OCEAN 39 PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2011

Star quality

Antares III, the latest composite sloop to emerge from New Zealand’s Yachting Developments yard, is further proof that one of the world’s smallest yacht building nations is also one of its best.

Photography by Chris Lewis

Given New Zealanders proudly declare they have more sailboats per head than any other nation on the globe, it’s not surprising that the locals have a zeal bordering on fanatacism when it comes to things that sail. Kiwis take pride in punching above their weight in the global yacht building business, producing everything from sailing dinghies and harbour day racers to the fastest and toughest ocean racing yachts in the world. In recent times these have included high-tech composite construction of the stunning new Volvo 70 Camper for the Volvo Ocean race, and of course the growing fleet of AC45 catamarans for the America’s Cup teams training and competing in the lead up to the next battle for the Auld Mug.

So perhaps it’s not surprising that the area in which Kiwis really hit above their weight in global yacht building terms is that of sailing superyacht construction. With a fine collection of yards in Greater Auckland alone, some specialising in alloy builds and some in composite, and with a well trained and highly experienced local workforce of maritime tradesmen of all arts nautique, New Zealand has really made its mark in construction of quality sailing superyachts of a truly world-class standard. Kiwi yards such as Alloy Yachts, Fitzroy, McMullen & Wing, and Yachting Developments - which recently launched Antares III – are well respected brands in the world of supersailing.

It’s strange to think of a vessel with the presence and elegance of Antares III to be a ‘downsize’ yacht, but this new 30-metre performance cruising sloop recently emerged from Yachting Developments is just that; a downscaled version of the owners’ previous vessel, the 40-metre Antares, which was felt to be too impersonal and require too large a crew.

Prior to Yachting Developments beginning their summer vacation over Christmas 2009, Yachting Development’s MD Ian Cook flew to Europe to meet with the owner and returned bearing the good news that the company would be commencing a new build in a matter of weeks. Given the state of the economy at the time, it was the perfect way for any yard to end the year. Cook was able to send the staff off on holidays knowing that when they returned it would be full steam ahead on an exciting new build, though with a construction period of under 400 days unprecedented for a boat of this size and quality, it was be a tough brief.

The owner’s decision to build in New Zealand was decided partly by the limited choice in high quality composite shipyards worldwide, and the even more limited choice of yards with the facilities to deliver Antares III within such a tight timeframe. With multiple award-winning builds of a similar size, and a reputation for quality composite builds, Yachting Developments was selected.

Both Antares III and the owner’s previous yacht were designed by Dixon Yacht Design, which also helped facilitate a smooth build process. Having the owner’s representative Patrick Yeoward on site also played a big part. The owner also visited the project and took the opportunity to enjoy the nature and beauty of New Zealand on three occasions during the build period. For Yeoward, this was the third new build for the same owner, so he knew him well enough to be able to make the right decisions quickly on his behalf, which every yard treasures particularly when details and variations need a quick and clear resolution so as to maintain a delivery schedule.

When Antares III was launched, the weather of strong winds and rain were not ideal, but the operation went smoothly and was completed on schedule.

“They say that things run like a Swiss watch,” said Yeoward after the event. “Well that will have to be rephrased to a Yachting Developments launch. The rig was stepped on time. The boom loaded on time, moored up on time. All involved from the owner’s side would like to congratulate Ian Cook and his team at Yachting Developments for a great job.”

Twin carbon helms with full instrumentation leave no doubt as to Antares’ performance credentials, but guests won’t go short on comforts in that sheltered cockpit lounge.

BUILT TO ORDER
Bill Dixon, of Dixon Yacht Design, was also bathing in the glow of a successfully completed brief.

“Comfort and performance in equal measure were the requirements,” said Dixon. “Antares III is a powerful yacht but capable of being sailed with a relatively small crew. Composite construction keeps weight down and allows us to fully exploit additional interior volume in crucial areas of the accommodation. Weight considerations have also affected the choice of rig – the carbon rig and rigging, as well as obviously reducing weight aloft, will also increase stability.”

Comfort starts on deck, which is designed to have different socialising areas including aft deck seating, the guest cockpit itself, and additional informal seating forward in the foredeck tender recess. The interior layout focuses very much on the split level pilothouse, while the aft windows and door fold away to give a cohesive indoor / outdoor living space incorporating the guest cockpit. All superstructure glazing on board was custom-made by Glasshape Specialist Glass products under their DuraShield Superyacht Glass banner. Each window was carefully digitised to create the perfect flowing curves that help to make Antares’ lines so attractive.

The pilothouse configuration allows the integration of a seriously spacious and very practically designed engine room, with full standing headroom making engine and systems maintenance easy.

The keel-stepped carbon mast (left of picture) intrudes surprisingly little on the saloon area.

INSIDE JOB
The challenge for interior design studio Rhoades Young was to create a classy and very contemporary look for Antares III, while avoiding the usual maritime stylistic cliches.

“We combined modern furniture detailing and strong formal architectural symmetries with warm traditional woods and careful upholstery detailing” says Jonathan Rhoades, who married blonde teak with a horizontal grain with wide walnut planked floors to create the look he wanted. This effect, teamed with upholstered wall panels, has enabled Rhoades to create an architectural balance that emphasises the clear and simple layout of this 30-metre yacht.

Rhoades Young designed the accommodation plan to include an upper and lower saloon with two guest staterooms aft on either side of the central companionway. The owner’s cabin with private access to the aft cockpit is spacious and boasts plenty of natural light thanks to the generous skylights. The well-appointed ensuite is more spacious than you would expect aboard a yacht of this size. Forward of the galley and crew mess is accommodation for four crew. The whole interior was built in-house by Yachting Developments tradesmen, and is a testament to the quality and attention to detail for which the yard is known.

Blonde teak with a horizontal grain updates a classic maritime look for Antares’ master stateroom.

UNDER THE SKIN
Antares III was built to comply with strict Germanischer Lloyd classification requirements and also meets MCA LY2 short range regulations. The vessel is incredibly strong, yet 25-30 per cent lighter than similar vessels built in aluminium, thanks to the use of advanced composite materials. The high-tech structure is post-cure epoxy Eglass/Carbon/Kevlar incorporating high strength foam sandwich technology. The hull has a Kevlar outer skin for increased impact resistance.

The use of Lithium-ion battery banks on board allows the yacht’s generators to shut down for long periods of time without affecting passenger comfort. The batteries are able to fully charge in just three hours and can allow for up to six hours sailing time or for the yacht to shut down overnight if desired, however shut down time is reduced if HVAC or ovens are in use.

“When you are in a beautiful, deserted bay, the last thing you want to hear is the noise of an engine going in the background,” points out Patrick Yeoward.
Sea trials indicated that the shut down time achieved from the batteries was in fact longer than expected, with the onboard hydraulics systems being the biggest power drain.

The vessel sports a state-of-the-art keel-stepped carbon fibre mast, furling carbon boom and carbon fibre standing rigging, all of which were manufactured in New Zealand by Southern Spars. The sails too were manufactured in New Zealand, by North Sails. The mainsheet is attached to an arch located aft, keeping it well clear of the passengers and crew. The generous sail plan gives an upwind area of 453 square metres and a downwind of 800 square metres ; the owner and crew were extremely happy with the vessel’s performance. Under power Antares III cruises at 11 knots and has a motoring range of around 3,600 nautical miles.

The nav station in the raised pilothouse benefits from all round views.

JOB DONE
“Antares III has been a very enjoyable project, the Yachting Developments team thrived on the challenge and to build such a high quality custom superyacht in that timeframe is remarkable,” said Ian Cook. “Only three full weekends of overtime were required and we still shut down over the Christmas period. It was made possible by the combined team effort of Yachting Developments staff and management. It is a great boat, and I know the owner and crew will enjoy sailing it as much as we enjoyed building it”

Antares III was handed over to her owner two weeks after launch, and at the time of print is no doubt being enjoyed by her lucky owners on her maiden cruise in the South Pacific. Current projects underway at Yachting Developments include a major refit of the iconic J-Class Endeavour, and new custom build YD66, and a 30-metre Warwick sailing cat.

Full story at yachtingdevelopments.co.nz