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Displaying items by tag: Luxury Expedition Yacht

#LuxuryExpeditionYacht – Seawolf, a 58m five-star luxury adventure expedition superyacht, once known as the hardest working ocean-going tug in the world called to Cork City quays this morning, writes Jehan Ashmore.

The 850 tonnes luxury vessel converted from the tug Smit Clyde launched in the Netherlands in 1957 had sailed overnight from Glengariff, the attractive anchorage that is also drawing a rising number of cruiseship callers.

During her days as Smit Clyde the vessel's global towage career proved her worth through a combination of strength and endurance that would gain her the respect and admiration of mariners worldwide.

A notable long-distance tow was that of simultaneous tow of two United States Navy aircraft carriers from Boston to Japan in 1968.

Due to her size, Seawolf which has three decks of luxurious facilities having been completely redesigned and rebuilt in 2002 docked along North Custom Quay rather than the adjacent Cork City Marina, from where the 38m motoryacht Katrion paid a call earlier in the summer.

Seawolf which had an overhaul in 2009 has accommodation for 12 guests that consists of a master VIP double, 6 staterooms, double and single twins. This is four more guests than Katrion which for the last month has remained in Dublin Port berthed at the Poolbeg Yacht & Boat Club Marina though she is understood to be departing tomorrow.

As to be expected of an adventure ship, she carries an array of tender craft and leisure toys to choose between. There are kayaks, a 29ft Hereschoff sailboat, a pair of Optima sailboats, wind surfers, adult and children's wake board & water skis, scuba equipment. Plus should anyone fancy trying out some sports fishing tackle that's included.

She has a speed of 12 knots and this is delivered from a JK Smit-Man engine and generators (2 x Scania 220kw and a single Scania 260kw). A 12,000 nautical mile range is achieved by consuming 22,000 litres of fuel.

Also sharing North Custom Quay is appropriately the tug Celtic Isle. The 31m Irish-flagged 400 tonnes vessel built in Japan is operated by the Cork based Mainport Group.

Published in Superyachts

About the TP52 Racing Yacht

The TP52 racing yacht is a remarkable example of cutting-edge technology in the world of competitive yachting. Measuring 52 feet (15.85 metres) in length, this vessel is constructed entirely from carbon fibre, making it an incredibly light and agile craft.

The TP52 features a 6.25-metre high rig, complete with a fractional asymmetrical spinnaker and a self-tacking jib. This design reduces the workload of the crew, allowing for more efficient manoeuvres and freeing up the crew to focus on the mainsheet upwind and on two-sail reaches.

The spinnaker rigging set-up, measuring 15.00 m2, presents a challenge to even the most experienced crews, requiring them to be fit and perfectly coordinated. Maneuvering the boat requires athleticism due to the vessel's lack of inherent stability and the high speed generated by the fully battened mainsail and jib.

The TP52's hull is constructed of fibreglass-reinforced polyester in a foam sandwich layout, resulting in a weight of just 74kg. The fully battened mainsail and jib are made from a transparent Mylar laminate with orange or red Dacron trimming, while the spinnaker is manufactured from ripstop Nylon.

The mast is made up of three parts, featuring an aluminium bottom and middle section, with a polyester-fibreglass composite tip to increase mast bend and decrease overall weight. The capsizing moment, which can be generated by a heavy mast tip, is also reduced through this design. The TP52's foils are constructed from either aluminium or fibreglass, depending on the specific requirements of the vessel.

Overall, the TP52 racing yacht is an exceptional example of the latest advancements in yacht design and technology. Its lightweight construction, advanced rigging, and high-speed capabilities make it a top contender in the world of competitive yachting, challenging even the most skilled and experienced crews.