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266ft schooner due for delivery next month
The three-masted Royal Huisman schooner, Sea Eagle II, has successfully completed its sail trials in readiness for its upcoming delivery.
Earlier this year, Sea Eagle II, designed by Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whiteley, was transferred from the shipyard’s headquarters in Vollenhove and launched in Amsterdam. Her three carbon Rondal masts and booms were installed and tuned at Royal Huisman’s Amsterdam facility. The 81m (266ft) contemporary schooner was on schedule for her delivery date, but Covid-19 restrictions in the Netherlands prevented the finishing touch – trials on the North Sea – from being completed.
Nearly all board systems, such as gensets, air conditioning, waste water treatment and electronics, were thoroughly tested in the year prior to launch to avoid any surprises during the commissioning stage. Strict Covid-19 regulations and detailed protocols introduced in spring eventually allowed the team to safely “pick up where they left off” in these extraordinary times. The sail handling and remaining propulsion systems were successfully tested and signed off during recent trials, which even during testing gave very promising insights into this yacht’s capabilities.
According to the builder, speeds of over 21kt can be achieved by powering up Sea Eagle II’s Rondal rig, which can carry over 3,500sq m of sail area evenly distributed over her carbon Panamax masts. The full sail area is controlled by 34 winches from sailing system integrator Rondal. The largest winches – for the yankee, staysail sheets and mizzen sheet runners – are capable of 18 tonnes (18,000kg) pulling load.
Royal Huisman’s largest yacht ever was commissioned by the owner of the 43m (142ft) sloop Sea Eagle (Royal Huisman, 2015). Sea Eagle II features a plumb bow, ensuring she is not only powerful but recognisable all over the world.
Delivery is scheduled for July 2020.
ibinews.com
