Star Clipper to Build Biggest Clipper Yet

by Sail-World Cruising on 11 Sep 2007 Star Clippers, those doyennes of modern sailing ships, have announced that they will build their largest sailing ship so far. It will be an astonishing 518 feet (158 metres) long, and the rest of the dimensions are similarly astonishing.

The company has been in discussions with shipyards to build the new five-masted vessel for delivery in 2010. Set to be the largest, most expensive sailing vessel ever constructed, the 7,400-ton barque is modeled on France II, which at 5,000 tons was the world's largest sailing ship when it was launched in 1912.

The ship will be 61 feet at the beam with a draft of 20 feet. It will carry 37 sails for a total of 68,350 square feet of sail surface area. The rig will extend 217 feet above the waterline, and the open Sun Deck area will be an expansive 8,200 square feet.

The ship has been designed to make it capable of operating independently of any port infrastructure. With its Ice Class C hull, extra heavy anchor gear, davit dampening system and specially modified tenders, the ship will be able to sail virtually anywhere in the world.

It's a big jump in size from the Royal Clipper – 48% bigger – and the Royal Clipper is currently the largest full-rigged sailing ship in the world.

However, the new ship will carry only 30 percent more passengers, with a double-occupancy capacity of 296 and a crew of 140.

This leaves extra space for even more luxury than on previous ships. There will be two 592-square-foot owner's suites, and each can be divided into two separate cabins with their own verandas.

Thirty deluxe suites of 323 square feet and two deluxe deck cabins measuring 215 square feet will have private verandas as well. There will be 104 outside cabins of 162 square feet and 10 inside cabins measuring 129 square feet.

Shipboard facilities include everything the most demanding of billionaires could want. They will include a two-level dining room capable of accommodating all passengers in one seating; a private dining room for groups of 50 or less; a Piano Lounge for dancing and cocktails; a two-level Tropical Bar for lectures, games and evening shows; a multipurpose Club Room that can convert to a 160-person conference room; a Dive/Sports Bar with music and televisions tuned to sporting events; it goes on and on... there'll be an observation room forward of the large open bridge; a library located aft; and a spa and gymnasium.

Then there is the outdoor fun gear. A retractable marina on the stern will provide access for water sports, snorkeling and diving. The ship will feature three swimming pools. The trademark Star Clippers midship glass-bottom pool will filter light down from the Sun Deck through the Piano Lounge to the Dining Room. The aft pool will feature a unique swim tube - to be used for scuba training - that extends down through the Dive/Sports Bar and into the Library.

The ship will also feature two shell doors in the hull to facilitate embarkation, either from a dock or on and off tenders. Two hydraulic side platforms are provided for tendering and water sports activities. The ship also will have four diesel-powered semi-rigid rescue/sport boats for use on expeditions and excursions as well as for water skiing, diving and chase boats.

France II itself was built by Chantiers de la Gironde in Bordeaux, France, for the New Caledonia nickel ore trade. While primarily a cargo vessel, France II also was outfitted as a passenger vessel, becoming one of the earliest cruise ships, complete with a piano bar, library, dark room and the world's first shipboard seawater spa. The new ship will be similar to France II, though not identical - it will have a wider beam to meet modern stability requirements, but the rigging and sail plan will be the same.

It also will have the same livery as France II, even down to the gun ports painted on the hull. For more information, www.starclippers.com.