SUPERYACHT #509
September 2004
Article selected from our quarterly magazine dedicated to the largest
and most luxurious boats with information, interviews, technical
articles, images and yachting news
Summary
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Article by
Angelo Colombo
Photographs by
Andrè Minkema
and Albert Brunsting
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VITTERS SHIPYARD: GIMLÄ
Last spring Vitters Shipyard (Holland) launched "Gimlä", version N° 3
of an almost 47 metre sloop designed for the yard by Dubois Design
Naval Architects. This latest example exploits the experience gained
with the two previous sloops in the same series which, though they
were very differently fitted out and equipped, led to certain small
improvements being adopted for N° 3.
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TECHNICAL DATA
LOA: 42.90 metres
Length on waterline: 35.00 metres
Beam: 9.00 metres
Draft: 4.20 metres
Light displacement: 230.000 kilos
Water tank: 7.000 litres
Fuel tank: 19.500 litres
Ballast: 60.000 kilos
Building material: aluminium for hull and superstructure
Engine: 1 x 830 HP MTU 12V 183TE72
Manoeuvring screws: 100 HP Swing Sider bowthruster and sternthruster
Sail area (main + yankee + staysail): 1.025 square metres.
For further information
Vitters Shipyard BV: Stouweweg 33; 8064 PD Zwartsluis;
The Netherlands; tel. +31 38 386 7145; fax +31 38 386 8433;
e-mail info@vitters.com; web site www.vitters.com
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The success of this design is
mainly due to a winning combination of elements such as a powerful,
easily handled sail plan and spacious interiors that can be lived in
with absolute comfort even for long periods. "Gimlä" is a yacht
conceived for ocean cruising, with high average speeds and appropriate
safety standards, this last demonstrated by the classification ABS A1
Yachting Service & MCA Cayman Island. For this version the Dubois
Design Naval Architects studio developed a more contemporary external
design, implemented by the adoption of more thrusting lines and a
lower profile. The interiors were done by Dick Young Design, favouring
the use of light-coloured wood and satined steel for furnishings and
accessories and oil-finished teak for the floors, all with view to
creating, in the name of simplicity, environments that are sober and
welcoming. The interior is divided into three distinct areas: the
crew's quarters forward, the central zone for sheltered relaxation and
the area aft which is the night zone for owner and guests. The
deckhouse, with a spacious dining area, table and C-shaped sofa, the
sheltered command position and another sofa with an office
corner/chart table, is practically united with the lower deck saloon
in a single large environment. This solution means a really spacious
daytime area with fine natural lighting from the ample deckhouse
windows. The aft area of the lower deck houses two cabins with twin
beds and private bathrooms. Forward of these cabins, on the starboard
side, there are another two with double beds and en suite bathrooms,
while the owner's cabin on the port side is equipped with wardrobe,
small sitting room, office corner, dressing table and a spacious
bathroom with shower and tub. The saloon described above, which lies
forward of this night area and runs the whole width of the hull,
features two distinct areas: on the port side there is a large L-
shaped sofa with coffee table while the starboard side, with
audiovisual systems and other accessories, is dedicated to
entertainment and relaxation. Forward of this area the crew's quarters
feature a large room containing the galley and dining area. Then there
is a relaxation area and four cabins, two with double and two with
bunk beds and all with private bathroom. Of course the external spaces
too are considerable and are divided to ensure maximum comfort for
owner and guests both under way and during moments of relaxation. The
sail plan was designed for good performances and easy handling without
the need for a large crew. Moreover, most of the running rigging is
equipped with hydraulic and electrical systems so the considerable
sail area can be handled even by one person alone. Under sail the deck
is never encumbered by any kind of rigging since the latter is run, by
way of a cavity between deck and superstructure, to electric winches
and a roller system which are boxed in and concealed by hatches that
may be opened for inspection. This means that running rigging can be
handled without a single sheet or halyard being visible on deck. The
open air relaxation area has sofas and a table positioned aft of the
deckhouse and protected by a retractable Bimini top. Aft of the
saloon, outdoors, there are two command stations positioned to
facilitate checking the sail plan under all points of sailing and to
ensure total control of the vessel, thanks to the navigation
instrument repeaters with which each station is equipped. As for the
tenders, they can be positioned either in the stern garage, accessible
by electrically operated opening of the transom, or on the forward
deck where a special fitting can house an RIB type boat. From the
aesthetic point of view the lines are soaring and modern, aided by the
low profile deckhouse and the large windows that further lighten its
appearance. The rig consists of mast and boom in carbon, built by
Marten Marine. The mast rises no less than 47 metres from the deck and
is equipped with five orders of crosstrees quartered aft, with crow's
nest and shrouds. The sail plan envisaged is main, yankee and staysail
for a total of 1.025 square metres and a 1.140 square metre gennaker
for running.
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