“It is a great pleasure and honour to have contributed significantly in realising this trendsetting 81m project for a client in Asia,” said Bart Kimman of Northrop & Johnson Hong Kong, when it was announced at Monaco Yacht Show late September that premier Dutch super sailboat builder Royal Huisman “has been commissioned to build a truly breathtaking contemporary three-masted schooner”.

Said Royal Huisman spokesman Jurjen van ‘t Verlaat: “To hear a client say ‘build me my dream’ is – without a doubt – a dream come true for any yacht builder.” This client’s dream has an impressive 81m or 266ft overall length and a plumb bow, making her powerful and recognizable all over the world, and she will be ranked in the top 10 of the world’s largest sailing yachts. By any measure, this is a superyacht destined for greatness.

Together with Dykstra Naval Architects, designer Mark Whiteley and regional liaison by Bart Kimman of Northrop & Johnson, Royal Huisman will make this dream yacht become a reality, keeping their promise of ‘if you can dream it, we can build it’.

The latter is not an idle boast. Royal Huisman has a picture-postcard yard at Vollenhove, about an hour’s drive from Amsterdam, where great innovations are constantly under way, and many an owner has fallen under its spell during visits there.

American Dr Jim Clark launched his first 47m Royal Huisman sloop Hyperion, after seeing his friend’s lovely Juliet, in 1998. However, it wasn’t long before he also ordered the 90m Royal Huisman schooner Athena, delivered in 2004, and later the classic J-Class Hanuman. Clark’s wife Kirsty is Australian, and Athena has spent much time in Asia-Pacific waters, as have other Royal Huisman yachts such as Juliet, Anakena, Twizzle and Ethereal.

Last year Taipei-based Dr Samuel Yin Yen Liang took delivery of the 43m Royal Huisman sloop Sea Eagle, which was a cover story in Yacht Style’s last issue. Dr Yin is the philanthropic founder of the Tang Prize, which offers endowments of higher value than the Nobel Prize. Bart Kimman in Hong Kong handled this sale too. Time will tell if there are similarities with Dr Clark’s case, but the yard will not reveal more details about the project until much later, and many other Asian yachtsmen have the experience and wealth to order such a schooner. Royal Huisman has been active in Asia-Pacific markets for two decades, and there have been lots of high-level talks.

Thys Nikkels of Dykstra Naval Architects said that “creating an innovative contemporary schooner for fast passage making is one to kick off our Bucket List”, while Mark Whiteley described it as “a very special experience, so I’m thrilled”.

The vessel will be built in aluminium, and delivered in 2020. Mast and booms are by Royal Huisman subsidiary Rondal. Classification is to Lloyds MCA LY-3. Twelve guests and 13 crew are accommodated.

This article was first published in Yacht Style.