Tim Gilding unveils his all-new 30m high-performance sailing yacht Project Immersion concept. Luxury yacht Project Immersion was designed with maxi yachts as well as the Wally Cento in mind, to compete with the likes of charter yacht ICAP Leopard, Wild Oats XI yacht, and superyacht Hamilton.
Cruiser/racer version of the 30m high-performance sailing yacht Project Immersion by Tim Gilding
The original concept was for a 100ft monohull with a wave-piercing hullform and powerful rig developed from AC-style wingsails. This quickly developed into a trio of yachts based on the same hull/appendage set-up: a luxurious cruiser/racer, a race-ready version, and a wingsail-powered speed chaser. The vision of a sleek monohull blasting through the seas at speeds upward of 40 knots inspired the name, Project Immersion.
Luxury yacht Project Immersion - view from above
All three benefit from the highly-efficient, albeit wet, reverse-raked bow flowing gently through to the powerful, flat transom.
The long bow helps carry the waterline length forward while reducing pitching in choppy seas. A deep canting keel sits just behind a central daggerboard – which is hydraulically lifted in the luxury version. Twin high aspect ratio rudders provide the steering.
Project Immersion Yacht Concept - front view
Shown in these renderings provided by the designer is the cruiser/racer version of Project Immersion yacht. It’s large glass-topped superstructure conceals a comfortable saloon, dining, and navigation area.
Forward of the main saloon area is a layout providing minimalist accommodation for 6 guests and 4 crew. The decks are free from any stairs, instead rising gently alongside the superstructure to form the large foredeck area. All decks are kept free from clutter by running all main lines below decks. All movement of the canting keel and canard are controlled by a central computer system which analyses the Project Immersion superyacht’s speed, wind angles, and heel angles, and adjusts things accordingly.
Superyacht Project Immersion concept - aft view
The race-ready version does away with the weighty superstructure and interior, replacing them with a no-nonsense cockpit layout and all-business lightweight interior. The weight-saving in this version results in a displacement of under 28,000kg. Coupled with the generous upwind sail area of approximately 565m2, this promises to be a truly potent racer in the maxi scene.
The final version of the trio is the high-speed wingsail-rigged concept. With a huge power-weight ratio, the Project Immersion yacht concept will make full use of the heavily-sheltered helms when blasting through large waves at speeds upwards of 40 knots. There is only one thing this concept is truly at home doing: conquering records.
30m sailing yacht Project Immersion concept by Tim Gilding
Still under development, this trio of high-performance yachts may provide a unique competitor to the current kings of the sea.
