Dutch yard Royal Huisman has presented a new, 81-metre sailing yacht concept known as Sky. The design would have the world's tallest Rondal carbon rig at 93 metres, which is said to equal the height of the Statue of Liberty from ground to torch.
An all-British design team has been chosen to collaborate on the ambitious concept. Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design developed the naval architecture and exterior styling, best known for its work on Royal Huisman's award-winning sailing yacht Sarissa, while Winch Design was selected for her coastal-inspired interiors.
The ready-to-build concept has a 2030 delivery date from the point of sale, avoiding the "customary six or more years" the owner would spend briefing and designing the project from scratch.
According to the yard, Sky's integrated sailing system and twin carbon composite rudders will provide the "manoeuvrability and simplicity" expected of a sub-50-metre performance sailing yacht. The versatile layout includes a flybridge and an aft beach deck, complete with an extendable swim platform, a cockpit with folding bulwarks, and a full-beam mid lazarette with folding platforms either side.
Other highlights include a midship wellness area, a watersports centre and a full-beam owner's suite which has direct access to the beach deck. The yacht also has capacity for a 12-metre tender, a crew/rescue tender, two water scooters and additional watersports equipment such as Seabobs, bikes, SUP boards, kayaks and an extensive scuba setup.
On the technical side, Sky's propulsion is based on electric azimuthing propeller pods and four main generators, which are combined with a battery bank that facilitates silent, zero-emission operation and peak-shaving. Her proven Royal Huisman system architecture, marked with Lloyd's "Hybrid Power" certificate, will be capable of regenerating energy during sailing.
"Sky represents the next evolution of performance sailing yachts, a project that challenges convention in both scale and elegance," explained McKeon. "From the outset, our goal was to create a yacht that combines the exhilaration of pure sailing with the comfort and sophistication of world cruising."
Royal Huisman CEO Peter Naeyé concurred, adding that the resulting design was "exceptional". "[Sky] is unique in every aspect: towering in height, immense in power [and] unmistakably head-turning," he added.
According to BOATPro, Royal Huisman has two 80-metre-plus superyacht projects currently under construction.
Read More/Royal Huisman signs contract for 80m+ "super-sized" sailing yacht