Aquarius

A powerful performer

There is no finer complement to a team than when yacht owners ask for a new vessel just like the last one, only bigger and more powerful performance. This is precisely the story behind the new Aquarius. On first glance, it is hard to tell their previous Aquarius, now Apsara, and new Aquarius apart.

The previous 56m / 186ft version launched in 2018 and the new 65m / 212ft replacement look identical from a distance – by request. The husband and wife behind the builds had put considerable effort into creating their first large custom yacht and loved it, calling it “close to perfect”.

The story

Main data

The new Aquarius has 45% more volume than her predecessor

Aquarius sailing under a dark sail with white stripes, seen from wave level

Aquarius sailing under a huge dark sail, photographed from just above the waves

Aquarius under tall dark sails, photographed from water level with spray in the air

Close view of Aquarius's black hull and crew on deck beneath a large dark sail

Aerial view of Aquarius's teak deck and grey sails heeling over deep blue water

Aquarius sailing at speed under tall dark sails with a wake of white water

Teak side deck of Aquarius heeling at speed, with the blue sea rushing past

Wooden steering wheel and teak deck of Aquarius as she sails at speed

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14 September 2026

What it takes to improve on “nearly perfect”

Revealing the new Aquarius in detail.

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16 June 2026

“Best of the Best” honors for the mighty Aquarius

The 65m / 212ft performance ketch Aquarius has been named Robb Report’s “Best of the Best” winner for best sailing yacht.

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Smooth operations beyond the launch

The shipyard’s Service Department has grown from the same practical discipline that shapes each custom yacht: precise engineering, careful documentation and a commitment to...

Reading time: 7 minutes

02 May 2026

Aquarius is 'Sailing Yacht of the Year'

Royal Huisman is proud to announce that the 65m / 212ft performance ketch Aquarius has received two honours at the World Superyacht Awards...

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15 March 2026

In pictures: the new Aquarius at the 2026 St. Barths Bucket

The regatta is a wrap. The race days in pictures.

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01 February 2026

Aquarius wins “Best naval architecture – sailing yachts”

The 65m / 212ft performance ketch Aquarius wins at the BOAT Design & Innovation Awards in Kitzbühel, Austria.

Reading time: 2 minutes

28 May 2025

A new chapter in superyacht elegance

Royal Huisman delivers powerful performer Aquarius

Reading time: 3 minutes

22 October 2024

Aquarius is set to shine

Royal Huisman proudly announces the transport of the modern classic 65m / 212ft Aquarius...

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Lessons learned

In-build at Royal Huisman and scheduled for delivery later this year, 65-metre Aquarius II is so similar in style...

Reading time: 11 minutes

27 March 2023

A SPECIAL MOMENT – IN PICTURES

Reading time: 1 minute

Aquarius II - answers and insights

Godfrey Cray is the owner’s project manager on his third Royal Huisman build...

Reading time: 7 minutes

The perfect combination

Royal Huisman & The Netherlands

Reading time: 3 minutes

01 March 2022

PROJECT 408 UNVEILED AS 65m AQUARIUS II

56m AQUARIUS is ‘close to perfect’: her owners simply want a larger yacht – and even more impressive performance.

Reading time: 4 minutes

Design mockups: getting it right

Various clients of Royal Huisman requested the shipyard to build them a full-size mockups

Reading time: 2 minutes

20 September 2021

NEW ORDER FOR 65M PERFORMANCE KETCH

Royal Huisman increasingly seen as ‘builder of choice’ for exceptional superyachts

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THE ARTIST’S VOICE

One detail that was decided upon early in the design process of the graceful classic ketch Aquarius is a large portrait...

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140 YEARS

Whether industry aficionado, or enthusiastic bystander, the name Royal Huisman needs no introduction...

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A history of investments... for the future

The shipyard from 1884 until today, home of the world’s finest custom yachts

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De Lindenhof Giethoorn

Haute cuisine in a low country

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All yachts

Type	Performance Ketch
Length overall	65m / 212ft
Naval architects	Dykstra Naval Architects
Interior design	Mark Whiteley Design
Owners’ team	Project manager Godfrey Cray + captain James Turner
Construction	Alustar® aluminium
Rig + handling	Rondal carbon rig + Integrated Sailing System

The ultimate compliment clients can pay a shipyard is to return for a second vessel. But when these owners labeled their first yacht “nearly perfect”, the bar measuring excellence is set very high.

This is precisely the story behind Royal Huisman’s second Aquarius delivered in 2025. Its meticulous brief called for the same elegance and family comfort as the world cruising ketch delivered to her experienced husband and wife owners in 2018, but with more volume and accommodations, and even more spirited sailing performance.

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