High-end sail cruising for the eco-conscious

Three masts carry 1,910 sq.m of sail

The latest design to be unveiled by Danish naval architectural firm Knud E. Hansen is a 110 meter sail assisted Wind Cruise Vessel. Able to accommodate up to 100 passengers, it has a range of 6,000 nautical miles.

Knud E. Hansen says the design addresses a number of growing trends in the cruise industry. The higher end of the market prefers smaller ships where passengers can escape the crowds found on larger cruise lines. Similarly, the modest length and shallow draft of the vessel allow it to anchor in small harbors, away from the throngs of tourists found in busier ports.

The design also appeals to eco‐conscious tourists aiming to travel the world while minimizing their carbon footprint. The combination of low‐sulfur diesel and wind power result in a vessel that exceeds the requirements for Emission Control Areas and all forthcoming IMO regulations. The vessel also includes a large battery bank to allow for zero emissions in port and in specially protected areas.

The vessel features a modern sailing rig designed by Germany’s Detlev Loell Ingenieurbüro, GmbH. Its three free‐standing masts each carry a fully‐battened main sail with adjustable trailing‐edge flaps for optimizing lift. The total sail area, which includes a single head sail on the forward mast, is 1,910 square meters. The sails are computer‐operated and are designed to provide peak performance, even in light winds.

The formidable rig design, combined with four diesel‐electric engines, will allow the vessel to cruise at 15 knots in most operating conditions. The twin‐screw arrangement and pair of tunnel thrusters forward allow for superior maneuverability in small ports and anchorages. Active fin stabilizers limit the vessel’s heel to 6 degrees in sail‐assisted mode, in order to ensure passenger comfort in typical operating conditions.

The accommodation decks include 46 passenger cabins and two deluxe cabins. All the cabins are located outboard with ocean views, and many have private balconies. Located in the hull is a Sea Lounge with underwater windows for viewing marine life. On the second deck is a large tender garage with a capacity for multiple rigid inflatables, jet skis, diving gear and other recreational equipment, as well as ROV camera equipment for observation of underwater environments at amaximum depth of 3,000 meters. All can be launched via shell doors on either side.

The third deck features a sun deck astern with a swim platform for easy water access. Deck 4 includes a large restaurant with al fresco dining as well as a bar, library, and card room. Deck 5 includes a large bar/lounge aft surrounded by exterior deck space plus an observation area on the foredeck. The top deck features an open‐deck café and sun deck with lounge chairs.

• SHIP DETAILS:
• Main Dimensions:
• Length, oa 110.3 m
• Length pp 99.3 m
• Breadth molded 17.0 m
• Depth molded to third deck 7.9 m
• Scantling draft 4.7 m
• Design draft 4.5 m
• Deadweight abt 730 t
• Sail area abt 1,910 sq.m
• 50 Pax cabins