Australian builder Echo Yachts has announced the construction of a full-custom, 57-metre catamaran.
Commissioned by an "experienced [and] private client", it is slated to become the world's largest sail-powered catamaran and supersede the recently-delivered ArtExplorer. This marks the shipyard's entry into the large, custom sailing yacht market.
The catamaran will have a total sail area of 1660 square metres and an "extremely efficient" aluminium hull form for "eco-efficient, long range cruising".
Dykstra Naval Architects will be responsible for exterior styling, layout and naval architecture, while One2Three Naval Architects will work across details and structural design. The team's combined portfolio includes the 106.7-metre Black Pearl, the 66.9-metre Hetairos, the world's largest trimaran White Rabbit and Australia's largest catamaran, Charley 2.
"Echo Yachts are extremely excited and proud to have been selected to custom build this magnificent catamaran sailing superyacht, and look forward to bringing the yacht to fruition with our client, Dykstra and One2Three," said shipyard owner and director Mark Stothard. "This new superyacht will truly elevate the term ‘green superyacht design’ with its low resistance catamaran hull form, sail-powered capability and other emission-reducing technologies."
One2Three Naval Architects owner and director Steve Quigley added: "This sailing catamaran will cement Echo Yachts’ Australian build capability on the world stage for unique superyachts."
The news follows Charley 2's delivery in October 2023.
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