• News
  • Yachts
  • Owners essentials
  • Watches
  • Marinas
  • Boat Shows
  • Studio
  • About Us
  • Contact
Facebook-f Instagram Youtube
CONTACT US
  • News
  • Yachts
  • Owners essentials
  • Watches
  • Marinas
  • Boat Shows
  • Studio
  • About Us
February 12, 2023 News

NILAYA IS A NEW “FEATHER” IN ROYAL HUISMAN’S CAP

Panamax sloop Nilaya reached another milestone with her departure from her construction hall at the builder’s Vollenhove facility in preparation for the installation of her towering rig in Amsterdam. This […]

Panamax sloop Nilaya reached another milestone with her departure from her construction hall at the builder’s Vollenhove facility in preparation for the installation of her towering rig in Amsterdam. This highly anticipated superyacht is the first to utilize Royal Huisman’s new Featherlight™ design and production method. Continuous weight monitoring throughout the build of Project 405 aka Reichel / Pugh – Nauta 154, confirms the Dutch builder has achieved its goal of slicing 11% of the weight of its typical advanced aluminum cruising yachts. Most importantly, it has reduced weight without sacrificing stiffness or cutting corners on quality for this high-performance cruiser. The shipyard’s revolutionary Featherlight™ method for this 46.8m / 154-foot sailing machine is not a single process or construction technique, but a holistic light weight approach combining various weight-saving solutions.

 

The Featherlight™ process makes use of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a design methodology rooted in spacecraft technology. FEA modeling enabled selecting various construction materials and varied Alustar aluminum plate thicknesses and frame spacing to maximize hull stiffness while minimizing total displacement. With engineering and weight management brought in-house, the approach was comprehensive, extending to lighting, insulation, and all mechanical systems. The interior, too, benefited from careful weight analysis. All interior structural members utilize lightweight foam coring. This innovative approach narrows the displacement gap between aluminum and carbon composite yachts. Comfortable, robust characteristics of an aluminum yacht are now a viable option for owners seeking true sailing performance.

 

Capturing the carbon fiber expertise of its sister company Rondal, Royal Huisman’s engineering team used this synergy to analyze and predict which structural components would be best made of composites or aluminum. For example, the entire 17.5m / 57-foot curvaceous coachroof and guest cockpit structure are carbon composite. Likewise, the recessed tender well on the foredeck (that transforms to a seating area for cruising or a flush deck for racing) is also carbon composite as are a watertight bulkhead, crew entrance, twin rudders, the keel trunk and a cockpit bimini hardtop.

 

For any high-performance cruiser, a carbon fiber mast, boom, and standing rigging are critical to keeping weight as low and as centered as possible for optimal balance. While Rondal has considerable carbon spar expertise, bringing the design of this component — and the sailmaker – into the process during the larger hull design phase is a page out of a maxi-racer’s playbook.

 

Project 405 is also the first yacht of this size range designed to take advantage of structured luff sail design pioneered by Doyle Sails, a choice that allowed the entire Rondal mast, rig, and components to be lighter — a key point considering her Panamax air draft. To take advantage of the very narrow headsail sheeting angles possible, Rondal created a radical new curved carbon fiber spreader design that is both shorter and more aerodynamic than anything previously available. Rondal also supplied new generation hybrid (carbon and aluminum) captive winches, hatches and various sail handling gear. Most deck hardware is titanium.

 

Nilaya’s racy, low profile with its straight bow, wide transom, and twin rudders, echoes the look of her owners’ previous highly successful maxi-racer of the same name. Not surprisingly, she is from the boards of the same naval architecture and design firms, Reichel / Pugh and Nauta, both firms with impressive reputations for high-performance sailing yachts. Exploring all the options for a luxurious performance cruiser also capable of podium finishes at superyacht regattas, the team made full design studies for the yacht in both carbon and aluminum using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to optimize hull shape and balance. Royal Huisman’s Featherlight™ method, an evolution of nearly 60 years of aluminum yacht-building experience melded with the latest carbon technology, provides her owners the best of both materials for a no-compromise yacht.

 

Nigel Ingram of MCM Newport serves as the owners’ project manager on the build. “While the new Nilaya is meant to take the owners world cruising, he also asked for a boat with all the ‘good habits’ of their previous racer, meaning responsiveness and excellent handling. Alustar aluminum is the right material for an advanced, quality superyacht for global cruising. It deals with noise better and is a better choice for cruising in comfort to remote locations. However, we also thought it was possible to build a lighter aluminum high-performance superyacht. Royal Huisman was not afraid to invest in research to explore and develop all manner of innovative weight-saving possibilities. They really chased the details.”

 

Nauta Design’s Mario Pedol noted that the choice of primary hull material did not fundamentally change the yacht’s layout or total weight. “With Reichel / Pugh, we set the target weight. Royal Huisman really embraced the concept. It was a very good process, good collaboration.”

 

Royal Huisman CEO Jan Timmerman used the occasion to highlight both the innovative construction methodology and the latest milestone for Project 405: “The success of the innovations with Project 405 paves the way to use this bold new approach for future builds. I am proud of the investment we have made in advanced engineering and of the way teams from Royal Huisman and Rondal advanced new solutions to meet the brief from very knowledgeable clients and designers. The owners as well deserve congratulations for pushing everyone to achieve just a little bit more and for encouraging innovation at every step. Nilaya will be the world’s lightest aluminum sailing superyacht for her length: she rewrites the script for high-performance superyachts.”

 

Royal Huisman Project 405 Nilaya will be delivered to her owners in the coming months.

 

 

Previous Post
Next Post
Close

Recent Posts

February 12, 2023
NILAYA IS A NEW “FEATHER” IN ROYAL HUISMAN’S CAP
Tags
Al Habtoor Astondoa Award awards Barcelona Benetti Bentley Bentley Motors Boats boat show Cannes Davidoff Delhaye Gregory Group Dubai ferreti fort lauderdale International boat show Galactica Super Nova Kiton Luminor 1950 Luminor 1950 3 days Acciaio Luxury Marinas Marine monaco Monaco Yacht Show MYBA MYS 2016 news Numarine owners essential Panerai Panerai Boutique Porto Porto Montenegro Radiomir 1940 Radiomir Firenze 3Days Acciaio Sunreef Super Yacht TYHA Award 2017 Volvo Volvo Penta watches Yacht Club Yachting Festival Yachts
Categories
  • Magazine
  • News
  • Yachts
  • Owners essentials
  • Watches
  • Marinas
  • Boats shows
  • Studio
  • Features
  • Uncategorized

Related Posts

June 24, 2025 News
PERSHING TURNS FORTY:AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY, INNOVATION AND REVOLUTIONARY MODELS
Pershing celebrates forty years of history and passion for the sea. It’s an anniversary that bears witness to the evolution of a brand with a revolutionary impact on the yachting […]
Read more
June 23, 2025 News
PICTURE PERFECT DAY FOR PICTURE PERFECT SAILING! DAY 2 OF THE ARGENTARIO SAILING WEEK 2025
The weather kept its promise for a beautiful Day 2 of the 24th Argentario Sailing Week, organised by the Yacht Club Santo Stefano with the support of the Municipality of […]
Read more
June 18, 2025 News
ALEXANDER MCDIARMID DESIGN GHOST YACHTS G212
“Alexander McDiarmid’s brilliance shines again in the Ghost Yachts G212, seamlessly blending the G180X’s lean, mean and clean ethos with cutting-edge technology and intricate design. Its aluminium hull and superstructure […]
Read more
June 18, 2025 News
RINA ACQUIRES FINNISH FORESHIP AND CONSOLIDATES IT’S POSITION IN NAVAL ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY
RINA, a multinational engineering, inspection and certification consultancy group, has acquired the entire share capital of Foreship, a Finnish marine and mechanical engineering consultancy company owned by Vaaka Partners and […]
Read more
June 18, 2025 News
48TH EDITION OF CANNES YACHTING FESTIVAL: OPENING OF THE TICKETING
The Cannes Yachting Festival, the inaugural event of the sailing season and Europe’s largest in-water boat show, will open its doors from 9 to 14 September 2025. The ticket office […]
Read more
June 18, 2025 News
AMELS 80 READY FOR A SEA TRIALS
Damen Yachting is delighted to announce the commencement of sea trials for the first Amels 80, an important phase in the journey towards delivery scheduled for this summer. This milestone […]
Read more
June 17, 2025 News
WATER REVOLUTION FOUNDATION LAUNCHES YACHTING’S ROADMAP 2050
Sanlorenzo hosted the third edition of Water Revolution’s Business Leaders Event in Lerici – Italy. CEOs of top 60 industry leading companies were brought together to collectively discuss the adoption […]
Read more
June 17, 2025 News
SUNREEF YACHTS ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH OCEAN INDEPENDENCE IN NEW ZEALAND
Sunreef Yachts is delighted to announce a new strategic partnership with Ocean Independence Auckland, further strengthening the shipyard’s presence in New Zealand’s dynamic yachting market. Ocean Independence Auckland will now represent Sunreef […]
Read more
June 16, 2025 News
FLEXPLORER 146 NASIBA LAUNCHED
Cantiere delle Marche proudly announces the launch of Nasiba, the third unit of the successful Flexplorer 146 series. Built for young adventurous Owners, Nasiba reflects the core spirit of the […]
Read more
June 16, 2025 News
OCEANCO LAUNCHES 111M Y726
Oceanco is excited to announce the launch of Y726 a milestone project that reflects the teamwork behind her creation. Commissioned in 2022 by an experienced and returning Oceanco client, Y726 […]
Read more

The World of Yachts

  • LATEST NEWS
  • YACHTS
  • OWNERS ESSENTIALS
  • WATCHES
  • MARINAS
  • BOAT SHOWS
  • STUDIOS
UK Office
  • The World of Yachts & Boats Ltd
  • Suite 200a, Cumberland House, 80 Scrubs Lane,
    London NW10 6RF, UK
  • +44 208 9699505
UAE Office
  • Gulf Marine Services
  • Office 1302, Al Ameri Tower, Al Barsha Heights
    P.O. 337066, Dubai, UAE
  • +971 4 3639474
Subscribe to get the latest deals!

    Facebook-f Instagram Youtube

    COPYRIGHT © 2025 – THE WORLD OF YACHTS & BOATS

    Welcome Back!
    Create Free Account

    It's free. No subscription required

    or
    Lost your password?