Baltic 110 Zemi she takes to the water for the first time in Jakobstad

A two-year build period culminated in the naming and launching of the Baltic 110 Zemi in Finland last week when the owner and his family broke a bottle of champagne over her keel to wish her on her way as she touched the water for the first time.

Intended primarily as a luxuriously appointed performance cruising yacht, capable of carrying the owner's family and friends on global sailing adventures in high and low latitudes, Zemi was built to Baltic's exacting standards in advanced carbon composites to a Malcolm McKeon design. Zemi is named after an ancient Caribbean deity.

She was built in the company's original Bosund facility and trucked by low loader to Baltic's waterside facility and launch site in Jakobstad, negotiating numerous bridges and the local railway line over which power cables were raised to allow the yacht to pass. The two-hour precision operation was completed on time in Jakobstad where a mobile crane was being prepared to lift Zemi into the water.

Celebrating Zemi's launch

At a moving launch and christening ceremony, the owner's party celebrated the start of Zemi's global adventure in traditional style by selecting a bottle of champagne saved from the launch party of their first yacht back in 2005. For Baltic's project manager, Tommy Johansson and the yacht's build team, watching the 565th yacht built by the company being craned into the water was a moment to savour and reflect on what they had achieved as they prepared to wish her farewell.

"Whenever we launch a yacht to join the Baltic family, it's fair to say the thoughts of many members of our staff sail away with her, celebrating the conclusion of another unique build and wishing her and her owner fantastic sailing," said Executive Vice President Henry Hawkins.

Distinctive superstructure revealed

As Zemi's striking metallic bronze hull was lowered into the water, the full extent of the yacht's remarkable teak deck and superstructure styling, described as 'classic aggressive' by the owner's representative, could be appreciated. Her vertical coachroof windows and streamlined, low-level superstructure are distinctive features as is her teak-skinned main cockpit which can be converted into a large sun lounging area and be protected by a combined fold-down spray hood and full-length removable bimini.

Details of her complex fold-out transom and bathing platform, which lead into a stern garage for a Williams tender, were also revealed, including McKeon's trademark wrap-over teak decking continuing onto the transom. Once in the water preparations were immediately underway for the stepping of Zemi's Southern Spars mast.

Zemi has a multitude of headsail options including a fixed furling J1 and J2, a detachable storm jib stay, a furling Code sail tacked forward of the J1 and a variety of A sails set off the fixed bowsprit, which is integral to the hull moulding. This arrangement enables a fast 'change of gear' to suit weather conditions.

Award-winning interior design

Zemi's stunning interior design is by award-winning Swedish architect Andreas Martin-Löf who has applied his minimalist style with an appreciation of sustainability and what he refers to as 'craft' to inject warmth and comfort into the accommodation. The predominant timber is walnut much of it in veneer form bonded onto super lightweight honeycomb structures. The weight saving theme continues throughout the yacht including in the head compartments where sink and surfaces use veneers of limestone bonded to lightweight carcasses.

Martin-Löf has paid particular attention to lighting, positioning 'lanterns' made of Japanese rice paper and walnut strips in the corners of the saloon and mounting light sources in panel divides to create subtle, indirect light and a 'less busy' environment. In addition, an abundance of natural light is provided by the 1.8m long saloon hull ports and extensive coachroof skylighting.

Refined electric propulsion

Zemi's owner has opted for a zero-emissions electric propulsion system using a 247kW Danfoss motor with direct drive to a four-bladed folding propeller, rather than a more usual controllable pitch propeller. The absence of a gearbox and the hydraulic controls required for a CPP, mean the drive train has fewer parts, takes up less space and saves considerable weight.

Two 129kW gensets charge a large bank of lithium-ion batteries which in turn drive the propulsion motor and supply all domestic, hydraulic and rig handling requirements. Hydrogeneration is possible using the free-wheeling folding propeller while sailing.

Worldwide performance cruising

Zemi is fitted with a telescopic lifting keel with a 28-tonne bulb, which can reduce draught from 6m to 3.95m. Together with her twin rudders she should provide a extremely rewarding sailing experience and be able to access a wide range of anchorages as she travels the world.

Following trials off Jakobstad this summer, Zemi will be heading north to Norway, then Svalbard and Iceland before turning her bows south towards Scotland. She will then head for the Canaries, followed by an Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean where she intends to compete in the St Barths Bucket in 2024.

From there she will ready herself for a transit of the Panama Canal and a crossing of the Pacific as she continues her around the world adventure.

Dimensions

LOA 33.50m
LWL 31.20m
Beam 7.60m
Draft 3.80m/5.80m
Displacement 95 tonnes
Ballast 28 tonnes

Design

Naval architect Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design
Interior design Andreas Martin-Löf Arkitekter
Owner's representative John Walker, A2B Marine Projects
Project Management
Baltic Yachts Tommy Johansson