Like a Runabout
The technical sea trials of MY Lucia-M, the first Jongert 3900MY, took place. Jongert reports that the way in which the 39m yacht maneuvers, at all speeds, is remarkable. “It’s unbelievable”, says a spokesman of Jongert Shipyard, “This yacht weighing over 200 metric tons maneuvers like a runabout.” Photo courtesy of E.J. Bruinekool Fotografie.
The sea trials were held on the IJsselmeer (the Old Dutch inner sea) and the North Sea. “The combination of propellers, rudders, their mutual positioning and shape of the underwater vessel is ideal for all speeds”, explains a spokesman who held the rudder during the sea trials. “Executing a Williamson Turn at a speed of 29 knots is easy. Even at that speed you are always in full control. After a so-called “crash-stop” the yacht stops within three ships lengths and that from a speed of 15 meters per second. The yacht lying still with counter set propellers, without help of the very effective bow- and stern thruster, can literally pivot around its axis. The stabilizers (VT Naiad trim/stabilization system) function very well.”
He continues: “Remarkable is also the fact that on the IJsselmeer, which is only 6 meters deep, the yacht having a draught of two meters effortlessly achieves its top speed without first drawing its back deeply into the water. The master can choose from an unlimited range of speeds. Many gliders and half gliders have a relatively large speed range where you are as they say ‘climbing the mountain’ causing unpleasant heavy stern waves and high fuel consumption.”