Cruising for Adventure
Purpose built to access the inaccessible, we take a look at Damen's incoming SeaXplorer range
To think of “expedition” yachts, ones mind wanders to the likes of the Piriou built motoryacht Yersin, or Perini Navi’s spectacular Grace E. Both boast capabilities that cater to the increasing demand for adventure beyond the usual routes of the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Routes such as the Northwest Passage, mystical polar adventures caked in ice and intrigue are the glint in the eye of expeditionary “yachties”, and custom built to accommodate such adventurism are the likes of SeaXplorer.
Currently in development, this unique range of yachts from Dutch firm Damen, will be the world’s first private yachts built to the International Maritime Organisation Polar Code (category B).
Three variants at 65, 90 and 100 metres are purpose built both to cruise at ease in the Med and cut through waters capped with up to 1 metre of ice. Facilitating 40 days journey without port call and boasting room for up to two helicopters (on the larger SeaXplorer 100) plus a suite of tenders and toys, including submersibles for exploring beneath the waves, the picture is painted of a high-tech cruiser in which to recreate historic routes of explorers past.
