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The spirit of adventure that spawned the semi-custom expedition yacht market is spurring shipyards to build larger models that can voyage to the ends of the earth.
by Louisa Beckett
photography by Dana Jinkins
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10/01/2007
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All yachtsmen become adventurers each time they leave the dock
to cruise offshore. But some yacht owners make it their mission to explore
waters less traveled. The passion this group shares for long-distance cruising
to remote destinations has spawned a small but rapidly growing segment of the
market called expedition or explorer yachts.
In contrast to those who prefer the safety and comfort of the
beaten path, this breed of yachtsman often faces real dangers like violent
storms, rogue waves and pack ice. They also must deal with the more mundane
perils associated with long-range passagemaking: unreliable shore power, lack of
fresh water and unexpected groundings. Expedition yachts are designed and built
to withstand these dangers, as well as to voyage for extended periods without
refueling. As much as possible, each one is an island unto itself.
"In order to satisfy the requirements of those who choose the
less traveled path, the yacht must fulfill the needs of comfort, safety,
reliability and the ability to meet what [comes] in way of weather, be it fair
or foul, hot or cold," says David Marlow, chairman of Marlow Yachts.
Expedition yacht builders achieve that reliability and
seaworthiness through a variety of design and engineering features, some of
which hearken back to the fishing trawlers of yore. Other builders incorporate
advanced construction techniques. While the yachts typically share design characteristics such as a traditional, "salty" exterior with a raised
pilothouse, Portuguese bridge and high bulwarks, the builders’ design
philosophies vary widely in other areas. Some of the yachts have a single engine
for optimum efficiency, while others have twins. There is even difference of
opinion about hull configuration.
"A planing-hull boat is not the right boat to go offshore in.
All of our boats are full-displacement," says Jim Leishman, vice president of
Nordhavn Yachts. "If you give up on planing speed, weight is no longer a
liability. You can carry more provisions, more spare parts."
Marlow, whose yachts have semi-planing hulls, begs to differ.
"With regard to performance, we believe that it is fair to say that the vast
majority of builders today are of the opinion that the lighter boats are
superior," he says. "The comfort level is vastly superior when the yacht stops
fighting with the sea and joins with it in a waltz."
One thing all expedition yacht builders can agree on, however,
is the character of their clients. "They want a really spectacular adventure,"
Leishman says.
"Our owners are typically much more independent souls compared
to other types of yacht buyers," Marlow says. "We find they are far more
active."
Many expedition yacht owners come from the sailing side, having
given up battling with the wind and opting for the comforts of voyaging under
power. But some have little prior yachting experience, according to Leishman.
"They learn as a team together," he says. "After a year of coastal cruising,
they take off across the ocean."
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