British studio Andy Waugh Yacht Design has presented a new 80-metre catamaran concept dubbed Decadence. The design takes inspiration from the automotive and aeronautical advances seen in the 1920s, seeking to embody the spirit of the era with new feats of design and engineering.
According to the design firm, Decadence "exemplifies the potential of the SWATH hull form" – referring to "small-waterplane-area-twin-hull" vessels. These catamarans are defined by submerged, cylindrical hulls attached to a central body by stilts, which the firm said offers "unique and exciting aesthetic possibilities yet to be fully realised in the luxury superyacht sector."
The futuristic hull also provides for several technical developments, such as an estimated 70 per cent reduction in pitch and roll movements compared to a conventional monohull superyacht for greater comfort and safety while on board.
The 5,000GT yacht will boast vast interior spaces spanning a 30-metre beam, with the potential for an owner's suite that measures 20 metres wide, 30 metres long and 3 metres high. For added privacy and protection from the weather, each deck will have fully enclosable exterior areas.
The crew spaces and other technical areas on Decadence can be consigned to the sponsons and outer hulls, freeing up additional space for guests in the main superstructure.
The design studio also acknowledged that the yacht's oversized beam would make it challenging to find suitable marina berths, which it has addressed with multiple workarounds. First, the increased stability of the hull form "negates the necessity to shelter from adverse weather conditions." In addition, the design also has built-in capacity for two 14-metre chase-boat tenders from Skyline Yachts to serve as transfer shuttles to shore.
Renderings also show retractable inflatable sails, suggesting that the yacht will benefit from added wind power. Otherwise, the studio said the yacht will feature a “radical new propulsion system" that is expected to reduce energy use by around 30 per cent.
Andy Waugh Yacht Design has become known for its boundary-pushing yacht concepts, some of which have included the 70-metre Serafina, 175-metre Acionna, 45-metre Revolution and 90-metre Nouveau. The studio has also revealed that it is working on a new build 100-metre-plus project commissioned for an American tech mogul, which is currently in the engineering phase at Dorries Yachts in Bremen, Germany.