British Naval Architecture firm, Lateral, have today released details of a magical new technical platform for a mystery new project named Project Sleigh Rider. Having been developed in secrecy, the new project is scheduled for delivery to a mystery buyer later this month.

Details of the client remain under tight non-disclosure; but, Lateral Naval Architects have given a sneak peek at the technical platform that underpins this exciting new build project.

The engineering of the yacht presented the Southampton based company with several significant challenges. “The operational profile of the yacht is highly unusual, spending 364 days a year moored in extreme high latitudes, and then being used on an intensive world-wide cruise over the course of a 24-hour period, demanding a total rethink of propulsion and energy generation technologies,” says managing director, James Roy.

 “The operational profile of the yacht is highly unusual, spending 364 days a year moored in extreme high latitudes, and then being used on an intensive world-wide cruise over the course of a 24-hour period, demanding a total rethink of propulsion and energy generation technologies."

- James Roy, Managing Director, Lateral Naval Architects

This factor became the primary focus for the company resulting in the development of a new energy architecture and propulsion concept. Simon Brealey, principal mechanical engineer comments, “We spent a significant amount of research and development time investigating radical options, and our final choice coming down to a system powered either by reindeers or unicorns.

“It was a tough call, but we concluded that the technology readiness level of unicorns being very limited, and the choice of reindeers offering the greatest flexibility,” he continues. “The advanced system incorporates future technology Pixie dust power converters driving pudding motors via superconducting fairy-light cabling.”

Additionally, the structural development of the yacht has also been a significant challenge. “The yacht has some unusual functional requirements in relation to the loading and unloading of large quantities of toys and other luxurious gifts,” says Andy Douglas, principal structural engineer. “The large shell openings and high deck loadings have demanded Lateral research new structural materials, and following extensive laboratory testing a new high tensile form of Norwegian Spruce has been created."

The yacht is in the final stages of construction and due for delivery to its owner on the 24th of December, when she will embark on her inaugural world-wide cruise. Lateral has revealed under tight confidentiality that the yacht will be in your area on the evening of the 24th or early morning of the 25th.

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Lateral Naval Architects

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