Oceanco's Black Pearl and DAR have taken home awards at the 2019 Boat International Design & Innovation Awards.
Oceanco's 106.7 m Black Pearl won the award for "Best Naval Architecture for Sailing Yachts." The Black Pearl, the largest sailing yacht in the world, is a veritable tour de force, incorporating high tech design, an updated state-of-the art DynaRig sailing system, single level engine room, a hybrid propulsion installation and high capacity battery bank allowing for a regeneration mode when under sail.
Its hull design is created with a unique wave-piercing bow that is both aesthetically appealing and fuel-efficient. Naval Architecture is by Dykstra Naval Architects and Lateral Naval Architects assisted with systems engineering and weight management as well as elements of structural and general engineering.
Crossing the Atlantic without Using Fuel
The Black Pearl is capable of crossing the Atlantic without using any fuel. Under sail power, the yacht can regenerate enough energy to power full house load, obviating the need to run generators. The Black Pearl's hybrid propulsion system also has the ability to regenerate energy, as well as on board systems, such as the waste heat recovery system allowing further gains in overall energy efficiency.
Best Exterior Styling Award for DAR
At the same event, the DAR, with exterior design by DeBasto Design and interior by Nuvolari Lenard, took home the Judges' Commendation Award for Best Exterior Styling for Motor Yachts 60m and Above. Criteria for the Exterior Design Award involve aesthetics and innovation. DAR's exterior is sporty, elegant, and high tech. The profile has a unique sense of contrast and homogeneity between the dark glass and the white balconies, providing a constant exchange in shape and lines between the two elements.
DAR (by Smiley.toerist).
400 m2 of Glass
The biggest challenge, but also the highlight of the exterior design is the unprecedented glass surface of the superstructure, designed as one continuous surface stretching from the Main Deck to the Sun Deck. All the glass is glued to the structure with no use of mechanical fasteners, which requires a very high level of precision. Almost 400 m2 of glass was used on DAR's superstructure. It is not lightweight, but on the flip side it replaces the usual amount of metal of the conventional superstructures.
'The strength of the glass has been calculated taking into account the motions in a seaway,' says Oceanco Project Manager Erwin de Looff. 'The movement of the panels relative to the adjoining panels has been calculated for every single panel. The glue process has been developed by the supplier and approved by Lloyd's to ensure the mounting of the glass was to the highest standards. Indeed, the whole superstructure has been approved by Lloyd's, including the glass.'
The specially treated glass affords the owners privacy from the outside and at the same time yields incredible views from the inside looking out. Views and a connection to the sea have been important design elements throughout. For instance, the Upper Deck has glass bulwarks that allow for total visibility of the water when seated.
The 2019 Boat International Design & Innovation Awards that took place on the 27th of January in Cortina.
Picture (top): The Black Pearl (by Kees Torn).
