SUPERYACHT #494
June 2003
Article selected from our quarterly magazine dedicated to the largest
and most luxurious boats with information, interviews, technical
articles, images and yachting news
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Article by
Angelo Colombo
Photos by
Jainie Cowham
and Ed Holt
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VITTERS SHIPYARD AFRICAN QUEEN
The African Queen, a 42.9 m yacht rigged as a sloop with an aluminium
hull is one of the latest to come out of the Vitters Shipyard in
Holland.
Launched last June, she was followed by another example in October. At
present in the Dutch shipyard a third one is in production which, in
contrast to the first two, will be equipped with a cutter rig.
The African Queen was designed by the Dubois Naval Architects Design
studio, who have come up with a performance hull which is ideal both
for ocean cruising and for open sea racing. Wèll begin with
the impressive sail plan, comprising a carbon fibre mast, 47 m long,
and a boom, again in carbon, of 15.75 m.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 42.9 m
Waterline length: 35.0 m
Max. width: 9.0 m
Draught: 4.0 m
Light displacement: 215,000 kg
Water tank capacity: 7,000 lit
Fuel tank capacity: 19,500 lit
Ballast: 52,000 kg -Engine: 1x830 HP MTU 12V 183TE72
Reduction gear: ZF BW211
Generators: 2x 50kWA Northern Lights M668D
Sailing instruments: B&G, Leica, Plath and Furuno
Communications: SSB, VHF, on-board telephone, Satcom
Total sail area with spanker, genoa and foresail: 1,308 sq.m.
For further information:
Vitters Shipyard BV; Stouweweg
33; 8064 PD Zwartsluis; Olanda; tel. +31 38 3867145; fax +31 38
3868433; website www.vitters.com; e mail info@vitters.com.
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The mast has five orders of
quartered crosstrees towards the stern, continuous topmast shroud and
running backstays. The surface area of the spanker is 390 sq. m., the
genoa 575sq. m. and the foresail 343sq.m. Total surface to the wind is
1,308 sq.m. which with the 35.0 waterline length is able to offer a
respectable performance. As we mentioned, the structure and deck-house
are entirely in aluminium but on board plenty of wood has been used
for panelling and furnishings and for the lining of the deck. The
African Queen has a slender profile and the dimensions of the deck-
saloon are well-proportioned to fit harmoniously into the overall
design. Inside the deck-saloon, in the forward starboard area, there
is the indoor bridge, behind which is a dinette with table, L-shaped
sofa and small sofa seating a total of 8, with opposite a coffee table
and two armchairs, all lit by the large windows. Astern there is
another dinette, although this one in the open, with two large
crescent shaped sofas fore and aft with a central aisle allowing
convenient access to the cockpit with its double helming station and
complete steering gear. A central ladder from the deck-saloon leads
to the deck below where astern, taking up the full width, is the
owner's cabin, with en-suite bathroom containing bath and shower,
separate office area, double bed and divan as well as, of course,
large wardrobes and lots of space. Toward the bow, to starboard,
there is another smaller-sized double cabin with en-suite bathroom. In
the mainsail area there are two large double cabins both with en-
suite bathroom and sofa. Forward of this area there is a
lounge/dinette, with a dining table seating ten and a small lounge
with double coffee table, armchair and sofa: there are also bathroom
facilities in this area. Continuing towards the bow there is a
spacious galley to starboard as well as a utility room, a small office
to port, forward of which there are holds, crew's cabin and two double
cabins for skipper and mate. It's worth noting that the crew's
quarters are in the same style and materials as the other cabins
reserved for the owner and guests; in addition, they are independent
and easily accessible. The interiors are lit by large skylights and by
portholes of various sizes on the walls at different levels. The
interiors were designed by Redman, Whiteley and Dixon Design. Going
back on deck, something that stands out on the main deck is the
spacious garage astern which can house a fair-sized tender while at
deck level, boxed into the stern area of the deck-house there is
accommodation for a second tender, a Rib which is a good size for
excursions along the coast with friends or family or for fishing trips
and diving expeditions. Another feature of the exterior is the stern
where there is a small central platform and two ladders to reach deck
level. On board the African Queen everything is obviously in
proportion to the whole; for example the anchors are two steel CQR,
weighing 227 kg each, the bow propeller is a 75kW Hydrosta and the
generators are two 50 kWA Northern Lights M668D. As we said the Dutch
shipyard has made wide use of fine wood; for example the deck is
entirely lined in 18 mm. teak while the interiors are entirely in
Sapeli mahogany, bestowing elegance and warmth on each setting. The
blue hull, together with the teak-lined deck and the white deck-house,
gives the African Queen an elegant look emphasised by a freeboard
which is moderate in spite of the length of the hull. This is
certainly a yacht for those who set sail for far horizons, whether
these be North, South, East or West, a boat that brings to mind a
verse by Fabrizio De Andrè: "for the love of travelling, travel".
To which we should add: comfortably, quickly and safely.
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