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Feadship has launched the 83.50-metre (273’11”) Savannah, the first superyacht to feature
an eco-friendly blend of single diesel engine, three gensets, batteries, propeller, azimuting
thruster and a streamlined hull shape. Offering fuel economies of thirty per cent, the
pioneering electro-mechanical propulsion platform marries Feadship’s past experience and
forward thinking approach within a pure custom creation. Further innovation comes in the
form of a floating superstructure, an underwater lounge, the ‘open’ aft deck areas, and much
more besides.
Inspired by the 2010 Feadship Future Concept Breathe, Savannah is a demonstration of the
cost-effective and cleaner mode of propulsion that can be achieved within an entirely
bespoke superyacht. Savannah has a dynamic hull shape with a very fine entry, uses one
efficient medium-speed Wärtsilä main engine instead of two higher-rev diesel motors, a
single central propeller shaft installation on the centreline and three gensets.
Redundancy is ensured by fitting a large contra-rotating and azimuthing sternthruster just aft
of the main propeller. The design of the aft ship allows for a propeller that is forty per cent
larger than the norm. Combined with the power supplied by the thruster, the load on the
propeller is only half that of a conventional twin screw yacht. This again results in a higher
efficiency and fewer vibrations. In addition, the large sternthruster also ensures excellent
manoeuvrability in marinas.
The perfect combination
Taken as a whole, the package offers major benefits in terms of fuel saving and consists of
five modes: manoeuvring, diesel-electrical, range, high speed and boost. This guarantees a
high level of reliability and a better engine load than any other superyacht afloat today. “It is
not the individual technologies used on Savannah that are new in the yachting world – it is
the way they have been combined,” comments the owner’s project manager, Ted
McCumber. “Feadship has leveraged on all the options available in the marine industry
today to bring this hugely innovative system to completion.
“The possibility to choose between diesel, diesel-electric or fully electric is truly exceptional.
Moreover, Savannah is the first yacht in the world to be running with an azipull and a
variable pitch propeller. Only Feadship engineering and the rich experience of this yard
could have successfully concluded a project of such scope and vision,” McCumber
continues.
Floating superstructure
But there is much more to Savannah than her extraordinarily efficient propulsion system.
The exterior profile created in partnership between CG Design and Feadship’s designers
includes a ‘floating superstructure’. The glass and composite panels appear to float thanks to
complex visual trickery involving polished stainless steel strips, aluminium supports and
teak. The stainless steel doors form part of the yacht’s continuous line and also appear to be
floating as part of an immensely complicated design feature.
Open all areas
Another genuinely unique aspect of the exterior of Savannah is the way the aft owner- and
main deck areas have been designed as single giant open inside/outside spaces, enclosed
by weathertight sliding doors. With the sides of the main lounge open, the entire space from
the swimming pool to the salon serves as a comprehensive al fresco experience zone. “The
owner of Savannah loves to be at one with the water,” explains McCumber. “This
phenomenal design allows him to run from the main salon and dive straight into the sea.”
Full metal jacket
The exterior colour scheme is Sea Foam metallic green – Savannah is the first superyacht to
be entirely metallic painted (including the ceilings and fixed deck furniture) with the exception
of the mast domes. Feadship developed a special spray nozzle technique to attain the allmetallic
look which had to be achieved in one sweep to avoid any colour discrepancy. The
outside staircases are jet black and the steps covered in teak.
The interior of Savannah is equally full of surprises. As the second superyacht venture from
the boards of CG Design, the vessel comprises an unrivalled amount of detailing, finishes
and materials throughout. For instance, there are lighting fixtures on the boat with up to ten
different colours, lens types and positions.
Unprecedented facilities
One of the many structural highlights is an ‘underwater lounge’ at port side where guests can
watch the fish outside or turn around and observe the fun and games in the nine-metre
swimming pool. The room, which also converts into a cinema, is another first for a
superyacht and features especially thick glass due to its position in the hull.
In addition to the owner’s stateroom, there are four large guest suites and one VIP stateroom
with a balcony. Savannah also has unprecedented facilities for her 26 crew members and an
exceptionally high-end tender bay finished in teak with a hatch that doubles as a mooring
platform. After docking, guests can walk inside the garage and take the stairs straight up to
the main deck.
Premier performance
“Savannah is a yacht full of premiers,” emphasises Feadship director Henk de Vries. “As the
first ever hybrid superyacht, she offers incredible flexibility in operations and loading of the
power plant. The result is fuel savings of some thirty per cent compared to the best boats
that we have launched to date.
“The way in which one gigantic propeller has been installed in front with another electrically
powered prop in its slipstream has also never been applied on a yacht. A similar system has
been used on board passenger ships in Japan, but that is an ‘industrial’ solution, without the
attention to comfort required on a Feadship. To achieve this on a superyacht entailed an
exceptional degree of cooperation with Wärtsilä and all the other equipment manufacturers.
“Another major innovation is the batteries, which were suggested by the owner. These
provide extra speed at the top end, allow proper loading of the generators at any speed and
facilitate super-quiet cruising at slow speeds without any engines turning. We have installed
Li-ion batteries with no less than one million Watts.
“More than a thousand people have been involved with the creation of Savannah since the
contract was signed at the end of 2011. And the tremendous final result once again shows
how Feadship is never afraid to venture into uncharted waters.”
Savannah will be made available on an exclusive basis for occasional chartering. Interested
parties should contact Feadship Charter directly via +1 954 761 1830
or charter@feadship.nl.
Feadship – Savannah – 25 January 2015 page 4/4
Technical specifications: Savannah
Type: ’Breathe’ hybrid propulsion motoryacht, steel hull with vertical bow
and aluminium superstructure
Length overall: 83.50 m 273’11”
Beam overall: 12.50 m 41’
Draught (loaded): 3.95 m 12’12”
Fuel capacity: 150,000 litres 39,626 US Gallons
Fresh water capacity: 40,000 litres 10,567 US Gallons
Design:
Naval Architect: Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects
Exterior styling: CG Design / Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects
Interior design: CG Design
Power:
Main engines: 1x Wärtsilä 9L20 4stroke@1800kW @1000 rpm
Generators: 1x Caterpillar C32 & 2x Caterpillar C18
Batteries: Corvus 1000 kWh Li-ion
Accommodation:
Owner: Two in owner’s stateroom
Guests: Ten guests in four large guest rooms, one VIP stateroom
Crew: 22/26 crew eight crew cabins, one captain’s cabin, one engineer’s
cabin, two officers’ cabins
Water sports: 2x 9.00m tenders, 1x 15’ tender, wave runners, etc.
About Feadship:
Based in the Netherlands and with roots dating back to 1849, Feadship is recognised as the world
leader in the field of pure custom superyachts. Each Feadship is defined by its superb craftsmanship
and sets the standard in every aspect of design, engineering and construction. These bespoke
motoryachts are created in partnership with owners who are prepared to invest in a wonderful building
experience and reap the rewards for many years to come in terms of both pleasure and re-sale value.
Feadship also operates dedicated charter and refit services exclusively for Feadships.
More information:
Francis Vermeer – PR & Communications Manager
phone +31 23 524 7000 / info@feadship.nl
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