J Craft Boats AB announces first United States delivery
J Craft Boats AB announces first United States delivery
J Craft Boats AB, Europe’s premier luxury yacht builder reports the delivery of AQUILA III, the company’s first Torpedo model built to US specifications. AQUILA III has been delivered to Key Largo, Florida and will be presented at the forthcoming Palm Beach International Boat Show between 21 to 24 March 2024.
Building on a strong 2023, 2024 marks a year of continued growth for J Craft Boats AB. The Swedish creators of the J Craft Torpedo, an exquisite, hand-crafted, bespoke day cruiser, reported a full order book for both 2024 and 2025 with orders now taken for deliveries in 2026.
Taking over 9,000 man-hours to build, by hand, AQUILA III is a Torpedo RS, and comes with two Volvo Penta IPS 650 engines that will take her to a top speed of in excess of 50 mph, (47 knots) as well as an impressive 280-nm range. The pod-mounted, forward-facing propellers offer exceptional maneuverability. Her hull shape, refined over two dozen builds, delivers excellent stability and performance in any sea state. The convertible open cockpit features two sundecks, comfortably accommodating up to 10 adults for day cruises. The spacious forward cabin which can be airconditioned or heated, sleeps up to 4 guests in luxurious style and features a beautifully designed, high-gloss mahogany day-head and shower room.
AQUILA III boasts a significant number of new design features as well as technological innovations. Fifteen years on from introducing J Craft’s first Torpedo model, AQUILA III pays homage to the Torpedo line’s inaugural Hull #1, “La Decadence”, boasting a regal midnight blue hull and a rich red and blue, tartan cockpit interior with a lavish splash of handpicked, exquisitely crafted Hermes upholstery inside the high gloss, fully mahogany clad, forward cabin, whose gorgeous, mahogany wood cabinetry house the Torpedo’s Rosenthal porcelain, Iittala glassware together with silverware, which is custom designed by Sweden’s very own Prince Carl-Philip Bernadotte, son to HRH, Carl XVI Gustav, King of Sweden who has owned J Craft’s first yacht, M/Y “Polaris”, since 1999, for now a quarter of a century. Ever-evolving, this Torpedo has a newly designed, beautifully hand-built mahogany/teak, portside staircase providing easy access to the cockpit. This represents a second access point, in addition to access provided through the Torpedo’s extended gangway, which is hidden in Torpedo’s beautifully designed signature transom, which hand-built, using a 1,000-year-old Viking wood bending technique is a testament to the artistic nature of each of these custom-built launches where form is of equal importance to function.
The staircase doubles up as a hatch, allowing easy access to the Torpedo’s second, mid-ship located, fully airconditioned or heated, cabin/technique compartment which in addition to all the Torpedo’s electronics also houses the Torpedo’s Seakeeper gyroscopic stabilisation system and the extended duration lithium-ion battery system. This system allows for a full day on the water, engines off, with music, charging, fridges, air conditioning and Seakeeper on, without the need to use the generator making it extra quiet and comfortable without the loss of any amenities.
AQUILA III is the first Torpedo to be equipped with Volvo’s Dynamic Positioning System (DPS) as well as the J Craft’s purpose designed, modular Garmin Solid State Radar system. Both these systems are fully integrated into Volvo Glass Cockpit, whose 10” screen, combines the DPS and solid-state radar system with Volvo’s Penta Engine Management System. When not needed, and at the touch of a button, the screen quietly disappears out of sight into the Torpedo’s dashboard, preserving the Torpedo classic lines and elegant appearance. The same applies to the modular radar which depending on requirements can be quickly and seamlessly mounted or dismounted.
For practicality and versatility this Torpedo is also equipped with a total of four fridge/freezers as well as a galley, together with a large swim platform. The swim platform houses an extra-wide, telescopically extending swim ladder, allowing for comfortable, staircase like access to and from the water. In addition to the shower facility inside the forward cabin, the Torpedo also offers a comfortable outdoor shower facility housed in the transom hatch above the swim platform.
J Craft Boat’s CTO and chief masterbuilder Johan Hallen will be presenting AQUILA III, the most fully equipped J Craft Torpedo to date, together with her sister ship Natalia at the Palm Beach International Boat Show (March 21 - 24).
Find J Craft Boats AB at the beginning of the E Dock, just by the North Entrance on Flagler Drive.
