The global superyacht industry has long chased records, yet few projects combine scale with genuine technical innovation. Royal Huisman’s latest proposal does exactly that. SKY arrives as a fully resolved design, eliminating the typical six-year development cycle that usually separates initial concept from delivery. The shipyard, Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design and Winch Design have completed the complex engineering work, creating a vessel that promises both performance and practicality at an unprecedented scale.
The yacht’s dimensions tell part of the story, 81 metres in length with a mast soaring 93 metres above the waterline. Yet the project’s real significance lies in its execution. From propulsion systems to interior layouts, the fundamental design challenges have been solved, leaving room for owner customisation without compromising the delivery timeline.
Carbon and Aluminium Innovation
SKY’s design prioritises serious ocean performance. The hull is aluminium, optimised for weight distribution, and paired with a lift keel, while Rondal provides the carbon rig, topping the previous record by roughly four metres. The integrated sail system manages a square top sailplan, and twin carbon composite rudders ensure handling that would usually be associated with yachts under 50 metres.
Performance projections suggest SKY can outpace both true wind and comparable-length motor yachts. The long waterline, powerful rig, and advanced control systems allow for impressive sailing efficiency, while multiple helm positions and a flybridge enhance visibility in all conditions. Seating areas offer options for both sun exposure and shade, combining comfort with capability.
“We wanted to challenge convention in both scale and elegance. The aim was to create a yacht that sails as beautifully as it looks.”
Malcolm McKeon, Naval Architect, Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design
Seamless Sea Access
Connection to the sea informs much of SKY’s design philosophy. The stern includes a beach deck with an extendable swim platform, while a full-beam mid lazarette features folding side platforms. The cockpit incorporates folding bulwarks for flexibility in various conditions.
Below deck, storage accommodates a 12-metre tender, a crew rescue tender, two water scooters, and extensive equipment including sea bobs, diving gear, bicycles, paddleboards, and kayaks. This eliminates the need for a support vessel, enhancing practicality for extended voyages.
Luxury Interiors by Winch Design
Accommodation for ten to twelve guests combines comfort with understated luxury. Winch Design has developed interiors that feature clean architectural lines, natural textures, and restrained palettes enhanced through subtle detailing. Large areas of glazing blur the boundaries between interior and exterior, flooding spaces with natural light.
The owner’s suite spans the full beam, opening directly onto the aft beach deck. Midship includes wellness spa facilities, and dedicated zones support water sports activities.
“Our approach harmonises expansive interior and exterior spaces, creating areas that flow naturally between different activities and environments.”
Andrew Winch, Founder, Winch Design
SKY’s propulsion system combines electric azimuthing propeller pods with four main generators and a battery bank, allowing silent, emission-free operation. Peak-shaving reduces fuel consumption, and the system includes energy regeneration during sailing. Certified by Lloyd’s Register as “Hybrid Power,” the architecture draws on Royal Huisman’s experience across previous hybrid projects.
The system offers both environmental benefits and practical advantages. Silent operation eliminates fumes, and battery capacity supports extended periods of quiet running—valuable when anchoring in protected areas or navigating sensitive marine zones.
Fast-Tracked with Personalisation
With design and engineering complete, SKY offers an unusually swift path to production for a yacht of this scale. Royal Huisman CEO Peter Naeyé emphasises that while the core design is finalised, layout and styling remain flexible to suit owner preferences. Construction will take place at the shipyard’s Vollenhove facility in the Netherlands, leveraging decades of expertise in large sailing yacht fabrication.
Delivery is scheduled for spring 2030, roughly half the time usually required for custom superyachts of this size. This accelerated schedule comes from completing preliminary design, production engineering, and supplier agreements well in advance. The yacht builds on lessons from Sarissa, a 60-metre sloop that won ten industry awards in 2024, demonstrating Royal Huisman’s proven track record in ambitious sailing projects.
SKY targets owners who value both sailing performance and global cruising capability. At 81 metres, it offers space and amenities comparable to large motor yachts while maintaining authentic sailing credentials. The record-breaking mast height creates visual drama, but the design prioritises functionality, offering a technically resolved, ready-to-build option for buyers.