Described by Boat International as “one of the world’s most amazing super yachts, that could spell the future for efficient long range cruising”, the striking 42.5m Trimaran Adastra was launched on the 11th of April 2012 in China for Hong Kong clients Anto and Elaine Marden.
The giant Adastra is a three-hulled made-to-order yacht that cost $15million to make
Adastra is the result of meticulous attention to detail and innovative design to create a yacht that meets the needs of a very experienced ocean voyaging couple and their family, and to provide the level of comfort and style expected in a yacht of this class and size. No effort has been spared in the challenge to produce a beautiful yacht that has exceptionally low fuel consumption and yet provides excellent sea keeping qualities and luxurious accommodation.
Measurements taken during the sea trials show that her fuel consumption at 10.5 knots is as low as 17 litres per hour when carrying 10% fuel and water. At cruising load (20 tonnes fuel and water) she uses just 25 litres per hour therefore on delivery trips her range is 10,000 miles starting with 30,000 litres of fuel. Her slender hulls and streamlined exterior allow her to travel faster in the open ocean and at 17 knots she has a 4,000 mile range so can comfortably cross both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans at hi-speed.
Futuristic: The main deck area looks more like that on a spaceship than a boat
Adastra takes the power trimaran concept further than has ever been attempted before, previous vessels like Earthrace and Cable and Wireless were stripped out record breaking machines. The challenge of turning this concept into a viable luxury yacht has led us to further research and develop new thinking on stability and comfort at sea for this type of craft. Extensive tank testing and radio controlled model tests in waves have been carried out to analyse stability and performance. Outrigger height has been optimised for ease of motion at sea, and a new outrigger shape has been developed to increase stability in waves.
We have undertaken state of the art structural analysis of all the major components in the yacht in order to achieve the light weight required for very low fuel consumption. The deck and superstructure is constructed from carbon fibre with Nomex honeycomb core, the hull is glass/kevlar foam sandwich and the interior is light weight oak cabinetry using honeycomb panels. To help reduce weight further, virtually every aspect of the boat is custom built. This includes carbon fibre hatches, toilets, portlights and ladders, which are all built specifically for the vessel.
Into the sunset: The yacht has an integrated ship monitoring system, and can even be controlled with an Apple iPad within a 50-metre range
Aerodynamics and hydrodynamics above the water line were carefully considered as we developed the overall exterior shape and we kept the boat streamlined both for air and water passing over the structure. The smooth seamless, unbroken surfaces also help to reduce weight as the outer-skin forms part of the structure to absorb torsional loads.
