AQuiJo Yacht

Design & Construction

Designed around a full displacement steel hull and an aluminium superstructure she features a 14.48m beam and a 5.23m draft. The yacht has an internal volume of 1,538 GT (Gross Tonnes).

Construction started in late 2012 with the keel laid under the project name 'Y711'. The yacht was designed and constructed in compliance with the Lloyds Register technical standards. Launched in May 2015 this yacht undertook sea trials over the following months. She was delivered to her owners in March 2016.

Exterior Design

Aquijo stands as a true testament to the seamless blend of form and function. With an exterior designed by the renowned American naval architect, Bill Tripp, her sleek and modern lines are both eye-catching and purposeful.

The owner's brief called for a high-performing and comfortable cruising yacht, with a focus on safety, comfort, and speed. This resulted in a design that strikes a perfect balance between the aesthetics of a sailing yacht and the luxury of a motor yacht, all while maintaining large volumes and low windage.

One of the key exterior features of Aquijo is her formidable, towering mast which stands at an impressive 91 meters. It is responsible for the yacht's exceptional sailing capabilities and its position as one of the fastest in its class. The fully optimized, lightweight hull construction is capable of withstanding forces from the mast and rig loads.

Aquijo's exterior styling was heavily influenced by sailing goals, with an eye to reducing windage and keeping a low center of gravity. The bridge was positioned a half-deck down from the upper owner's deck, with the flying bridge flush on top and forward of the owner's area. This arrangement resulted in a sleeker, lower profile, which not only enhances its sailing performance but also adds to its aesthetic appeal.

The exterior design also features large swaths of glass that stretch the length of her main and upper decks. This serves the dual purpose of bringing in natural light and offering expansive, panoramic views, enhancing the sailing experience.

Complementing her sleek profile is the aft inside-outside beach club, a unique feature that brings the luxury and comfort of a motor yacht to this high-performing sailing vessel. The beach club can be used at sea when the aft watertight door is closed, offering a luxurious space to relax and enjoy the ocean scenery.

Despite her impressive size, Aquijo's exterior design manages to maintain a sense of balance and proportion. She looks formidable at a distance, yet up close, her elegant lines and carefully considered features reveal a yacht that is as much about performance as it is about luxury. The result is a yacht that is not only a joy to sail but also a pleasure to behold.

Interior Design

The interior of AQuiJo is a masterpiece of elegance and sophistication, reflecting both the yacht's sailing character and a modern atmosphere. The design, helmed by the esteemed German firm Dolker + Voges, is characterized by clear, logical lines, the use of pure materials, and a remarkable attention to detail.

The heart of the yacht's interior is the extensive use of wood and stainless steel. These materials not only enhance the yacht's maritime charm but also create a sense of luxury and comfort. Stainless steel, one of the noblest materials in the world of design, is employed both practically and artistically. It adds an exciting interaction between light, reflections, and the interior design, creating a sophisticated and modern atmosphere.

One of the standout features of Aquijo's interior is the stainless steel mizzen mast cladding that graces the lower deck guest corridor. Functioning as both structural necessity and art, this cladding reflects light and adds an interesting visual element. The theme is echoed in the central stairway, where a polished stainless steel artwork, shaped to mimic the look of a mast, takes center stage. This custom piece, commissioned from a German stainless steel manufacturer, is a testament to the yacht's inventive design.

The yacht's interior also boasts high-gloss Japanese lacquer headboards in each guest cabin, each one sporting its own unique pop of color. The shower walls feature a stunning glass mosaic and the ceiling domes are adorned with palladium-leaf. These reflective surfaces are beautifully offset by the use of natural woods, from the Mutenye floors to light brushed ash walls and teak floors and wall lamellas in the beach club.

Dolker + Voges was instrumental in shaping an interior that connects the private and public areas of the yacht in a logical and efficient manner. The main deck reveals a saloon and aft deck living areas that merge seamlessly, separated only by a central bar that becomes the focal point when the glass doors slide open. The saloon seating area is cozy and intimate, designed to foster conversation and shared experiences rather than grandeur.

The lower deck accommodation leads directly out to the beach club, a vibrant and compelling space that combines a spa and a lounge area. Flanked by a central spa pool and a sauna with sea views, it is a space designed for relaxation and enjoyment. The teak-clad beach club is bathed in natural light from a skylight created by the glass floor on the main deck above.

The guest room configurations can be adapted to suit the needs of the guests, transforming from suites to multiple cabins. The owners have prioritized intimacy and comfort over grandeur, creating numerous different and intimate spaces over larger, more palatial ones.

Accommodation

The yacht is capable of accommodating up to 12 guests in 7 luxurious cabins. The state-of-the-art suites are designed to meet the highest standards of comfort and luxury, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone on board. The owner's suite is an epitome of grandeur and sophistication, boasting a private deck with a 270-degree panoramic view. The remaining six guest cabins on the lower deck are equally impressive, featuring large vertical windows that offer expansive views of the ocean.

Designed with a keen attention to detail, each cabin offers a unique and intimate space. High-gloss Japanese lacquer headboards add a touch of elegance to each suite, while the glass mosaic shower walls and palladium-leaf ceiling domes create an atmosphere of opulence. The reflective surfaces are beautifully offset by the use of natural woods, including Mutenye floors and light brushed ash walls.

Guest accommodation is not the only aspect that makes Aquijo stand out. This luxury yacht also ensures a comfortable stay for the crew. The crew accommodation includes several cabins, each designed with the same precision and attention to detail as the guest suites.

Performance & Capabilities

The AQuiJo is a testament to Vitters' expertise in crafting high-performance sailing yachts. Its superior performance and mechanical capabilities reflect the precision and dedication that went into its construction. The yacht's impressive specifications include a length of 86 meters, making it the largest ketch and the second-longest modern sailing yacht launched to date.

The yacht's strength lies in its volume and displacement, boasting 1,538 gross tonnage and 1,451 tonnes respectively. Vitters took on the challenge of making the AQuiJo as comfortable as a comparably sized motor yacht, equipping it with amenities such as a beach club, multiple pools, and a deck devoted entirely to its owner.

The AQuiJo was designed for safety, comfort, and speed. Its owner, an experienced sailor, envisioned a high-performing and comfortable cruising yacht suitable for long-range worldwide cruising with long-time independence from shore.

In terms of engine specification, the AQuiJo is a powerhouse. The loads are immense, with the biggest coming in the mainmast base compression of 470 tonnes. The steel keel and bottom structure support this load and keep it from bending.

In terms of speed, the AQuiJo is built to be fast. The yacht is capable of reaching speeds of 20.4 knots, even in rough sea conditions. The yacht's performance is also enhanced by its large sail area of 3,821 square meters, which can be extended to 5,051 square meters with the Code Zero sail.

The AQuiJo is also designed for long-range navigation. Its design and construction take into account the need for the yacht to round the capes in a storm while under sail and in safety. This required a lot of attention to balance the hull form, sail area, stability, and robust powered control systems.

The AQuiJo also features Vitters' in-house-developed steering system, which translates the hydrodynamic force on the carbon-fiber rudder blades directly to the flying bridge steering wheels, providing the helmsman with immediate feedback. This allows the AQuiJo to perform like a much smaller sailing yacht.

Overall, the AQuiJo is a testament to Vitters' expertise in constructing high-performance sailing yachts. Its impressive specifications and superior performance make it a standout in the luxury yacht market.

Amenities

The yacht features a well-equipped gym, allowing her guests to keep up their fitness regimes at sea. In addition, AQuiJo features a beach club where those on board can enjoy unwinding close to the water. An elevator makes the yacht fully-accessible, while air conditioning offers increased on-board comfort. The sundeck is the social hub of the yacht, with a deck jacuzzi for cooling off and an inviting spread of sunpads.