Quest for a
delicate balance
The 102-metre Project ‘Balance’ claims to be very different in its design concept
and approach from other motor yachts. But it is very much the preserve of the wealthy
Traditional motor yacht
design often begins with the
conception of interior layouts
or an exterior pro le. Following
the development of these, the naval
architect is left to determine the resulting
gross tonnage, and optimise a hull and
propulsion package around the design.
This process frequently leads to yachts
of a signi cant volume, in relation to their
dimensions, and the demand for relatively
high maximum speeds can result in a
design that is in a vicious circle of everincreasing
gross tonnage, driving more
weight, more power and more technical
space; in turn, driving the need to
increase gross tonnage further.
Designed by Sinot, enabled by
Oceanco’s LIFE platform, and developed
in collaboration with British naval
architecture and engineering rm Lateral,
the 102-metre Project ‘Balance’ claims to
be very different, leveraging a number of
fundamental naval architectural principles
to deliver a design that operates in what
is described as a ‘virtuous circle’: less
weight, less power, less technical space,
in turn driving the need for a lower overall
gross tonnage and affording a better
balance of technical and luxury space on
board. Delivering an extensively optimised
long waterline and slender hull to form
low resistance, the design, according
to Oceanco, sits at the top of MARIN’s
statistical database for modern motor
yacht forms. This virtuous circle is said
to have resulted in being able to select a
lower engine block series, which means a
signi cant reduction in the vertical height
required in main machinery spaces.
At the centre of the ‘circle’ is the
result: a single tier engine room. Where
conventional designs of this size would
usually employ a full height engine room,
Balance is able to utilise a single tier
design. Coupled with a hybrid propulsion
system, this is said to deliver exceptional
performance and is con gured to offer
multiple operational modes, each
matched to the variable operating
pro le of a yacht designed to adventure
autonomously across the world’s oceans.
The single tier engine room at the heart
of the LIFE platform delivers greater
accommodation and lifestyle space, as
well as more exibility in layout.
Explaining the engineering design
philosophy behind the project, Lateral’s
managing director James Roy states that
balance is indeed at the very heart of the
PROJECT BALANCE: TECH SPECS
Length Overall: 102.0m
Length Waterline: 102.0m
Beam: 15.3
Draught (Half Load): 3.7m
Gross Tonnage: 3000
Maximum Speed: 18.5 knots
Ef cient Cruise: 14.5-16.0 knots
Range: 5300m
Main Propulsion Engines:
2x 16V2000M72 @ 1440kW
Generator Package: 3x 500ekW
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