Rupert Holmes takes a look at the newly announced Arcona 50, a yacht that breaks new ground for the Swedish yardThis Swedish yard\u2019s new flagship, the Arcona 50, represents more than just a step up in size \u2013 it\u2019s also the outcome of a different philosophy. This is especially apparent in the choice of designer \u2013 X-Yachts\u2019 founder Niels Jeppesen \u2013 although there are also other respects in which it breaks new ground for Arcona.
\nHistorically the bulk of the yard\u2019s clients were Swedish owners, most of whom kept their boats in one of the country\u2019s many archipelagos, where the combination of light displacement and tall rig was ideal for the local conditions, as well as allowing owners to race competitively.
\nThat picture has changed over the past few years and CEO Urban Lagn\u00e9us tells me the UK is now by far the company\u2019s biggest market. This larger model was also conceived from the outset as a boat for longer distance sailing, while still retaining the brand\u2019s fundamental attributes.
\nThe Arcona 50 is designed with a view to taking on longer distance cruising
\nAt the same time as the yard was looking to create a larger model, Arcona\u2019s long standing de facto in house designer Stefan Qviberg passed away. \u201cWe therefore needed a new person to create this boat,\u201d says Lagn\u00e9us. \u201cAt that time, Niels and Ariadna Pons were setting up a new design office, so we had a meeting and discovered we all speak the same boat language, so it was an easy choice.
\n\u201cA 50ft boat is much more one for the ocean than our smaller boats,\u201d he told me. \u201cSo our aim for this one was an offshore yacht that will be quick when sailing long distances \u2013 we wanted it to be one of the quickest 50-footers \u2013 but it also has many comforts.\u201d
\nThe yacht has been kept as light as possible, without compromising strength or stiffness. Lagn\u00e9us says the most cost effective way of doing this is with foam-cored composite furniture and bulkheads, in place of the plywood that\u2019s more usually used. This model therefore only uses carbon in key structural areas, especially where it can help keep weight out of the ends of the boat.
\nA similar philosophy of saving weight was also applied to the selection of hotel systems and deck gear. A single saving of 5, 10 or 15kg may not sound important for a boat of this size, but once that\u2019s scaled up to scores of items the cumulative reduction can be considerable. This helps keep total displacement in check and allows for a heavier keel bulb \u2013 an aspect that\u2019s often compromised when a boat ends up being heavier than the designer originally intended.
\nThe Arcona 50\u2019s hull shape has proportionally much wider aft sections than previous models, with more flare above the waterline and soft chines fairly high up the topsides. It\u2019s therefore a shape that doesn\u2019t have a great deal of wetted surface area in light airs, but stability builds quickly as heel increases and there are twin rudders for ultimate control. These can also be positioned further aft than a single rudder, which allows more of the hull\u2019s length to be used for both accommodation and stowage.
\nThe Arcona 50 has space for a transverse tender garage without impacting too much on interior volume
\nThis leaves room for a transverse tender garage, without pushing the aft cabins too far forward. Watertight composite bulkheads separate the accommodation from both the bow sail locker and the tender garage.
\nThis is also the first Arcona to have L-shaped benches with twin tables in the forward part of the cockpit and therefore a clear passage between the transom and companionway. Below decks there\u2019s a minimalist Scandinavian style with lots of natural light from hull windows and flush overhead hatches. Aft cabins can be converted between twin and double formats, while there\u2019s a large forward owner\u2019s cabin.
\nConstruction of the first Arcona 50 is scheduled to start in September 2022, with five boats planned for launch in 2023. Pricing will be determined closer to the launch date.
\nArcona 50 specifications
\nHull length: 14.99m 49ft 2in
\nBeam: 4.60m 15ft 1in
\nDraught: 2.95m, 2.5m or 2.2m\u00a0 9ft 8in, 8ft 2in or 7ft 3in
\nDisplacement (deep keel): 13,900kg 30,650lb
\nBallast: (deep keel) 4,600kg 10,140lb
\nPrice: TBA
\nBuilder: www.arconayachts.se<\/p>\n
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Rupert Holmes takes a look at the newly announced Arcona 50, a yacht that breaks new ground for the Swedish yardThis Swedish yard\u2019s new flagship, the Arcona 50, represents more than just a step up in size \u2013 it\u2019s also … <\/p>\n