Archipelago 80 Yacht, First Superyacht From Archipelago Yachts

Three-year-old Archipelago Yachts focuses on power catamarans for bluewater cruising and exploration. It now has its first superyacht and a new flagship, the Archipelago 80 yacht. Under contract for an undisclosed customer, the project is especially for ocean travel, plus owners who like to operate their own vessels.

Archipelago Yachts founder, Stephen Weatherley, created the company out of frustration, unable to find a yacht suiting his preferences. He wanted a yacht for heading from England to the Isle of Wight, capable of the crossing yet also capable of some good speed. Day tripping and fishing were especially high priorities, which necessitated speed. Displacement yachts certainly could handle the voyage, but didn’t offer the rest of the performance. In meeting Chartwell Marine, a naval-architecture studio in Southampton, England, Weatherley learned more about catamarans. Together, they created and launched Archipelago Yachts’ first model, the Archipelago 47.

With the Archipelago 80 yacht, once again Chartwell Marine is contributing naval architecture. Specifically, it’s using a proven hull form from the offshore wind industry. It therefore can handle a variety of seas and weather conditions. It further can take on 5,283 gallons (20,000 liters) of fuel and should see a top speed of 30 knots with diesel-electric propulsion system. Solar panels should produce about 20 kW of energy for a separate battery bank, too, for hotel loads. Notably, Archipelago Yachts offers optional propulsion packages, too, such as diesels with waterjets.

Although the shipyard hasn’t indicated how many staterooms will be on hull number one, overall up to 12 guest get accommodations in the series. All staterooms are in the hulls, as are the crew cabins, the galley, and a laundry/workspace. As you’d expect of a catamaran, the Archipelago 80 yacht has an ample, open-plan saloon taking advantage of the 26-foot (11-meter) beam. What Archipelago terms a “day galley,” as well as a bar, serve the saloon, with another bar and entertaining space on the wheelhouse balcony.

Interestingly, while the megayacht’s aft deck has a bar, it’s also a working cockpit. Archipelago Yachts includes a knuckle-boom, 16-ton-capacity Palfinger crane for launching a personal sub, an amphibious vehicle, or even a 20-foot-long (6-meter-long) container. Naturally, the shipyard and Chartwell Marine are reinforcing the deck area and including tie-down points. Should other clients prefer an entirely leisure area, however, sunpads, loose furnishings, and/or fishing gear are all possible. Either way, watertoys like RIBs and PWCs can stow on the bows’ platform, launching via a standard davit.

Overall, even further features are possible for the series. For instance, the Archipelago 80 yacht can have a helipad, or stowage handled by the knuckle-boom crane, on the roof. In the standard design, solar panels install on the roof. Additionally, owners wanting to reduce fuel consumption more can request a paravane, an underwater “wing.” Purely for fun, meanwhile, a hot tub can sit forward of the wheelhouse.

Weatherley is delighted with the development of this owner-operated project. “The vessel was designed for a visionary owner who shares out passion for pushing the boundaries of boating,” he says. “I am very excited to see this project come to life and welcome the customer onboard for some unforgettable journeys at sea.”

Archipelago Yachts archipelago-yachts.co.uk