All sailors want to go faster and the larger the boats, the more luxury is demanded. Project Fury is a collaboration between Rob Doyle Design and Van Geest Design. The genesis of Project Fury is high performance, fanatical weight reduction and going full beam on the main deck to maximize interior volume. Currently on the market, a 60m to 63m sailing yacht will have a Gross Tonnage of 500GT max. Creators are pushing 705GT with this design (40% more) and this gives the owner a real gauge of the amount of space they are getting with this new generation of performance sailing yacht.
The envelope of Project Fury is defined by these principles and has resulted in an unique sailing yacht in all its aspects.
The yacht has aluminium hull and carbon fibre in the superstructure. A drop-down prop running on a DC bus diesel electric system and a swing keel performance centreboard, that acts as a long keel when up for motoring, give good directional stability and damping when at anchor. The idea of this project is to offer huge performance gains with an alloy hull and have race boat foils and rig package but still have a safe /clean deck that is client friendly.
As the concept progressed it became apparent that yacht performance and onboard energy management were two areas which are highly interlinked. Creating a yacht with extremely high performance over a wide wind band has given the opportunity to explore energy recovery from the propulsion system, which influences the energy storage and generator system capacity and performance. By taking unnecessary equipment off the boat (that has somehow got onto every superyacht and makes them expensive and complicated machines), creators have simplified the systems.
Having seen developments in the round the world racing yachts where sailors are navigating fully inside and well protected and the other extreme of latest Americas Cup developments Rob Doyle Design and Van Geest Design came up with the general layout and workings of this concept. As the yachts are getting wider the deck spaces are also growing. The designation of functional areas is becoming an important factor. Areas for sailing and controlling the yacht are designed to be situated apart from the leisure areas. This will result in a safer circulation and environment for all on board.
The interior space on this yacht is unlike any other yacht of similar length on the market that can also sail fast. The main lobby is the transition area from the owner’s stateroom to the 130 sq. m salon. A breakfast area and lounge are set in the large open space with full height, deck to deck, windows giving ample light and 270-degree views to the outside. The 95 sq. m master suite is located on the main deck. With its full beam forward glass looking down on the bow, it is something that has not been seen on any sailing yacht and creates an amazing connection to the outside private spaces. Its entrance houses the office. The stateroom and office feature large hull windows and balconies for full appreciation of the outdoors.
The foredeck is all flush. Two large tender bays can contain two 7m tenders which can be launched by hydraulic crane. The tender bays can be converted to pool(s). The owner can have private access to this area from the stateroom.
The lower deck aft has a large bay to store sports equipment like surfboards, sea bobs as well as all required dive equipment. The aft transom deck has an integrated transformer swimming platform. Forward of these areas is an extensive engine room space. Two double guest cabins and two VIP cabins are situated in the middle of this deck. The crew areas forward are comfortably planned with spacious service areas and one additional multipurpose cabin.
About creators
Rob Doyle is one of the new generation of yacht designers tackling the modern challenges of the large yacht business. With a strong 20-year career evolution in the large yacht sector, his experience is unique in the hands-on field of design, styling, performance, naval architecture and, importantly, classification.
Van Geest Design strives to keep design pure and uncluttered – not only in the big picture but especially in the detail. The company integrates the interaction between the outside environment and the interior spaces of the yacht. As a result of its technical and production knowledge, Van Geest Design evolves its designs, always featuring something innovative and unique.
Credits: Rob Doyle Design
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