The steel and aluminium yacht, which displaces 1575 tonnes, was built in close cooperation between the Oceanco large yacht shipyard and the sailing yacht specialists at Vitters. With "Aquijo", which currently occupies fourth place in the ranking of the world's largest sailing yachts, both shipyards are delivering their first yacht for this year.
The two masts, which rise almost 90 metres into the sky, will have 3200 square metres of North Sails 3Di sail laminate on the wind, while a 2000 square metre Code 1 will complement the sail wardrobe on rough courses. "We call the yacht a 'sketch', a mixture of schooner and ketch, as the two masts are almost identical in height. The mizzen mast is only 1.50 metres lower," explains yacht designer Bill Tripp, who was responsible for the exterior styling, hull lines and rigging. The straightforward and modern interior was created by the Hamburg design office Dölker + Voges, while Master Yachts oversaw the complex project as the owner's representative.
As the impressive sail area proves, "Aquijo" was designed as a true sailing yacht. The Vitters engineers developed an innovative steering system that transfers the hydrodynamic forces on the rudder blades directly to the steering wheels on the flybridge helm. This allows the voluminous two-master to be steered sensitively.
The owner and his family are planning extended trips around the world, including a circumnavigation of Cape Horn, which is why great importance was attached to safe sail handling.
Martin Hager
Editor in Chief YACHT
