Project Solar
An extensive cross-industry effort, Black Pearl
Legendary
Black Pearl is a sailing yacht with a length of 106.7 meters (350.1 feet), which was launched in 2016. With three DynaRig masts and a sail area of 2,900 square meters, it is the largest sailboat ever built (31,215 sq ft). During the course of its construction, the yacht was referred to as Oceanco Y712 and later as “Project Solar.” Aluminum superstructure and carbon fiber masts are used to construct the hull and superstructure. On June 21, 2021, the yacht was sold to the family of Russian billionaire Oleg Burlakov, who died in a plane crash.
Designs
This distinctive yacht was not the work of a single designer, but rather the result of an extensive cross-industry effort involving some of the world's most creative yacht designers. UK-based the work of Ken Freivokh can be found here.
Decor
Dykstra Naval Architects created three massive 230-foot DynaRig carbon masts for Black Pearl. It’s an entirely new way to set and furl your Black Pearl Sails thanks to this revolutionary new design. Because of how much easier it is to sail Black Pearl with the DynaRig than with fossil fuel propulsion that is the key to its effectiveness.
Concept
As a result of regenerative technologies, it is expected that Black Pearl will be able to cross the Atlantic using only 20 litres (4.4 imperial gal; 5.3 US gal) of fuel. One key technology to support this is the use of a variable pitch propeller to generate electricity by using the speed of the vessel through the water while under sail. In addition, heat capture technologies and large-scale storage batteries are installed on the yacht, allowing it to capture energy that is generated but not immediately used.
Feature
The sailing yacht Black Pearl is the largest in the world. The building was completed in 2018 in the Netherlands. Black Pearl, with her distinctive black sails and Dynarig set-up, is the second largest sailing yacht in the world and is instantly recognizable. Black Pearl, a 142.81-metre sailing yacht (officially designated as a sail-assisted motor yacht) that was delivered in the same year as Sailing Yacht A, spent five years in development at the Dutch shipyard Oceanco. Architects such as Dykstra Naval Architects, Ken Freivokh, Nuvolari Lenard, BMT Nigel Gee, and Gerard P Villate all contributed their knowledge and expertise to this monumental project, which is expected to turn heads around the world for decades to come.
Systems
Black Pearl was delivered in 2018 and measures 106.7 meters in length. It was built in the Netherlands by Oceanco. With a top speed of 17.5 knots and power provided by two MTU diesel engines, the Black Pearl is a powerful vessel. The Black Pearl has six staterooms and can accommodate up to 12 guests. 2700.0 GT gross tonnage and a beam of 15.0 meters characterize the Black Pearl. Nuvolari Lenard (who has designed 115 other superyachts) and Ken Freivokh collaborated on the design of Black Pearl (15 other superyachts designed). Designed by Nuvolari Lenard (101 other superyacht interiors designed), Ken Freivokh (135 other superyacht interiors designed), and Gerard P. Villate – Black Pearl is constructed of Teak decks, a Steel hull, and an Aluminum superstructure. Oceanco (26 other superyachts designed), BMT Nigel Gee (6 other superyachts designed), and Dykstra Naval Architects (27 other superyachts designed)
Advantage
Leader Design
The DynaRig owes its origins to Wilhelm Prölss’ research conducted in the 1960s, which led to its development. When in use, the DynaRig functions as a square rig because it is composed of freestanding rotating masts with rigid yards. Unlike a conventional square rigger, each of Black Pearl’s masts supports six yards, which, unlike a conventional square rigger, have a 12 percent built-in camber. The fifteen square sails are placed between the yards in such a way that when they are deployed, there are no gaps in the sail plan of each mast, allowing them to act as a single airfoil as a result of their close proximity. Furling sails are stored in the mast and can be deployed along tracks on the yards in as little as six minutes, if necessary. Rotating the masts allows for better trimming of the sails. Because there is no rigging, the masts and yards can be rotated freely for all points of sail, allowing Black Pearl to be a capable upwind clipper at all times.
