Philippe Briand naval architect insights of Perini Navi 38m Dahlak

Launched this spring, the 38m Perini NavisloopDahlak is the latest yacht from Philippe Briand’sstudio to make waves.

Sister Ship

P2Built at Perini Navi’s yard in La Spezia, Dahlak’s striking lines mirror those of her sister ship, multi-award winning S/Y P2. Since her launch in 2008, P2 has proved herself as a serious contender onthe superyacht racing scene. Having participated in over 25 regattas, her trophy collection is vastand impressive, with 15 podium positions and most recently a first place at both this year’s LoroPianaSuperyacht Regatta and the St Barths Bucket.

P2 embodies the remarkable and rare balance of luxury cruising and high-performance racing thatPhilippe Briand first introduced nearly 20 years ago through the legendary S/Y Mari-Cha III. Dahlakexhibits the same DNA, but with two further decades of finessing.

Mari-ChaIII’s legacy

Briand explains this trio’s connection: “The first big racing yacht I was asked to design was Mari-Cha III. She was the biggest carbon-hulled yacht to be built at that time and during the buildingprocess the family fell in love with the project and expressed their wish for her to also be a familyyacht. Since then, Mari-Cha III has been the joy of all the owner’s family, for the grandparents, thechildren and the now-adult grandchildren. A yacht that wins the transatlantic race and at the sametime still brings pleasure to the owner after 20 years is about as good as it gets. Dahlak follows asimilar concept: fast when needed, yet always comfortable and welcoming for the guests, she isbuilt to last.”

Philippe Briand’s Performance Pedigree

Regarding Dahlak’s performance,  many  of  the  features  that  made  P2  so  successful  have  beencarried through to this newly built yacht. For example, the hull shape and appendages are identicaland, thanks to her plumb bow and smooth slope aft, she exhibits a long, streamlined waterlinelength, which, combined with her moderate displacement, delivers in Dahlak a sporty elegance.

The high-efficiency, deep-draft lifting keel and rudder gives the helmsman plenty of control in tightupwind  work,  as  well  as  in  high-speed,  broad  reaching  conditions.  Dahlak’s  hybrid  carbon  fibremast is fitted with full composite standing rigging, which towers 51.5m above the water, and offersa sail plan surface area of over 1,870sqm.

A Family Cruiser

For her role as a family yacht that  can be cruised in comfort, Dahlak exhibits several technicalinnovations  to  provide  owners  with  the  ultimate  on-board  experience  in  luxury  and  wellbeing.These  include  a  high  volume,  modern  interior  that  features  detailing  of  Perini  Navi  quality  andattention to detail, coupled with lightweight materials and cutting edge construction technology. Asa result, the interior boasts a fresh and elegant feel with plenty of light, complemented by carefullyselected furniture that does not overwhelm or crowd the living areas.

New Technology

Dahlak  is  equipped  with  the  latest  generation  of  fully  automated  electric  captive  winches,engineered  in-house  at  Perini  Navi.  This  not  only  leaves  the  deck  and  cockpit  unobstructed  bysheets and running rigging for enhanced aesthetics, but also improves the safely for guests andcrew.  A  further  technological  development  is  the  lithium  polymer  battery  system  ‘Silent  Night’,which  ensures  the  quiet  running  of  Dahlak,  while  taking  advantage  of  the  latest  environmentaladvancements.

The water ballast system has been removed and replaced by an additional eight tonnes in the keelbulb, which helps to preserve the original stability that made P2 such a comfortable and powerfulsailing yacht. The ease of handling the high-aspect-ratio rig has been secured by recessing thegenoa and jib furlers in the deck, as well as the development of the 14m furling boom that sheltersthe full battened mainsail quickly and safely.

For years to come, there is no doubt that Dahlak will provide her owners with a superb platform forworldwide cruising with family and friends as well as exciting and competitive team racing. Sherepresents a true milestone in Briand’s continuing quest to achieve the perfect balance betweencomfortable  cruising  and  sailing  performance.  She  is  a  technological  masterpiece,  from  whichfuture yachts will be modeled.