34 wooden metres from Spirit Yachts

With the innovative Slup, Spirit Yachts claims to have created one of the most environmentally friendly superyachts under sail. The British boat builders developed the electric drive together with Torqeedo. A 100-kilowatt motor is designed to propel the Spirit 111 40 nautical miles at eight knots - powered exclusively by electricity from four BMW battery banks totalling 120 kilowatt hours, which are fed by propeller recuperation or two Torqeedo diesel generators. The 25-kilowatt units are connected directly to the 380-volt on-board power supply. Consistent LED lighting and a Webasto system that only heats water when required and stores it in high-density insulated tanks are designed to keep the hotel load low.

The exterior of the Spirit flagship was designed by shipyard CEO Sean McMillan. It is striking that there are no windows in the wooden hull. Fully loaded, the Spirit 111 displaces 65 tonnes, is 6.40 metres wide and has a 4.05 metre deep fixed keel with an iron fin. The rudder blade, mast and furling boom (hall spars) are made of carbon, which provide 450 square metres of sail area downwind.

For the interior, Spirit Yachts collaborated with Rhoades Young, who continued the circular layout of the cockpit in the living areas below deck. A continuous bulkhead in the shape of an S-curve runs through the saloon and the owner's area in the bow, paving the way for a curvy layout. There are hardly any edges in the three double guest cabins either; everything is curved and the beds resemble nests. Seating areas and bed headboards made of American walnut provide accents. Instead of light switches, motion sensors and GPS time modules control the lighting.

The owner has dispensed with crew cabins altogether. He commissioned Cornelsen & Partner with the project management and would like to spend the winter season on his Spirit 111 after successful test runs.