Vanguard — Our Explorer Yacht
Vanguard is the second hull of the Naval Yachts XPM 78 — a platform conceived not as a luxury cruiser but as a commercial-grade expedition machine. She was commissioned in 2020, delivered in 2023, and has been actively operated and documented by her owner-skipper ever since.
The XPM 78 was designed for self-sufficient long-range operation ice-reinforced aluminium hull, hybrid diesel-electric propulsion, commercial dynamic positioning, and a build specification that meets MCA Category 0 certification. She is not a passage yacht that could do the Arctic. She is an Arctic-capable vessel that happens to be comfortable.
The entire build journey, every refit, every passage note, and every system upgrade is documented in 200+ blog posts on this site a level of transparency no broker listing can match.
Vanguard has not been kept in a marina. Since her 2023 delivery she has been actively operated across demanding passages — the most significant being a full Arctic transit to Greenland above 70°N with two experienced ice pilots aboard.
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Greenland Arctic Transit
Full transit above 70°N with two experienced ice pilots. Ice-reinforced hull and hybrid propulsion validated in actual high-latitude conditions — proven in practice, not just certified in theory.
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Hybrid System Validated
Praxis diesel-electric hybrid proven at sea over extended passages. 3.5L per nautical mile at cruise. Silent hotel-load on 140kWh battery without running engines.
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9,000nm Since Launch
Over 9,000 nautical miles logged since delivery in 2023. Every passage documented with skipper notes, system logs, and fuel records publicly available on this site.
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Commercial Systems At Work
Dynamic positioning, Magnus Master stabilisation, and commercial safety equipment operated in real sea conditions — not switched on for a survey and never used again.
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Short-Handed Operation
Operated two-up throughout. Commercial DP, Furuno Time Zero Professional navigation, and fully redundant critical systems mean she doesn't require a full crew to move.
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200+ Posts of Documentation
The most transparent handover in the market. Every system, every refit, every passage — documented publicly. A buyer can read three years of operational history before ever stepping aboard.
Vanguard carries the full XPM 78 commercial build specification. Key figures below — full technical documentation available in the sales brochure.
Vanguard is now offered for sale. She represents an exceptionally rare opportunity — a recently built, actively proven, commercially certified expedition yacht with a fully documented operational history and a motivated owner-seller.
Formal Sale Enquiries
Sale via Northrop & Johnson
Vanguard is listed for sale via Northrop & Johnson. For formal viewings, surveys, and purchase enquiries please contact the broker directly. For background questions about the vessel, her systems, or her documented history — use the contact form on this site.
The build journey, every sea passage, every refit, every system decision — documented across 200+ posts. Understanding what went into building Vanguard is the best way to understand what you are buying.