A new, collaborative 50.4-metre sailing catamaran concept known as Project Elemental promises to bridge the gap between motor yacht luxury and the thrill of sailing. Holly Margerrison joined the team behind the design for a lunch at Quai des Artistes during the Monaco Yacht Show to explore how this ambitious project combines performance, comfort and sustainability in a vessel designed to appeal to seasoned sailors and motor yacht owners alike…
Unveiled exclusively to BOAT, Project Elemental marks an ambitious step for Tripp Design Naval Architecture and British studio Design Unlimited, with brokerage Superyacht Partners bringing the project to market. Away from the bustle of the boat show, the conversation revealed that the catamaran is not just about size – it’s about reshaping perceptions of what large sailing yachts can offer.
“We wanted something exciting, but not too exciting – fun to sail at 18 knots, but never white-knuckle,” Bill Tripp of Tripp Design explained. “It’s about balance: a yacht that can open up the globe for its owner without ever feeling out of control.”
Tripp highlighted that the boat is designed to attract owners who aren’t fond of the heeling of a racing yacht, while still offering the space, luxury and versatility typically associated with motor yachts. “With sailing, you can go anywhere, generate power while reducing fuel use and take full control of your journey.”
Leading yacht broker Will Bishop of Superyacht Partners added that hybrid and regenerative systems essentially take range out of the equation: “You’re giving yourself a far greater range than any motor yacht while burning much less fuel.”
Tripp emphasised safety, noting that the catamaran is inherently stable: “This isn’t a boat that capsizes in strong winds. You want it exhilarating, but never terrifying.”
