A new 33-m Vitters sailing yacht has hit the waters. Christened Missy, and designed by Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design, the high-performance, carbon-fibre, sloop-rigged superyacht took two years in build.

The hull was constructed by Green Marine, Vitters’ composite subsidiary in Southampton, UK and outfitted at Vitters Shipyard in the Netherlands before being transported to Harlingen and commissioned for sea trials last week.

Engineered by Pure Composite in New Zealand and designed for a client with performance cruising in mind, Missy has a slim 7.5 m beam, a generous sail plan and a lifting keel.

Construction was with foam cored pre-preg, in a female mould.  The carbon fibre laminate reduces her internal structure and increases interior volume. Above deck, the carbon-fibre mast is from Southern Spars (with ECsix carbon rigging), and she carries a sail wardrobe from North Sails. 

Particular attention was paid to noise and vibration control; lightweight composite panels, with excellent soundproofing and thermal insulating properties, offer a harmonious combination of performance and comfort, as well as adhering to target weight goals.

“Missy has a spacious, comfortable interior in which a lot of attention was devoted to the efficient use of available space on board. The compact engine room is fitted with a great amount of equipment and state of the art technology, while no compromises has been made on comfort or the use of advanced technologies,” says Louis Hamming of Vitters Shipyard

For design enthusiasts, the largely glass canopy provides an open and airy feel to the saloon and is a welcome departure from the typical superstructure/windscreen arrangement more often seen aboard sailing superyachts. The glass superstructure features heat reflective interlayers, helping to keep the saloon cool in warmer climates.

The yacht also benefits from a fully automated bimini and dodger system that, when stowed, sits flush with the low profile superstructure.

“I’ve been in the superyacht business for 30 years, producing designs across a broad expanse of style, but it’s been a particularly exciting experience to design this superyacht for a new client, helping him transition from his knowledge of production boats to a fully-customised superyacht,”  says Malcolm McKeon, Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design

Although not the first design to be built by Vitters Shipyard that Malcolm McKeon has been involved with, it is the first from the drawing boards of his own design studio, and offered an exciting opportunity for Vitters to extend its work in high-performance, lightweight construction.  The project was managed by Klaus Allebrodt of A2B Consulting.

Every detail has been thoughtfully designed to the smallest element, from supports for the satellite domes to the deck hardware and drinks holders.  The cockpit seating arrangement is another interesting aspect for a yacht of this size, allowing guests to rest unhindered, safely nestled in comfort, whilst the yacht is underway, even during sailing manoeuvres.

A 4.1-m tender, sailing dinghy and other water sports equipment are housed in the lazarette.

The interior layout is designed to cater for a family, with a light saloon, cosy TV snug and, unusually, the galley is open-plan to the main saloon.  Across split-levels, the space encourages familial interaction more akin to apartment living than a sailing yacht.

The interior styling, by Design Unlimited, is contemporary with the oak joinery finished in light grey, complimented by textured accents that add warmth. 

The owner’s suite is forward, with three guest cabins, two forward and one aft – accommodating eight in total, plus a Pullman berth.  The yacht has accommodation for four crew in two twin cabins, both en-suite with separate stall showers.  The crew mess is generously sized, and the space has an emphasis on crew comfort for extended periods at sea.

Missy’s initial programme is to explore the Caribbean before embarking on a worldwide cruise.