Royal Huisman in the Netherlands continues to make its mark on the superyacht world by building some of the most ambitious private vessels afloat. The shipyard just announced a contract to construct Project 411, which is a 264-foot sailing yacht with the code name Noir. The yacht will be a Malcolm McKeon design with what will reportedly be the world’s tallest sloop rig, at 305 feet high.
McKeon is known for contemporary styling, having also worked on the 195-foot sailing yacht Sarissa that Royal Huisman delivered in 2023. Noir will have a reverse bow, a flybridge, foldout platforms, and what Royal Huisman calls “large areas of glass.” The deck gear and all the windows will be black, according to the shipyard.
The owner’s specifications call for space to bring along a 45-foot tender, allowing the owner and guests to explore coastlines and to transport provisions from shore without having to reposition the yacht closer to any harbor.
Royal Huisman says construction of Noir will be entirely aluminum, with electric-drive auxiliary power. The mast, boom and integrated sailing system will all be from Rondal.
According to the shipyard, Noir will be among the world’s 10 largest sailing yachts, with her air draft exceeding the current tallest rig by about 14 feet.
“We are very pleased to be building again at Royal Huisman,” McKeon stated in a press release, adding that having built the award-winning Sarissa there, “ we are well acquainted with the shipyard’s engineering skills, innovations and the level of craftsmanship.”
Less information is being revealed about plans for the interior layout and décor aboard Noir, but GCA Architects of Barcelona, Spain, is involved in the design. That firm is also known for a contemporary approach, having worked on Spain’s first “smart” building and the world’s first platinum-certified LEED structure.
Designer Josep [KK1] Juanpere Miret, in the same press release, said the interior aboard Noir will complement the contemporary exterior styling, and will mix woods, natural materials and textures for a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere.
In other big-sail Royal Huisman news: The 265-foot Sea Eagle, launched in 2020, just joined the charter fleet at Y.CO. It’s headed to the South Pacific this summer, with itineraries possible to book in French Polynesia and Fiji. The yacht then will have charter availability in New Zealand during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The crew includes two scuba instructors for making the most of the underwater sights.
Take the next step: click over to royalhuisman.com for the new build, or to y.co for charter.
