Akalam

 Once aboard you notice the coamings have been pushed out to almost the full beam-width, creating the second most interesting aspect, which is an unusually large 60sqm aft-deck area. Twin helm stations adjoin the rear of the pilothouse, meaning this sociable and wellappointed space is unencumbered by crew and protected from the sun and effects of the weather by a large, fixed bimini with removable side-screens, mounted on a central arch. Once inside AKALAM, natural light engulfs the lower saloon and accommodation areas; a result of no less than 13 windows on each side of the hull, affording the owner’s room, twin guest cabins and lower saloon simply amazing vistas of the outside world. The effect is replicated within the pilothouse, itself benefitting from almost 360° degree views of the outside world from within.

Such is the level of light and sense of spaciousness inside AKALAM that, in some areas, there is almost no discernible difference in feeling from being outside than in. The amazing sensory experience continues when sailing close upwind; where the leeward side windows become partially immersed beneath the sea and water can be seen rushing past as the yacht makes way. Finished in graphite black with matching carbon rig and cream painted superstructure, the aluminium hull and elevated pilothouse combine to give an attractive and traditional look, with gently rising shear, traditional bow and raised counter stern. The designer’s brief was comprehensive and presented many challenges. The owner took the view the design ‘should not have to follow the concept of a yacht just because it is a yacht!’ Outdoors living was a priority and the inside had to interact with the outside as much as
possible.

Iñigo Toledo and his team at Barracuda overcame the significant technical challenge presented by the request for so many windows, by focussing rig tension on an ingenious double-bottom rigid aluminium box structure, concealed well below the floor. This created a so called ‘soft-section’ outside the area of the shrouds, reducing stress in the sides of the hull and facilitating inclusion of this amount of windows. The challenges offered by these innovative and unique design features and the exceptionally high quality finish anticipated by the owner, provided an opportunity for the team at Pendennis to showcase their technical experience and in-house finishing skills, successfully completing the build this spring to the exacting standards of the clients.

Close sailing angles courtesy of a retractable dagger-board, varying draught from 3.6m to 5.5m, have been achieved. Upwind at 25 degrees apparent is considered more than acceptable for a yacht of this type, while reducing leeway by at least 5 degrees will enable faster passage times even still. Under power, a 610hp MAN diesel motor provides comfortable passage speeds in excess of 13.5 knots.