Feadship Concept C celebrates an important milestone
by Feadship 25 Sep 20:56 PDT
25-28 September 2024
Feadship's latest concept design © Feadship
Innovation, and technology dazzle onboard this 75 metre motoryacht
One of the most anticipated moments of the annual Monaco Yacht Show is the unveiling of Feadship's latest concept design. Compelling and scintillating, brilliantly reflecting the past and projecting the future, Feadship presents concept C. This multifaceted proposal engages the 75-year heritage of Feadship ideals yet advances cutting-edge technology amid glimpses of avant-garde design.
Much more than renderings, Feadship concept designs showcase innovative systems
and technologies within a stunning exterior styling and forward-looking interior design.
In honour of the Diamond Anniversary of the launch of the Feadship brand, Studio De
Voogt named its latest gem "C". The name was chosen from the symbol for carbon on
the periodic table of elements, carbon being the basis of diamonds - the symbol of a
75th anniversary - and a little play on words see and sea. C's matrix is contained by a
75 metre LOA and a requirement that the yacht continues on Feadship's quest for
sustainability, while her flared bow pays homage to the designs of the late Frits de
Voogt, whose powerful and iconic bows are evident in the classic Feadships.
If the annual Feadship concept design question is "what can we do better?" C
demonstrates the answer in a yacht that brings a dazzling approach to life on the sea
and evokes a sense of wonder.
As brilliant as her inspiration, C sparkles with innovations and dazzles with mesmerizing
angles. But more than just generating an unforgettable profile, these facets amid broad
expanses of glass draw light deep into the yacht's multi-level interior, turning the centre
of circulation for owner and guests into a light-filled gallery and unprecedently fluid living
space.
Leading this year's Concept Design team, senior designer Ruud Bakker shared the
inspiration for the 2024 concept, which included experiencing the Amsterdam diamond
cutting workshop of Gassan Diamonds to learn how the facet patterns draw light into the
stone, reflecting and magnifying it. Also inspiring were examples of cutting-edge
architecture with zero boundary facades blurring the line between indoors and out. The
designers used these concepts to amplify guest contact with the sea, a relationship that
owners note sadly tends to fade as yachts get larger.
In addition to reducing the barriers between interior and exterior environments, C's
design also blurs the segregation of decks. The fore and aft sections of each deck are
staggered by a half-level at the centre of circulation amidships. Living and sleeping
spaces are just a half-level from the next lifestyle area, be it up or down, and long
corridors are banished. Opening the centre of the yacht to an atrium with floating stairs
and a lift without walls must be seen to be appreciated! It is truly a flash of brilliance.
Giving the yacht a lift unlike any other
Imagine being transported between decks without stepping into the confines of an
elevator. No matter how nicely decorated, an elevator creates a disconnect from one
floor to the next. C introduces a seamless transition between the decks via a dramatic
central court that keeps them visually and literally connected like a three-dimensional
chess board. Instead of stepping into an isolated lift capsule, at the touch of a button a
neat, hexagon shaped seating area gently moves to deposit you seamlessly at your
desired level with no break in the conversation. The lifting mechanism can also swivel
180 degrees to accommodate the split-level decks and place passengers nearer their
destination. Take it to the top and the skylight automatically opens revealing a private
crow's nest. It sounds like a movie special effect, but it's possible!
The emphasis on connectivity between spaces continues in the primary suite, a duplex
with an open staircase linking the sleeping accommodation on the upper deck to an
equally private office and sitting room on the main deck below. The solution is much
more open, residential and natural. Of course, it has its own private outdoor deck and
spa pool.
Sea-level living is well planned
Other design innovations onboard C are the partially enclosed lower deck sea lounge
and waterfront dining. Permanent hull-side openings aft allow the sea lounge to be a
bright and comfortable al fresco spaces even if the yacht is under way or moored in a
marina, or if just a bit more privacy and protection is desired at anchor. This spacious
sea lounge can become even larger when the side terraces are lowered. A
multifunctional space, it can be arranged as a watersports enthusiast's staging area or a
luxurious social lounge with seating, dining and a bar. Three different staircases
connect with the aft main deck above featuring a hexagonal infinity edge pool and
sunning area. From a tender or quayside, C is designed to be entered via the sea
lounge. It makes a clever transition from life ashore to life afloat and signals something
special is about to begin.
Forward of the sea lounge is a gym and separate full-featured spa, each with opening
terraces. Opposite is a unique sea-level dining room off of the glamorous lower lobby. It
too has a broad opening terrace on the sea for the ultimate in private seaside dining.
Taking C to Sea
C continues the work of Feadship's Knowledge & Innovation team. Her hull shape and
fully electric propulsion system with inline contra rotating propellers is an evolution from
the Breathe concept first proposed in 2010. A similar system was installed on Feadship
Savannah launched in 2015 and has proven itself over thousands of open ocean miles.
This highly efficient system of a centreline propeller and an azimuthing thruster behind
allowed De Voogt's naval architects to fashion a hull shape with an optimised, upswept
after body for less turbulence and a quieter wake.
This hull shape allows the propeller to be larger than the norm yet with the forwardfacing
pulling propeller on the thruster behind, the revolutions of the propellers is less
for higher efficiency and less vibration. Computer simulations predict C will be 30 per
cent more efficient than a typical 75 metre yacht with dual shafts, propellers and
rudders.
Both the centreline propeller and thruster are electric and draw power from an efficient
DC electrical grid supplied entirely by fuel cells directly running on methanol produced
from renewable source. Fuel cells will provide electrical power without vibration or
harmful emissions. Although their initial cost is still higher than internal combustion
generators, they return the capital investment in only a few years due to increased
efficiency yet pay immediate dividends in terms of eliminating greenhouse gases. They
are also compact units, thus reducing the space of the "engine" compartment. On C,
this easily fits on one deck.
Following on the hydrogen fuel cell power system developed for Feadship's 118.80-
metre Project 821, Concept C will draw 100 per cent of her power needs from fuel cells
directly running on methanol, complimented by lithium-metal batteries. Green methanol
is seen by Feadship as the best near-term option for onboard energy generation due to
its relatively high density and ease of use. Normal cruising speed on the fuel cells is 14
knots and a top speed of 17 knots can be achieved by adding the battery power to the
DC electrical grid. Fuel cells are silent, vibration free, and - a big step in the
decarbonization of yachting - produce no harmful emissions.
The Hammerhead effect
Additional electrical power will be generated by one pair of narrow wave-actuated fins
that fold out from the hull aft of the anchors. Extending horizontally from the hull, the
look, if imagined from above, would be like the outline of a hammerhead shark. The fins
are connected to permanent magnet rotors that create DC electrical energy directly to
the micro-DC grid onboard. Estimates are that in a one-metre sea, energy generated by
their movement will meet one-third of C's hotel load. In addition it would reduce the pitch
motions by some 20 per cent and reduce the total resistance through the water by some
3-4%. Capturing wave energy is an exciting new realm.
Beyond the bridge
Polishing the remote bridge plan introduced on the 2021 concept Pure, C showcases
the next evolution of Feadship's forward-thinking adaptive technology, with a command
centre positioned between the crew area and beach club. This fully digital operation and
navigation centre includes the latest in intelligent situational awareness technology with
cameras and data fusion. The enabling technology has already found its way into the
Feadship fleet onboard 102.60-metre Ulysses. Its location is seen as a way to centralise
crew tasks and improving communication lines between engineering and navigation
crew.
This layout and the smaller single-level engine room supported by the fuel cells
maximizes prime owner and guest space aboard, creating more value to an owner
within the same GT total.
Reducing Consumption without Compromising Luxury
Generating power without creating greenhouse gasses is one thing, but using energy
efficiently is something all Feadship designs can provide. As explored with concept
design Dunes in 2023, the importance of over-hangs cannot be over emphasised.
Keeping windows and superstructure walls out of direct sunlight is essential to reducing
the heat entering a yacht and resulting air conditioning needs. C's faceted exterior and
angled windows along with wide side deck and stern overhangs minimise the heat
generated by expanses of glass while preserving endless views to the horizon.
Feadship is also working with glazing manufacturers to improve the reflective and
insulating qualities of glass panels.
Additionally, Feadship's is transitioning to lower impact steel and aluminium, raw
materials of equivalent strength generating 60 per cent less greenhouse gases during
their manufacturer by utilizing recycled metals. Head of Research and Development
Giedo Loeff believes that the transition to very low greenhouse gas impact steel and
aluminium will be complete in 10-15 years, dramatically increasing superyacht
construction sustainability as these materials become more generally available and
integrated within the component product supply chain.
Technical Specifications:
- Steel hull, aluminium and glass superstructure
- Length overall 75.00 m / 246'1"
- Length waterline 72.70 m / 238'6"
- Beam overall 13.00 m / 42' 8"
- Depth 6.75 m / 22' 2"
- Fuel capacity 200,000 litres / 52,835 US Gallons
- Fresh water capacity 35,000 litres / 9,246 US Gallons
Propulsion:
- Main engines Full electric propulsion: fixed propeller 1800 kW, azimuthing
- thruster 1200 kW contra rotating.
- Batteries Lithium Metal 3200 kWh Methanol fuel cells 1800 kW
- Stabilizers Hammerhead
- Cruising speed 14 knots
- Maximum speed 17 knots
- Range Transatlantic
Accommodation
Owner Two guests in primary stateroom with adjoining bath and dressing room and
sitting room with internal private stairs to owner's office on main deck below.
Guests Five double guest staterooms with en suites of which two can be combined to
become a full-beam VIP.
Crew Captain in captain's cabin, six officers in three double cabins, twelve crew in
six double cabins on lower deck plus captain's office, ship's office, navigation
room and virtual command centre.
Galley and crew mess on lower deck, stores and laundry on tank deck.
The Concept of Concepts
For more than a decade, designers, naval architects and engineering specialists at
Feadship De Voogt Naval Architects have been presenting an annual concept design.
Glowing with new ideas, they are certainly inspirational, as is their goal. But anyone can
draw a fantasy. What sets Feadship concepts apart is the research behind them.
We could start building concept C tomorrow or incorporate any of her sparkling
innovations in the design development of a full custom Feadship knowing they are truly
functional and buildable. This commitment in resources and personnel is
unprecedented.
Why do we do it? The reason is simple: We are Feadship.