#superyacht – Even seasoned observers are gobsmacked at the sheer size of the 46–metre (150–foot) Superyacht Christopher berthed at Ireland's biggest marina in Dun Laoghaire harbour marina this morning. Dwarfing the 500–local craft moored around it, and at twice the size of the biggest visiting race boats for this Saturday's Round Ireland race, the dark blue hulled Ron Holland Design cruising ketch which has arrived in overnight from Belfast is an impressive sight in the flesh. Now berthed close to the western edge of Dun Laoghaire's five gold anchor marina the superyacht crew are here to 'enjoy all the delights that Dun Laoghaire and Dublin City have to offer'.
Builders Pendennis say the Cayman Islands registered Christopher 'celebrates classic traditions yet embraces new sailing technologies performing equally well as a beautiful family 'home from home' and a performance sailing cruiser'.
The arrival has prompted much speculation about whether Christopher is the largest ever private yacht to visit the east coast port. In a throwback to Victorian times, when Dun Laoghaire was at the centre of yachting devlopment there were a number of very large yachts moored here. For example, in a recent blog by WM Nixon on the subject, the 1865-built schooner Egeria was one of the most successful boats owned by a Royal St George YC member during the halcyon years at the height of the Victorian era, when the club's yacht fleet tonnage was one of the largest in the world. But even Egeria's 100–foot is no match for Christopher.
Innovative technology included twin rudders, a pivoting keel and powerful rig and carbon rigging that provided performance as well as a shallow draft, and infra-red shielding in all windows reducing heat transfer into the accommodation thereby minimizing air con requirements. Her twin balanced rudders are a departure for a large cruising yacht and have been incorporated to maximise sailing performance in strong wind conditions and to allow space for a large Williams Turbojet 505D tender in the lazarette.
The retractable centre board was manufactured using precise CNC systems and when lowered, 'bomb bay' closing doors are deployed to reduce turbulence along the keel bottom.
This is also the first Ron Holland Design Yacht to incorporate all carbon fibre rigging. Another first is the deletion of any mizzen mast jumper strut and stays. This detailing has set a benchmark for improving the sailing performance of large cruising yachts.
The yacht was in Falmouth in the Autumn of 2013 for a winter refit, due to be completed before competing in the 2014 Pendennis Cup. Works include a Lloyd's annual survey; rejuvenating teak cladding and deck; hydraulic system checks and minor interior adjustments.
Pendennis Sailing yacht Christopher Features:
LOA 46m (150.9ft)
Draft 3.8m (12.5ft keel up), 9.4m (31ft keel down)
Beam 9.5m (31.2ft)
Naval Architects Ron Holland Design
Interior Design Ron Holland Design & Pendennis
Owner's Representative Duane MacPhail, Palm Beach Yachts International
