LOTUS, the 88m Dyna-Rig and 70m Companion Vessel, launched and overwhelmingly positively received at the recent Monaco Yacht Show 2019. LOTUS, the next-generation project from the ThirtyC design studio, in collaboration with Dykstra Naval Architects and Royal Huisman.
THE SUPERYACHT EXPERIENCE RE-DEFINED
Discerning superyacht owners are increasingly looking for a more refined experience. For some, the joys and thrills of cruising under sail may be diminished when a yacht grows above a certain size. For these owners, a megayacht under sail does not deliver quite the same personal experience; it can feel less in touch with the elements.
So why build a boat of that size? Because today’s standards of luxury, comfort and services for guests require a very comprehensive crew and support team. With up to 18 guests, that can mean a full complement of anything from 40 to 50 people. A hull of 130m or more is required to accommodate them, lessening the intimacy of the experience for some owners and guests, who may feel overwhelmed by the scale of the deck spaces and the size of the crew complement.
LOTUS: MORE THAN A SOLUTION, A WHOLE NEW WAY OF THINKING
The superyacht experience that owners and their guests increasingly appreciate is multifaceted. Adventurous world cruising under sail. The excitement of superyacht racing at legendary regattas such as the St Barth’s Bucket. Day sailing among the world’s most beautiful archipelagos. Recognising that different groups of family or guests might want to pursue different itineraries at the same time. Exploration, diving, the ability to explore rias and fjords, even a simple run ashore.
The answer is LOTUS, one superyacht project with two integrated components: the magnificent LOTUS 88m | 289ft DynaRig sailing yacht; and her companion vessel the LOTUS 70m | 230ft explorer with a full complement of sea-to-shore transport options and much, much more.
LOTUS is not a sailing yacht with a support vessel. LOTUS is a concept whereby two vessels are designed, built and operated in a totally integrated manner to provide the most comprehensive range of superyacht experiences and services ever offered to owners and their guests by the superyacht industry. The result is a wholly new level of personal choice, freedom and flexibility to enjoy the very best of everything superyachting has to offer – without compromise or limits.
TWO MAST DYNA-RIG
LOTUS IS A BOLD AND ORIGINAL BLUEPRINT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF SUPERYACHTS
Her concept is leading edge not only for her rig, styling, technology and performance but also for the attractive balance of accommodation and facilities available for guests. A far less intrusive requirement for crew and support team than is normal for a yacht of this size is made possible by the dual-ship LOTUS package. LOTUS under sail is a true sailor’s experience, in touch and uncompromised, yet still enriched by the most comprehensive guest services.
The LOTUS sailing yacht offers her owner speed, precision sailing and reduced complexity in terms of both rigging and crew. She has the capability to cruise the world in total comfort and security or to compete in global superyacht regattas. This versatility is derived from the proven and highly efficient DynaRig configuration which, combined with advanced technologies used in construction, propulsion and power management, will place her among the fastest and most technologically advanced sailing yachts in the world.
Drawn with signature ThirtyC style, Lotus is a masterpiece collaboration with iconic yacht builders Royal Huisman and DynaRig creators Dykstra Naval Architects. With its extensive open spaces, leisure facilities and superlative accommodation LOTUS offers almost limitless opportunities for customisation.
A DESIGN EVOLUTION
With the ship’s toys and other support equipment accommodated on the LOTUS companion ship, the open deck areas of this Lotus DynaRig sailing yacht with its 14.6m | 48ft beam provide more than ample space for a bow area pool, spacious flybridge and expansive sun deck, linking to the multiple dining areas, huge saloon and the vast beach club below.
TALL SHIPS, TRANSFORMED
The great clipper ships were the cutting edge of sailing technology in their day and it is fitting that LOTUS’s soaring rig pays tribute to that heritage. But today’s transformation would surely have been beyond belief to the sailors of that era.
Unlike the clipper ships, where large crews performed tough and dangerous work, the LOTUS DynaRig provides a safe environment where a small crew can manage and trim the sails without the encumbrance of lines or winches, and guests can enjoy the deck spaces in total security. This high-performance sailing system underpins ease of handling, reliability, efficiency and guaranteed performance. The masts and all the sails rotate by the simple push of a button, enabling optimum trimming either from the bridge or a remote station.
PROGRESSIVE, ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE
LOTUS aims to be one of the most technologically advanced sailing superyachts ever created. Environmental awareness, alloyed with smart deployment of new technologies, aims to lessen the environmental impact of both ships’ operations wherever the opportunity arises.
Two examples: the latest solar technology will be integrated into the masts, capturing sunlight throughout the day; ‘smart’ power generation, storage and management systems will minimize fuel use and even enable the Lotus DynaRig to sail from her berth without starting an engine.
