Royal Huisman Unveils The New 151ft Sailing “Explorer”

Royal Huisman announced a new commission for an impressive lightweight 46m high-performance cruiser sloop: “Reichel/Pugh-Nauta 151”. This sailing yacht is to be built for very experienced owners who presented a stimulating brief: comfort to explore the world, in an extremely lightweight structure to ensure victories in superyacht regattas. 

And the owners wanted to be part of the whole process of designing and building it, and enjoy every step of the way. Which is why from the moment of the project’s inception, the owners drew together the team that could realize this experience for them – Nigel Ingram of MCM Newport and the owners’ professional race team for specialist consultation; Nauta Design for the general concept, exterior and interior design, Reichel/Pugh for the yacht’s naval architecture, Rondal for her carbon Panamax rig, and Royal Huisman to provide their engineering and construction skills for the optimal end result.

The owners themselves, in addition to their extensive experience, brought their vision and confidence to the table: ingredients needed to see beyond the current world climate of Covid-19 restrictions. 

This forward-looking mindset is echoed in the “intelligent lock-down” measures implemented in the Netherlands since mid-March 2020 and promptly adopted by Royal Huisman. These measures allow the shipyard team to continue working in strict observance of the regulations, such as the continuous monitoring of its workers’ health situation; social distancing, office staff working from home and workshop employees working in shifts to limit the number of people on site.

Project 405 “Reichel/Pugh-Nauta 151” will enter into Royal Huisman’s history as the first yacht that was contracted as the result of intensive video conferencing and telephone calls between the owners, their representative and the design / build team.

Project 405’s lightweight aluminum and carbon composite construction will present formidable competition to existing carbon yachts, whilst combining comfort with the low sound levels of aluminum yachts.

This sloop will optimize the innovative use of the materials that Royal Huisman know so well, complemented with extensive Finite Element Analyses to ensure the very best blend of “proven” and “cutting-edge”, with target performance, excellent racing properties, and sound ocean worthiness all thrown into the mix, as well.

Royal Huisman Project 405 is scheduled to be delivered in 2022.

Reichel/Pugh-Nauta 151 

Type: High-performance cruiser sloop
Length overall: 46m / 151ft
Accommodation: 8 – 10 owners / guests + 8 crew
Construction: Aluminum and carbon composite
Naval architecture: Reichel/Pugh                                            
General concept, exterior and interior design: Nauta Design                                           
Owner’s representative: Nigel Ingram, MCM Newport
Builder: Royal Huisman
Rig: Carbon Panamax by Rondal                      
Year of delivery: 2022