71ft Carbon Sailing Yacht

Tripp Design was approached by a young family with an interesting challenge: a fully autonomous, globe-trotting sailboat.

The resulting 5 cabin, 71 ft. pilothouse ketch is designed for long-distance exploration without a single drop of fuel. Powered by 2 x 25 kw motors, hydrogeneration, solar energy, plug-in technology, and of course, the wind, this yacht is completely fuel-free. Its lightweight carbon structure is being built by Paul Dijkstra Composites with outfitting by KM Yachtbuilders in The Netherlands.

Tripp Design created 360° views from the upper dining salon, a full-beam aft owner’s stateroom with a private companionway, and vertical windows flooding the interior with natural light.

Every detail was designed for ease of use, including a self-tacking jib, an electric furling Code 0, as well as an electric tender that charges from the mother ship’s 220 kWh battery bank,and which is deployed from the garage via a single point lift on the mizzen boom. The custom lifting keel, adjustable from 12 to 6.2 feet, ensures versatility in various cruising grounds.

Safety was also a priority with a ketch configuration for low, balanced loads, a sheltered cockpit, and non-skid side decking. All lines are led underdeck to a dedicated handling area in front of the helms, keeping the deck clean and organized.

Stay tuned for updates and a behind-the-scenes look at this unique process!