British sailing yacht builder Sprit Yachts has unveiled the final designs for its 34m Spirit 111 superyacht, prior to its scheduled launch this summer. Described by the shipyard as ‘one of the most environmentally-friendly sailing yachts ever created’, upon completion the new sloop will be the largest single-masted wooden sailing yacht built in the UK since the 1930s.

Created in collaboration with Rhodes Young, the interior of the yacht certainly isn’t your standard classical design, with a completely curved interior, which has been created with the helix in mind. Alongside the Rhodes Young team and the in-house design team at Spirit Yachts, the European owner was very much involved in the design process of the Spirit 111 - working closely with the professionals to arrive at this very unique result.

The Spirit 111 has been completely customised throughout, and as a result, her interior is totally unique. The design is a never-ending swirl of organic shapes, which encompass the practicalities necessary in a yacht but in a highly imaginative way. I am very much looking forward to unveiling the finished interior as it is truly remarkable.”

- says Sean McMillan Head Designer at Spirit Yachts.

“The Spirit 111 has been completely customised throughout, and as a result, her interior is totally unique,” says Sean McMillan Head Designer at Spirit Yachts. “The design is a never-ending swirl of organic shapes, which encompass the practicalities necessary in a yacht but in a highly imaginative way. I am very much looking forward to unveiling the finished interior as it is truly remarkable.”

The term ‘flowing interior’ is one that its widely used in the superyacht industry, but it has never been so appropriate. Walls and bulkheads flow in an ‘S’ shape throughout the interior, whilst discreet doors and hidden storage create smooth lines and a more contoured appearance. The bespoke curved walnut furniture throughout the yacht has been designed to blend into the structures in order to continue the seamless look the owner had hoped for, so much so, even the door handles have been hidden.

A smart lighting system on board will also adhere to the owner’s wish for a ‘blended interior’ as there are also no light switches in the interior, just sensors. “The interior lighting is controlled by sun sensors, so the brightness is adjusted to ensure there is no difference between outside and inside, there will be no pockets of shade and light as you would normally have,” says Spirit Yachts Managing Director Nigel Stuart.

“The interior will have no light switches; motion sensors will turn lights on and off during the day and during the night, sensors under the beds will detect if someone is up and light the way to the nearest ensuite. If a guest starts to go elsewhere within the interior, the system will deduce which way they are going and light the relevant areas in a very soft yellow light.”

- Nigel Stuart, Managing Director at Spirit Yachts

“The interior will have no light switches; motion sensors will turn lights on and off during the day and during the night, sensors under the beds will detect if someone is up and light the way to the nearest ensuite,” continues Stuart. “If a guest starts to go elsewhere within the interior, the system will deduce which way they are going and light the relevant areas in a very soft yellow light.”

As the yacht has been designed to be helmed by the owner, there is also no crew accommodation on board. A strict eco-brief was also provided by the owner, who wanted to use minimal energy without impacting the performance of the yacht, leading to Spirit’s collaboration with leading marine and automotive suppliers. A Torqeedo electric propulsion system using a 100kW motor will propel the yacht silently for up to 40nm at eight knots from battery power alone. And, whilst under sail, the propulsion system will regenerate the four BMWi lithium battery banks by rotating the propeller shaft.

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