The aluminium hull of the all-new Pelagic 77 is turned over with two mobile cranes. Skip Novak was present as representative for Pelagic Yachts, as well as Jordi Griso, the marine representative of the owner, Nicolás Ibáñez Scott, a Chilean entrepreneur and adventurer.
Designed for adventure
After delivery at the end of 2020 followed by an extensive sea trial in the North Atlantic through the summer of 2021, the Pelagic 77 will be sailing down to Puerto Williams in Chile to be used as a private yacht but also to serve an educational purpose.
This town of 2400 people is the starting point of many of Skip Novak’s expeditions, as well as the place where Nicolás Ibáñez Scott has developed a sailing school with the goal of educating children through sailing.
It was there where Skip Novak and Mr Ibanez met, and as a result of that connection, the idea of combining both exploration and sail training was born. Tony Castro, who designed Skip Novak’s well known Pelagic Australis, was engaged and developed the concept of Pelagic 77.
At the same time there was the need to find a shipyard able to materialize that idea, that design. When Jordi Griso attended the Düsseldorf Boot show back in 2018, he visited the KMY stand and met Eeuwe Kooi and Jildou Huisman, who explained the yard was building a very similar ship in terms of concept and dimensions: a polar expedition yacht.
This drew attention and when Jordi Griso visited the Open Day in April at the yard he came out with a positive impression, which led to KM Yachtbuilders being the elected builders of the Pelagic 77.
Nicolás Ibáñez Scott says: “And that is how in an international project with Portugueses, Spaniards, British, etc involved, we added the only maritime power missing, the Dutch. A project that in my opinion brings together highly qualified professionals in their different fields.”
Skip Novak adds to that: “This expedition vessel is an evolution from Pelagic Australis and was conceived and designed for expedition sailing mainly in high latitudes. This implies enhanced autonomy, ease of handling with respect to sail areas and of course, given our Pelagic philosophy, simple systems that a yacht crew, operating in remote areas can service without specialist help.”
A centerboarder rather than a full lifting keel, the Pelagic 77 will be a schooner with two carbon masts to split up the sail area, therefore keeping all sailing systems, winches and furlers manually operated. Her two Yanmar engines of 150hp ensure redundancy.
The large pilot house and living area and galley aft are the main areas where guests will spend their time when not on the deck. Six double cabins are forward of the pilot house with two heads and showers shared among them. The interior styling will be light with bamboo furniture.