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XPM-85: a 52 t, Explorer Yacht Machine - The Hull

Updated: Apr 20, 2023

Sometimes in life, it becomes evident that others have more nerve than me! I felt this when standing on the swim platform of Vanguard, looking wistfully at the recently turned hull of an XPM-85 under construction in the yard of Naval Yachts, Antalya. The hull is massive, extended deeper, and broader than Vangaurd. 66% bigger by block coefficient, 29% by displacement. My lovely wife, Sebrina, began asking awkward questions, starting with "Why can't .....". I answered, "someone will need to hire a crew". Silence fell upon a scene of strained marital bliss.

Picture shows hull of XPM-85 prior to being skinned, scantlings are well in excess of Code requirements. The figure for scale is my friend Don Gregory, Extra First Class Engineer.



Hull Statistics


For those who know of the FPB 78, Iron Lady, Cochise or Grey Wolf II, the XPM 85 fills a similar space with comparable hull statistics, propulsion power, and internal arrangements. Look HERE for a similar comparison of the FPB70 and XPM78. Hydrodynamics being what they are, I'd anticipate a similar in-class performance. Hull No 1 is under construction, over twelve months into her 20-month build. Hull No 2 has gone to contract, and we hope to see the signature soon. The race is on.





Compare the Hulls

To compare the hulls, look at the table below listing basic parameters for XPM-78, XPM-85 from Dennis Harjamaa at Artnautica, and FPB-78 from Steve & Linda Dashew.


XPM- 85, hull turned. XPM - 78 in the background.

​

XPM-78

XPM-85

FPB-78

Length (M)

22.4

25.4

26.27

Beam (M)

5.13

6.2

6.1

Draft (M)

1.3

1.6

1.4

Displacement (MT)

41

52

55

Power (total kW)

270 (Hybrid)

370 (Diesel)

340 (Diesel)

Solar (kW)

6.5

6.3

N/A

Class

MCA Cat (0)

MCA Cat (0)

MCA (0) & Others

Notes

in build

in build

2 sailing

I'll keep this blog short as we have prepared a detailed video describing the project. I hope you all enjoy it, feel free to add a comment or two!




Acknowledgement to:

  • John Johnson (yachtbouy) for preparing the Youtube videography

  • Andrew & Lili (the owners of No 1) for kindly allowing me to write about their personal project.

NB : FPB-78 "Grey Wolf II" is currently for sale.

Contact Sue Grant of Berthon International. Sue.Grant@Berthon.co.uk



Chris Leigh-Jones


The Hull of XPM-85 reminds me a little of an experience I once had at Hyundai Shipyard, Ulsan, Korea, in the 1980s. I was standing on the key looking at four gas carriers under construction in their drydock. One was minus the stern section, so I casually asked where it was. The answer: wait for it, wait - "you are standing underneath it"! Quite a surprise I had at that moment.

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