At first glance, the 50 metres look like a highly scaled Passage Maker. The hull is made of aluminium and appears to be efficiently shaped. The best prerequisites for travelling far while consuming little fuel. The draught of just two metres is also unusual for an explorer. Equally long formats with steel hulls have keels that are around one metre deeper. JFA Yachts launched the special aluminium format in Concarneau after construction began in Brittany in autumn 2021.
Efficiency-experienced designers
There are striking visual parallels to the Arksen 85, which also comes from the computers of Humphreys Yacht Design (HYD). The designers based in Lymington took care of the design and all the naval architecture calculations for the one-off construction. HYD is also responsible for Oyster's luxury sailing boats. The brief was to develop a family-orientated cruise ship that would travel worldwide with exceptional efficiency, comfort and safety.
Tom Humphreys says: "The design benefits from a highly integrated approach that brings together all technical, functional and customer-specific requirements and is underpinned by a rigorous design where intensive CFD work was ultimately validated by one of the most comprehensive simulation programmes available."
Aluminium at the bottom, GRP at the top
The combination of an aluminium displacement hull and glass fibre reinforced plastic superstructure is unusual for an Explorer. The design, which JFA already uses in its Long Island catamaran series, reduces the overall weight and lowers the centre of gravity of the boat. However, any rolling movements are countered on two fronts: on the sides by fins and on the inside by a large gyro stabiliser. The aft deck was specially designed for transporting large dinghies.
At the heart of the 50 metres is a hybrid drive system. Two twelve-cylinder diesel engines from MTU (2000 M72) work together with electric motors and enable silent, emission-free operation in anchor mode or at low speed. The economical cruising speed is 12 knots, with the yacht achieving a range of over 5,000 nautical miles. Additional energy efficiency is provided by a large number of solar panels and a powerful battery system.
Inside
With a width of 9.1 metres and a draught of 2 metres, the Explorer offers space for up to ten guests and nine crew members despite its slim design. The interior will be open to the outside with plenty of glass and large outdoor areas. The design was created by m2 atelier from Milan, which was founded by architects Marijana Radovic and Marco Bonelli.
"This project confirms our ability to adapt to unique projects. Since 1993, JFA Yachts' expertise, based on constructions or renovations that are all different from each other, has enabled us to move forward. We see in this project both a great confidence and a recognition of all the years we have served our customers," says Frédéric Jaouen, CEO of JFA Yachts.
Technical data
- Length: 50 metres
- Width: 9.1 metres
- Draught: 2 metres
- Class: Lloyd's Register
- Hull: Aluminium
- Superstructures: GRP
- Capacity: 10 guests - 9 crew members
- Drive: 2 × MTU 12V 2000 M72 + electric motors
- Range: > 5,000 nautical miles at 12 knots
- Cruising speed: 12 knots
- Exterior design and construction: Humphreys Yacht Design
- Interior design: m2atelier
About JFA Yachts
JFA Yachts is a French shipyard based in Concarneau in Brittany. The company specialises in the construction of aluminium and composite boats and builds both sailing and motor yachts. The shipyard is particularly well known for its Long Island catamaran series and customised expedition yachts for worldwide cruising areas.
