Engineering Excellence: Key Features of the Pelagic 77 ‘Amundsen’
MCM Newport, having successfully supervised the construction of ‘Vinson of Antarctica,’ played a key role in overseeing the build of the second Pelagic 77, ‘Amundsen,’. Named in honor of the famed Norwegian polar explorer Roald Amundsen, this vessel reflects both adventure and technological advancement and was recently delivered from KM Yachtbuilders yard in Makkum, Netherlands. This significant event marks the culmination of two years of dedicated effort and collaboration by this experienced team.
Peter Wilson shared insights into the project: “We took on the same role for ‘Amundsen’ as we did for ‘Vinson of Antarctica’ – acting as the owner’s surveyor and inspector, overseeing construction matters. All the valuable lessons learned from ‘Vinson’ have been applied to ‘Amundsen.'”
Built with an aluminium hull and superstructure, ‘Amundsen’ features the masterful design of naval architect Tony Castro. Her 6.2-meter beam is highlighted by a red stripe near her waterline, and she boasts two carbon masts designed for optimal sail distribution and redundancy.
Discussing the choice of aluminium for the hull and superstructures, Wilson noted, “Aluminium offers great strength, ease of repair, and better weight performance as compared to steel. With Tony Castro’s design and Skip Novak’s racing background, good sailing performance is fundamental. A well-designed yacht is always more fun to sail.“
On her interior, ‘Amundsen’ offers a wheelhouse/staging area and control station, a spacious lounge/dining room with an adjacent galley and nav/comm suite, and accommodations in six double cabins. This vessel includes several important improvements and upgrades over her sister ship.
Key Differences and Improvements:
- Propulsion System: ‘Amundsen’ is equipped with new, eco-friendly Volvo engines that meet current MARPOL standards.
- Keel Configuration: The centerboard has been eliminated in favor of a fixed keel with a fin and bulb setup, eliminating moving parts and enhancing reliability in her long, self-sufficient expeditions.
- Interior Adjustments: The wheelhouse now offers increased headroom, providing a more comfortable space for operations.
- Engine Room Capacity: The engine room has been expanded to accommodate the new engines and additional equipment, making equipment access and maintenance easier.
Wilson elaborated on the improvements: “in her relatively short life, ‘Vinson’ has been a great success, traveling thousands of miles in some of the world’s toughest conditions in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. For ‘Amundsen,’ we updated the autopilot and steering gear and improved many details in the rig, rigging, deck, and interior to enhance her performance and reliability.“
Wilson also shared his vision for the future of expedition vessels: “Many sailors, adventurers, scientists, explorers, and researchers want to travel to the far corners of the planet. The Vinson/Amundsen program offers ideal platforms for such expeditions. I am looking forward to my chance to go on board in Antarctica!”