Published in February 2022 edition:

So what exactly is Featherlight? Project 405 is being built behind firmly closed doors and Royal Huisman is keeping its cards close to its chest. ‘Featherlight is a design and engineering methodology aimed at providing a lightweight aluminium construction from the outset,’ a spokesman for the shipyard says. ‘Its result isn’t a conventional superyacht relying on compromises to achieve a degree of weight reduction, but a purpose-driven effort to make the yacht truly as light as possible, and recapture any advantage that composite hulls might have, whilst benefiting from using aluminium. Featherlight comprises the leadingedge weight reduction knowledge that Royal Huisman has accumulated over recent projects, and adds the very latest intelligence and resourcefulness.’

State-of-the-art milling machinery plays a significant part in Featherlight construction. ‘The machine-milled bow deck section of Project 405 features the exact curves of camber and sheerline (so no adjustments required), precise penetrations, and also meets the exact required strength based on FEM calculations including a predefined safety margin,’ Royal Huisman’s spokesman says. ‘All surplus material is removed: highest quality, reduced weight and optimal efficiency.’

But the key difference between Featherlight and regular aluminium construction is what goes on inside the metal skin: ‘The hull of project 405 is a high-grade mix of aluminium and carbon composite, using a semi-automated parametric structural optimisation process. During 16 iterations that are part of our new Featherlight method, the structural weight is reduced by a remarkable 11 per cent compared with conventional methods, whilst maintaining the stiffness of the hull and ensuring structural integrity.’

That’s all Royal Huisman wants to make public about Featherlight, but readers who would like to know more about it can contact the shipyard for a tailor-made presentation.

SEAHORSE International Sailing featuring “What is featherlight construction?” was published as sidebar within the article “Optimized aluminium”, February 2022: click here to open the pdf-file featuring “What is featherlight construction?” (opens in a new tab)

Above: SEAHORSE International Sailing, February 2022: click here to open the pdf-file featuring “What is featherlight construction?” (opens in a new tab)

FEATHERLIGHT^TM  –  Best of both worlds: performance and comfort

Bouwe Bekking, professional race captain and 8x Ocean Race competitor, explains: “Royal Huisman’s FEATHERLIGHT^TM is a tailor made program, which combines the best of both worlds: performance and luxury. Weight and performance are undeniably linked in yachts – more of the first means less of the other. Excess weight impacts on the speed and handling of a yacht.

So why is “lightweight” not at the top of every yacht owner’s wish list? That is because materials used to achieve weight reductions are widely associated with a lack of comfort, noisiness and vibrations, added expense and the absence of sustainable qualities when building a new yacht.”

Turning the feather

The lightweight construction of the 46.82m performance cruiser Nilaya, Royal Huisman’s project 405 aka Reichel / Pugh – Nauta 154, employs the shipyard’s new “Featherlight” method which combines the best of both worlds: performance and comfort. Read more about “Turning the feather” on this website: follow the links to News > Announcements [click here]