Launched this spring, the 38m Perini Navi Dahlak is the latest yacht from Philippe Briand’s studio to make waves. Philippe Briand offers up his view on combining elegance with performance on board his latest sloop.
Mari-Cha III’s legacy
Briand explains this trio’s connection: “The first big racing yacht I was asked to design was Mari-Cha III. She was the biggest carbon-hulled yacht to be built at that time and during the building process the family fell in love with the project and expressed their wish for her to also be a family yacht. Since then, Mari-Cha III has been the joy of all the owner’s family, for the grandparents, the children and the now-adult grandchildren. A yacht that wins the transatlantic race and at the same time still brings pleasure to the owner after 20 years is about as good as it gets. Dahlak follows a similar concept: fast when needed, yet always comfortable and welcoming for the guests, she is built to last.”
Regarding Dahlak’s performance, many of the features that made P2 so successful have been carried through to this newly built yacht.
For example, the hull shape and appendages are identical and, thanks to her plumb bow and smooth slope aft, she exhibits a long, streamlined waterline length, which, combined with her moderate displacement, delivers in Dahlak a sporty elegance.
New technology
The water ballast system has been removed and replaced by an additional eight tonnes in the keel bulb, which helps to preserve the original stability that made P2 such a comfortable and powerful sailing yacht. The ease of handling the high-aspect-ratio rig has been secured by recessing the genoa and jib furlers in the deck, as well as the development of the 14m furling boom that shelters the full battened mainsail quickly and safely.
