The first photos of Royal Huisman's 43-metre sloop Blue Papillon under sail in the Mediterranean Sea have been released today.
This project was highly guarded by Royal Huisman during her build and no photos were released by the yard when Blue Papillon was launched in May 2013.
Blue Papillon is eye-catching with her fittingly marine-blue hull and low-slung deckhouse in silver. Naval architecture is by Germàn Frers, and she has been designed for high-performance and easy handling with a narrow entry, moderate draft with a fixed-bulb keel and a fully balanced carbon fibre spade rudder controlled by a mechanical steering system, which helps maximise responsiveness.
Her main sail area is 506sqm. Featuring an in-boom furling system, she is designed to be sailed by minimal crew, and the Rondal carbon-fibre high-aspect sloop rig offers impressive windward performance and low drag.
The above aerial photo gives a glimpse of her three cockpits: a main cockpit is protected by an extended coach roof, the central cockpit is flanked by the dual helm stations, and when in use, the retractable dodger provides added privacy for the aft owner's cockpit with a settee and large sun bed far aft.
Blue Papillon's contemporary interior is by Rhoades Young and accommodates eight guests, including her full-beam master that offers direct access to the aft deck. What can't be seen in the new photos is the grand staircase leading to the fold-down stern platform that together transforms to the "beach deck" when the yacht is at anchor. Blue Papillon carries a 4.5-metre tender in her lazarette and a second RIB in the foredeck locker.