Why limit your superyacht to a single hull when you can have three? Superyacht with a single hull or triple-hulled trimaran? Mark Evans believes there is no contest.
Evans is the head of Australian megayacht manufacturer McConaghy Boats. Together with Mani Frers, the head of the Italian design studio Frers Design, they have created a completely developed, ready-to-build concept for the MC155, a 153-foot silver-bullet power trimaran.
It is a follow-up to McConaghy’s first power trimaran endeavour, the razor-bowed Adastra. It emerged from McConaghy’s Zhuhai, China yard in 2012, and was deemed by some to be “the world’s most beautiful boat.”
Almost a decade later, there is a family resemblance that borders on déjà vu. However, there are significant distinctions between the two yachts. The MC155 is not futuristic in appearance, but could be misconstrued for a conventional, albeit stylish, monohull. “It’s all about increased efficiency,” Evans said of the hull design, according to Robb Report. The MC155’s drag coefficient is so low that its operating costs are comparable to a monohull half its size.
For the MC155, which is powered by a pair of 1,380 hp MTU turbodiesels, this would translate to an impressive maximum speed of approximately 35 mph. Reducing the throttle to the 14-mph cruising speed would result in a range of over 4,500 miles, or from Miami to the Mediterranean on a single tank. The hull of the MC155 has been tank-tested in Germany in 18-foot waves. In addition, its five-foot draught permits it to navigate the shallow waters of cruising grounds such as the Bahamas.
Evans asserts, “even compared to a similar-sized twin-hulled power catamaran, MC155 would offer superior fuel efficiency, speed, and operating costs.” With a 36-foot beam, it would likely be easier to locate a marina parking space.
Then there is the element of flair. The bold, dramatic lines of MC155 stand out in a time when many younger purchasers of superyachts desire distinctive, head-turning designs. Mani Frers, grandson of the illustrious Argentine yacht designer Germán Frers, is responsible for their design.
The MC155 is a head-turner, from its sleek, slender vertical bow to the wing-like design of its outer vessels to its uncluttered, sweeping superstructure. “The integration of the outer floats into the main body has allowed us to utilise the full beam to provide a really spacious interior,” says Frers, whose portfolio includes the legendary 85-foot maxi race yacht Boomerang.
Frers’s daring design for MC155 envisions the entire upper deck as an owner’s suite, with a forward-facing bedroom featuring 180-degree views, oversized closets, a gym, and a lounge with glass doors leading to a vast private terrace. The terrace is so large that it can also serve as a helipad.
On the main deck, the full-beam salon and dining areas capture the indoor-outdoor atmosphere by seamlessly extending out onto the expansive rear deck. Aft are an outdoor bar, a number of couches for lounging and a Jacuzzi pool with steps leading down to a retractable swim platform.
Three spacious en-suite accommodations are located belowdecks in the main hull, while the outer hulls are wide enough to accommodate all the essential water toys.
In the port hull, a drop-down door exposes a space large enough for a 21-foot RIB, while the opening in the starboard hull can accommodate jet skis, kayaks, Seabobs, and paddle boards.
Design Unlimited, based in the United Kingdom, was responsible for the interior design of the MC155; however, according to Evans, in the pre-construction phase, the buyer will be able to choose the configuration and interior fixtures.
Identical to the propulsion mechanism. While the large MTUs will provide ample power, a yacht owner may want a battery system and electric propulsion to enable the vessel to enter environmentally sensitive areas with zero emissions.
According to Evans, the original designs for the trimaran were established two years ago when a buyer commissioned the yacht. After making substantial investments in the development, he withdrew when his business interests shifted. “MC155 is so much more than just a concept,” he explains. “Over the course of two years of development, significant design and engineering work has already been completed. This drastically reduces the construction duration. We anticipate two years from start to completion.”
