Langan Design announces commission of 34m yacht Vela

Thai shipyard Marsun is set to build a 34.14-metre (112-foot) classically styled monohull ketch after receiving a repeat commission from the study abroad organisation Seamester.  

Construction on Vela, as the steel-hulled yacht will be known, will begin later in 2018 with an anticipated delivery at the end of 2019. Naval architect Langan Design explains that she will be the sister ship to Seamester’s existing yacht Argo, which was launched in 2006 and has since gone on to complete four circumnavigations.

Her vital statistics will include a 7.62-metre beam and a maximum draught of 3.08 metres. Accommodation on board is for up to 26 guests across eight cabins, while the crew quarters allow for up to seven staff.

Auxiliary power will come from a single diesel engine for a top speed of 10.5 knots. When trimmed back to her cruising speed of nine knots, Vela will be capable of extended cruising under power thanks to a total fuel capacity of 12,000 litres.

In an interview with Boat International, Seamester co-founder and executive director Mike Meighan commented, “We thought this was the perfect time to diversify our offering and get another boat that can plough the world’s oceans.

“There are a few things that we’re going to change up with Vela, but 95% of things are going to remain the same as Argo. Langan Design did such a great job of taking our concept and turning it into reality, we don’t feel like there needs to be a lot of changes.”

Working alongside the University of South Florida, Seamester offers study abroad and gap year voyages ranging from 20 to 90 days on board the 34m Argo and 26.8m Ocean Star.

For more information, visit Langan Design.