfortable accommodation for nine guests and up to six crew members. The main helm station, which has seating for two, is positioned in a raised pilot house situated between the aft deck and the saloon area and forms part of the cross beam structure.

Extensive structural analysis of all parts of the yacht has been carried out, initially by White Young and Green and later by ASTA. This was the only viable way to analyse a shape and structure as complex as this. Simulations of loadings from side slamming, wave impact, and torsional effects of the outrigger riding through waves, were all applied to the computer model. The superstructure is carbon fibre with Nomex honeycomb core, the hull is glass/kevlar foam sandwich and the interior is light weight oak cabinetry using honeycomb panels. To help reduce weight, virtually every aspect of the boat is custom built. This includes carbon fibre hatches, portlights, ladders and even hinges, which are all built specifically for the vessel.

The anchoring system is unique with three anchors all driven by carbon fibre drum winches run by hydraulics. The primary anchor is a custom 130kg Bruce style anchor that deploys out of the starboard wing. The second anchor is 80kg and deploys out of the bow with a carbon fibre arm. The third anchor is 60kg which deploys out of the port wing and will be used as a stern anchor.

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