“Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain’s words certainly seem to apply to the special 78-foot sailing vessel that KM Yachtbuilders is currently building. Capable of navigating the cold, icy regions in the northernmost and southernmost waters of the world, she’s a dream come true for her adventurous owner.

After working on the hull for more than a year, it is in the readying stages of being turned over to commence the finishing phase. The 77,160-pound hull will be turned using two mobile cranes. 

After working on the hull for more than a year, it is in the readying stages of being turned over to commence the finishing phase. The 77,160-pound hull will be turned using two mobile cranes. Not so much in terms of its length (at 88 feet, Tulip is longer), but more regarding its volume and weight. The hull has a thickness of 40-mm in some places, and the bow has a 25-mm ice reinforcement, extending almost halfway down the yacht. Once completed, the yacht will weigh about 85 tons.

Although the sailing yacht was designed by Dykstra Naval Architects, it does not resemble the Bestevaer, the joint model of KM Yachtbuilders and Dykstra Naval Architects. Its rounded forms, both underwater and the hull itself, are designed to withstand the pressure of the ice when it freezes. The keel and the rudder can be retracted fully into the hull to prevent them from being damaged by ice. On deck there are two carbon fiber rotating WingRig masts, both with carbon fiber furling booms.

The owner has more than 10 years of experience sailing in polar regions. He has been to the North and South poles and will shortly be sailing the Northwest passage for the second time, starting from the Alaska side. His new yacht is due for completion early 2019.