Dutch ship maker KM Yachtbuilders proposes to release a second aluminium-bodied Pelagic 77 by 2024

Netherlands-based KM Yachtbuilders has declared to sources that it is developing the second 23.5-metre Pelagic 77 sailing yacht, which features an aluminium superstructure and two aluminium masts. The hull construction will commence on 28 November 2022 in Makkum.

This second instalment of the Pelagic 77 series is almost an accurate replica of the first Pelagic 77, also referred to as the Vinson of Antarctica, where ‘Vinson’ means conqueror. The boat will be built under a subsidiary of the same owner.

The naval blueprint has been submitted by Tony Castro, who incorporated aluminium as a raw material for building the ship’s hull, with an addition of a 6.2-metre beam and two strong aluminium masts. The second Pelagic 77 will have ample area to host twelve guests while providing the user with four staterooms.

Aluminium is one of the most common elements used in making water-borne vehicles, mostly because of its lightweight and anti-corrosive nature. Once utilised in end-user products, aluminium gives the user added security of a circular economy, wherein the source material can be recycled repeatedly to produce a fresh batch of aluminium.

Earlier, KM Yachtbuilders had mentioned that the latest 23.5-metre Pelagic 77 would be specially crafted with the aim of navigation and research in the Arctic Ocean, which is quite the opposite of the prior Pelagic model as it was built with the sole idea of exploring the Southern hemisphere.

The Polar sailor and commercial director of Pelagic Expeditions, Skip Novak, identified the key points of similarity between the two Pelagic models by narrating: “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.”

The new Pelagic 77 will be constituted with the hope of indulging in vital research missions in the North; Novac goes on to voice his observations: “climate change science, film support and reportage [in the far Northern hemisphere] need a vessel like Vinson. A platform of our Pelagic 77 concept is a perfect tool to achieve these endeavours.”

The optimisation and delivery of the second Pelagic 77 have been scheduled for 2024.