What defines an Expedition Yacht?

Thought this might be a good question.

Attached should be the superyacht Coral Island. It has two tenders stored on the bottom deck.

If you were off explorering the seven seas, would this use of deck space effect you and your guest.... Plus a vessel could have more tender space under this deck as well (in hull tender bay)....?

If it was a pure pleasure boat sure I can see it taking up room, but off explorering, the vessel could now offer twice the toys....?

Love to hear peoples thoughts on this one. Cheers

Far

I have asked myself the same question many times as tender/toy storage on the main deck aft of expedition yachts is quite common.

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/oceanfast-yacht/2342-oceanfast-sea-bowld.html#post7860

One of my favorite pass times when on board is lounging aft when docked stern to so I can take in all the activities on the quay up close and personal.



On yachts as large as Coral Island there are higher decks where lounging aft is possible although you are not as close to the action as when on the main deck.

Apparently Coral Island's owner places a higher priority on using the main deck aft for easy tender/toy storage and deployment than rubber necking and having quick and easy access to ice cream and shopping.

Actually that pic was taken during a storm producing 25 knot winds and 10 foot swells.

http://www.nordhavn.com/news/articles/NA_Rally.pdf

The 42.5 meter ice classed Feadship Royal Van Lent Andiamo http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/general-trawler-discussion/3287-expedition-yachts-3.html#post15161 is the quintessential expedition yacht having completed a 10 year 130,000 mile global exploration of the planet that included such out of the way places as Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Metamami River, Wabag, Timor-Leste, the Sepik River, Borneo, Galapagos, and Vanuatu.

She won the 2003 ShowBoats Design Award for the Best Full Displacement Superyacht under 45 meters.

Her nitrox system enhanced the safety of the 2,000 dives that were made during the circumnavigation.

The eight person hot tub on her sundeck enabled guests to warm up after cold dives.

Andiamo has a new owner so it remains to be seen what new adventures await this globe trotting super yacht!

Hi,

Whilst a wee bit different from BR V there has been RTW Trips done by EOS and ATHENA in recent times as far as I am aware.

The A&R sailing yacht Alithia might be mentioned also. She did a spectacular 2 year circumnavigation with a complete family (with 4 or 5 young children and their teachers).

Borkumriff IV is a different story. When the project was started, her owner Bill v.F. was already ravaged by disease. But he was able to fulfill his dream in building this beautiful ship and had some nice cruises with it. I have to express my high esteem to his family, for keeping this jewel within the family and in such a good condition.

"Expedition" is as much about the process as the yacht...

Yesterday I posted at http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/y...3992-off-topic-winter-wheels-whatever-78.html about an "expedition" aircraft... because I figured an aviation related post doesn't belong here.

Having slept on it (and travelled to many exotic places in this bird while dreaming) I realized that the whole "expedition" concept is as much about the process as the vessel/destination.

The video from my other post (2005 SEAWIND 3000 For Sale - YouTube) highlights some great locations and beautiful shots... but what impresses me is the fact that this guy not only sorted out the navigation end of it, but also all the logistics (fuel, accommodations), weather (ATC doesn't exist where he went), and so forth. The aircraft is very purpose built (which is part of what the "What is an Expedition Yacht?" topic addresses), but I think the process surrounding the use of the beast defines "expedition" as much as anything.

I think a parallel consideration is key to defining an "Expedition Yacht". True adventurers don't just top off the tanks and toss off the dock lines... they plan and replan and make contingency plans, and train, and make modifications, and sometimes spend more time preparing than actually executing.

What do you all think?

Expedition/Explorer Yacht

I have learned a lot from this thread and it has changed my ideas of the perfect expedition / explorer yacht. I have come to the conclusion that there is no perfect can do anything yacht / boat / ship.

If you try to construct an expedition type yacht, which can go anywhere, from artic to tropic waters, which can withstand the harshest weather, take all the toys, tenders, cars, planes, helos and subs, you might think, you need for your expedition and still be able to enter the famous hotspots in the Med or in the Caribbean, you might find out, that this ideal ship is far to big and most likely far to ugly (form follows function) to be med moored in Port Hercules or St. Maarten.

Most of the above mentioned tenders and toys do not like to be stored on deck. Planes, helos and cars suffer to much in the salty air and spray of the seven seas. You need enclosed below deck storage or garages for them. But storage space you need for machinery, cabins and crew on your yacht.

All that combined in one ship is a no go. My solution for that problem is, why building one expensive giant, that can do anything, if you can have two ships / yachts both ideal for its purpose, but for less total money. One nice looking yacht (only build a bit stronger) of reasonible size plus one purpose build shadow boat with the necessary extra crew space and cargo holds / garages for everything you need or want.

I know, this is not an invention of mine and has been done before. But I had to take this learning process with the great input of this forum.

To either convert an existing cargo ship (especially, if you have one to your disposal) or modify the existing plans of one and build it new, plus a normal yacht, is much cheaper than building a large multi purpose expedition yacht.

If you come back from your remote areas to your favorite hotspot, your shadow will peel off to the next commercial pier and your yacht can play the queen of the harbour.

For example this or this plus this. Remember, empty steel is cheap!!

I would not have a problem going stern to on the Allure Shadow any where in the world.

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/boat-shows-yacht-watching/17290-fort-lauderdale-international-boat-show-2011-a-3.html#post138454

Shadow Marine - Allure Shadow

Allure Shadow or Mystere Shadow or even Bartender are typical shadows of large sailing yachts or racing boats like J-class. For long range deep sea operation and handling of delicate tenders, I like more freeboard.

You would not believe, how cheap one of those feeder ships can be build or aquired second hand on the market. Refit or conversion is the most expensive.

But you are correct, Shadow Marine is a great adress for one of those conversions.

discokachina, I was talking to a builder about this and he wasn't to keen on having a second storage on this deck level (space wasted). As it was a 50m explorer, storage is limited as there's a helipad above this deck as well. There is still a lounge area on the aft deck for viewing of whatever the destination was.

What about launching tenders from the bow, are crew keen on this when there's 20knots blowing through, thought it would be a bit more protected in the aft area...?

Cheers

Far

HTM09,
I think you are on the right track as far as the primary "yacht" with a "support ship". You simply cannot get everything into a yacht and fit into any of the Tony areas. The support boat needs to be able to take all the extras... car, helicopter, tenders, sports equipment, electric golf carts... and some stores for the yacht, etc etc... Then the yacht is not hampered by equipment and extra crew... and all the handling issues. I do agree the support boat needs to be able to store much of it inside rather than on deck. The ones I have seen are all mainly deck storage... a mistake for real exploration travels. Salt spray is not the best thing from most of the equipment. I have thought along the same lines as you are now for some time.

The other issue around my house when this gets discussed is quiet enjoyment. [Though discussed rarely as all the ladies are older; none have ever learned to swim; all are afraid at some level of the water, and; all seem to get sea sick easily.] That means minimum of disruption from non personal service issues. This means they do not like intrusions of extraneous to the service staff in their home... or home away from home. The support boat allows these distractions to not happen in the "home".

But I see a problem as far as costs. Using my situation as example. To explain right now my situation is that I can have the boat but it is my "hobby boat". So it can be sail powered and be sailed with the deck off of horizontal. As no one but me, the crew and usually male family members, guests or the kids go out for a day sail this works. A couple days away is all that ever happens... at most. However, to get the rest of the family involved (in my case) requires buy in by the ladies. Earlier this season the "boat" came up and actually was seriously discussed. I showed some videos to get reactions... 40m too small... 45m too small... not comfortable with... 60m about right. So I realized this put the whole thing out of my reach. As I could not afford the 60m and the support boat... actually I could not afford the 60m new anyway. So I am stuck going out with friends or male family which means very close to home... no around the world travels... but I am probably not up for that really either... So occasionally chartering what everyone likes makes sense in my case. And, this finds much support in the family.

But this thread has gotten me to thinking too. Maybe I should just go back and have only the old fold up kayak. I really enjoy that contact with the sea and isolation. But I don't think I am up to crossing the English Channel again with rather nasty conditions in a kayak either. So if ever see an old broke down man paddling around the marina taking pictures of your boat... don't have the crew blind me with the laser!

Ok... here is another take on the expedition yacht!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ubt8AWa7SU
sea kayaking

Sea Kayak Sailing Performance - YouTube
exploring a river channel

Sea Kayak Sailing, Tasmania - YouTube
Old guys off of Tasmania

Sea Kayak Sailing, Tasmania - YouTube
Younger guys off of Tasmania

Lets put it this way... its all good until... when the weather kicks up and you got a nice 3-4 meter chop... its night... raining... dark as hell... you realize should either long for life ashore or a big boat... or start thinking Davy Jones can't really be that bad... after all

Time for my before dinner nap.

Mrs Mueller Sold it .. when ?