More length and comfort for less gross tonnage

Van Oossanen Naval Architects has based the new XL-300 Sport concept on its Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF), but as first outlined in The Superyacht Report #172, the XL platform provides distinct advantages:

“It offers maximum length, superior comfort and the highest performance with the possibility of creating the longest yachts ever within the 200, 300 or 500gt boundaries,” says Perry van Oossanen (pictured, above left, with co-director Niels Moerke). “An increase in length of 20% will result in 10% more interior space and 30-40% more exterior deck area, creating unprecedented exterior lounge, pool and sunbathing areas. So it is possible to have a 45-plus-metre yacht with a two-metre draft that reaches close to 30 knots for less than 300gt.”

Milanese designer Federico Fiorentino has developed the exterior styling to suit the concept's sporty vocation. “I gave this yacht a contemporary sleek and sharp look that perfectly combines with the lightness of its generous open spaces,” he says. “An aggressive attitude reflects the high performance hull that lies below the waterline.”

Thom Conboy, President of the Americas for OCEAN Independence, will represent Van Oossanen and Fiorentino to promote the XL-300 Sport, which has interior design by Cristiano Gatto.

“It’s really exiting to be working with Van Oossanen, Fiorentino and Gatto on such a cool project, which has an amazing potential for the US market,”  says Conboy.

In the wake of its FHDF, first introduced on the 65m Heesen Galactica Star, and its patented Hull Vane, Van Oossanen Naval Architects is widely regarded as a forward-thinking team looking to accelerate the pace of innovation.

“Our approach has been to develop the naval architecture around the perceived needs of the market, rather than the other way round,” says Perry. ”Most designers are locked into the existing layout solutions provided by conventional hull forms, but we don’t believe these always meet the evolving expectations of the market.”

The XL concept emerged from Van Oossanen's research into the standard distribution of interior and exterior volumes, and the studio has stretched the concept up to 62m with a beam of 9m while remaining below the 500gt threshold. Remarkably for a 60m hull with high-speed potential, the draft remains at 2m or less while offering interior volume equal to a conventional 500gt yacht. Of course, the modest gross tonnage also has the benefit of costing less to build.

The XL-300 will provide accommodation for 10 guest in five staterooms, including a main-deck owner’s cabin, with the crew quarters in the bow. Key features include a helipad on the foredeck, an aft-deck infinity pool and a side-loading garage able to house two Jet Skis and a 6.25m tender. With an aluminium hull and superstructure built to Lloyd’s/ABS standards and LY3 compliance, the power package would comprise twin 2600hp MTU 16V2000 M96L engines for a top speed of 29 knots and a maximum cruising range of 3,500 nautical miles at 12 knots. Stabilisation at anchor and under way would be provided by a pair of gyroscopes with active interceptors.

At the Monaco Yacht Show, Rossinavi will present its own 55m XL concept also developed in collaboration with Van Oossanen.

Photo credit: portrait image by Justin Ratcliffe

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Van Oossanen Naval Architects

OCEAN Independence

Cristiano Gatto Design

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