New 23.5-metre Explorer Sailing Yacht Amundsen Launched
Last week, KM Yachtbuilders launched the 23.5-metre sailing yacht ‘Amundsen’, built at the shipyard in Makkum, Netherlands. Following in the footsteps of her sister ship, ‘Vinson of Antarctica‘, Amundsen is the second hull in this series.
The name ‘Amundsen’ is a tribute to the great Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen. Constructed with an aluminium hull and superstructure, she features naval architecture by Tony Castro (the supervisor is Peter Wilson of MCM Newport).
Amundsen has a 6.2-meter beam accentuated by a distinctive red stripe near her waterline. Featuring two carbon masts meticulously designed to evenly distribute her sail area, complemented by manually operable sail systems such as winches and jib rollers. Inside, she offers a dedicated pilothouse and spacious sitting room with a galley.
She can accommodate up to eight guests comfortably. Distinguished from her sister ship,
‘Vinson of Antarctica‘, ‘Amundsen’ is an enhanced iteration with several modifications. Notably, her
propulsion system sets her apart, boasting modern, eco-friendly engines aimed at minimizing environmental impact.
Additional enhancements include:
● Increased standing height in the pilothouse
● Removal of the centerboard from the fixed keel
● Integration of two Volvo engines instead of Yanmar engines
● Expanded engine room capacity
Team effort
This project represents the collective effort of an incredible team, united by a shared spirit of adventure and a dedication to innovation and sustainability.
Eeuwe Kooi, founder of KM Yachtbuilders: “This project represents the collective effort of an incredible team, united by a shared spirit of adventure and a dedication to innovation and sustainability.”
Both Skip Novak, the renowned ocean sailor and commercial director of Pelagic Expeditions, and owner
Nicolás Ibáñez Scott, a Chilean entrepreneur and adventurer, were also present during the launch. Skip
Novak explains the idea behind the second Pelagic 77 Amundsen: “The decision to build a sister ship for the Vinson of Antarctica was based on the success of this design concept. This yields valuable projects that contribute to education for schools in Chile and Spain. These include a north-south crossing of the Atlantic Ocean to the southern hemisphere, where the Vinson now calls South America its home territory.“
Nicolás Ibáñez Scott adds the vision and values for Vinson of Antarctica and Amundsen: “In an era where
much of the world has been mapped and explored, Amundsen’s journeys remind us that the true essence of adventure lies not just in discovering new places but in the courage to dream, to dare, and to embark on journeys that test our limits and expand our horizons.”
Team Pelagic 77 Amundsen
Shipyard: KM Yachtbuilders, Netherlands
Representative: Skip Novak, Pelagic Yachts, United Kingdom
Vinson of Antarctica
Architect: Tony Castro Design, United Kingdom
Supervisor: Peter Wilson, MCM Newport, USA
Amundsen Specifications
Length Overall (LoA): 23.50 m
Waterline Length (LwL): 20.55 m
Beam: 6.20 m
Draft: 2.15 m
Material: Aluminum
Engines: 2x Volvo
Mast: 2x Axxon, carbon
Interior: Bamboo
Capacity: 8 guests and 3 crew members