YYachts presents its new groundbreaking Y8 model

YYachts proudly unveils its groundbreaking Y8 model, marking a bold departure in design while honouring the legacy of its predecessors. This vessel showcases an unprecedented approach to sailing yacht architecture, combining innovative technology with luxurious aesthetics.

Michael Schmidt explains. “The thinking is completely different from the previous models – a different interpretation of the coach roof and the cockpit created by a design icon leader and a YYachts customer who was sailing his Y7 for many years. This new Y8 has also a different thinking for the interior. The owner loves space inside and this yacht has probably a saloon bigger than on a 90-footer, which he first wanted to build.”

Drawing from the rich heritage the Y8 embodies a transformative vision. Spearheaded by the esteemed naval architect Javier Jaudenes from Surge-Projects and a distinguished in-house design team, this yacht introduces a radically new silhouette. Jaudenes, known for his award-winning designs like Win Win and Café Racer, has once again delivered a design that marries sleek elegance with high performance.

This next-generation yacht boasts a saloon of unparalleled size for its class, featuring vertical walls that enhance the sense of space. This architectural feat not only maximizes interior volume by 20% compared to its predecessor but also opens up a myriad of layout possibilities. Owners can tailor the enormous saloon area to their tastes, with YYachts offering four pre-designed interior styles. Yet, the customization possibilities are limitless, with bespoke furniture options available to meet any owner's vision.

The interior, designed by renowned Danish designer David Thulstrup, reflects a sophisticated blend of modern and Scandinavian influences. Thulstrup's design prioritizes warmth and comfort, using a palette of beige, brown, and wood tones to create an inviting and elegant atmosphere. His approach ensures that each space within the yacht resonates with the occupants' well-being, making the Y8 not just a mode of transportation but a sanctuary on the sea.

The owner's suite, including a separate saloon, can be located either in the bow or in the stern with direct access to the cockpit.  The galley can be installed open or closed, and three or four cabins can be fitted. By moving the engine room below the saloon floor, the yacht has a lower centre of gravity and thus a better balance, which results in additional speed.

At its core, the Y8 remains true to YYachts' philosophy of "keeping it simple," with pre-engineered options that simplify operation without sacrificing luxury. “For me, this new Y8 is a very special design,” says Michael Schmidt. “After all, I founded the shipyard with the first Y8. In between, there were a lot of orders. But yachting is always evolving due to new building materials, different rigs and also the regatta scene. This is what inspires us at YYachts to continually develop new products.”

Moreover, the Y8 introduces technical enhancements such as standard a carbon mast, a hydraulic main sheet system, and all winches close to the helm stations, which underscore YYachts' commitment to build owner driven boats. These features, along with the self-tacking jib and a lack of a backstay, enhance the yacht's performance and ease of handling, ensuring an enjoyable sailing experience.

Designer’s Comment (Javier Jaudenes/Surge Projects)

We felt deeply honoured when YYachts approached us to collaborate on his ground-breaking project, the Y8.

Our design mission was crystal clear: to develop a vessel seamlessly blending performance, comfort, and ease of handling. The significant challenge for Surge was to conceive an aesthetically pleasing vessel capable of accommodating four distinct layouts while maintaining essential structural elements, all without compromising headroom.

Her maximum beam extends to the transom, with flared sides ensuring substantial hull stability and a generous garage space to accommodate a sizable tender plus ample storage. Considering the operational mode, we opted for a moderate aspect ratio rig, optimising the fore triangle base dimension J to ensure optimal driving forces for the jib, particularly during jib reaching. The sail plan configuration strikes a balance between delivering substantial driving forces and mitigating heeling moments, delaying reefing until wind speeds of 18 knots. The inclusion of a double rudder configuration enhances manoeuvrability, providing confident handling and responsive yaw control over all sailing conditions.

Specifications Y8 

Length overall (LoA)              approx. 23.99 m (78 foot)
Bow sprit extension               approx. 25.99 m 
Length Waterline (LWL)         approx. 22.40 m
Beam                                       approx. 6.58 m
Displacement (Light ship)     approx. 38.8 t
Draft (fixed keel)                     approx. 4.30 m (optional 3.70 m)
Draft (lifting keel)                    approx. 2.80 - 4.30 m
Ballast (fixed keel)                  approx. 13.30 t
Ballast (telescopic)                 approx. 12.50 t
Ballast (shallow draft)            approx. 13.80 t
Fuel Tank                                 ca. 1300 l
Fresh Water                            ca. 1300 l
Black Water                            ca. 320 l
Naval Architects                    Surge-Projects / Javier Jaudenes 
Interior-Design                      David Thulstrup 
Classification                         CE Category “A”
Yard                                        YYachts GmbH