Dutch shipyard KM Yachtbuilders has announced that it will be building a second Pelagic 77 sailing yacht with construction scheduled to begin later this month.
The project is being built as a sistership for the same owner of the first Pelagic 77, Vinson of Antarctica, which was launched in 2021.
“Vinson of Antarctica is a yacht we are very proud of and [we are] even prouder to build the second one,” said KM Yachtbuilders founder Eeuwe Kooi.
The yacht will be constructed in aluminium with the same dimensions as its sistership, measuring 23.5 metres LOA with a beam of 6.2 metres and two aluminium masts. Accommodations will be set aside for up to 12 guests in four cabins and naval architecture will be undertaken by Tony Castro.
“It is very rare that an owner of a custom yacht decides to build a sistership for himself. We are extremely pleased that he likes the design so much that he is happy to have a second one, albeit to operate in a different part of the world,” said Castro.
Other technical details remain sparse; however, the yard has revealed that the yacht will be constructed and designed for the purposes of Arctic cruising and research.
“The decision to build a sistership to the Vinson of Antarctica was based on the success of this design concept which over the first year of her life has supported four worthwhile projects, their content contributing to our educational arm for schools in Chile and Spain,” said Polar sailor Skip Novak, commercial director of Pelagic Expeditions.
Novak detailed that while Vinson of Antarctica will continue to be based in southern South America, the focus of the second Pelagic 77 will be the north pole.
“In the aftermath of our first project right out of the builder’s yard, supporting a German geological team on Svalbard in July of 2021, it was clear there is more work to be done in the northern hemisphere. Climate change science, film support and reportage need a vessel like Vinson. A platform of our Pelagic 77 concept is a perfect tool to achieve these endeavours.”
Delivery is slated for 2024.