Royal Huisman turns its largest hull to date

Royal Huisman has given the world a first glimpse at its largest hull to date, after the completed hull of its 81-metre (266-foot) flagship schooner Project 400 was turned in Vollenhove. 

Sold to an Asian client in summer 2016, Project 400 was first announced to the industry at the 2017 Monaco Yacht Show.

The yard worked in close collaboration with the owner and his team to an initial brief for a “world-cruising, fast, comfortable and iconic-looking” yacht. Naval architecture and exterior design comes from the boards of Dykstra Naval Architects, with Mark Whiteley Design, who collaborated on her exteriors and also delivered designs for a clean, modern interior. 

Delivery of RH400 is scheduled for 2020, upon which she will be the largest Asian-owned yacht, as well as the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht.

Key features include a large sundeck with full flybridge controls, and a sheltered cockpit with bar, sofas and large al-fresco dining area. A unique sliding-door system from Rondal links the cockpit with the main saloon, which houses an informal lounge and large dining table that can host up to 16 people. 

Her interiors will be used for both business and entertaining, with the forward part of the superstructure dedicated to the owners and his guests. Accommodation is in place for up to 12 guests and 13 crewmembers. 

As the largest project to have ever come from Royal Huisman, the yacht builder has temporarily extended and upgraded its main shipbuilding hall to accommodate her.

Its in-house specialists are working simultaneously on the yacht’s superstructure, interior accommodation and on-board systems, while construction is also underway on her carbon rig and sail-handling system next door at Rondal. 

Upon her turning, Royal Huisman said, “Now the milestone anticipated by all involved parties has been achieved: The massive aluminium hull of Project 400 was wheeled out of the construction hull and showed her immense scale.

“Four cranes performed the seamless manoeuvring routine, turning this work of art while she was hanging mid-air over the canal adjacent to the shipyard: The largest single piece lifted and turned by Royal Huisman ever. Before the end of the day, the upright schooner hull was placed on a cradle and moved back into shipbuilding hall two. That will be her home until completion in 2020.”

For more information, visit Royal Huisman.

Superyacht News
March 28, 2024
Tried & Tested - Best Yacht Mattresses: Product Review
Tried & Tested - Best Yacht Mattresses: Product Review

In the realm of maritime luxury, the quest to offer yacht charter guests the perfect night's sleep has become an art form, one which luxury bed and linen supplier, CC Design, has fully committed to.

By Ben Cooling
March 15, 2023
Best Yacht Crew Jackets: Product Review
Best Yacht Crew Jackets: Product Review

A jacket completes any crew member's uniform so it's an important garment to get right. In this Tried & Tested, Sea Design pits eight popular jackets against one another to determine which one is best for superyacht crew in 2023.

By Nathan Bees
April 19, 2023
iAQUA Sea Scooters: Product Review
iAQUA Sea Scooters: Product Review

iAQUA creates high-performance, technologically advanced underwater scooters. In this Tried & Tested, a team of experienced testers have rated and reviewed the AquaDart Pro and AquaDart Nano series to reveal the stand-out iAQUA sea scooter.

By Holly Sanderson

Finished reading? Now find your perfect supplier.

Search our industry-leading directory for over 20,000 superyacht suppliers, providers and marinas.

Search now