July/August 2018 passagemaker.com 13hulls were also fitted to some of the previous Alaskans.
Beyond that, the new Alaskans will take advantage of the
improvements that have been made to marine diesel propulsion
engines during the last decade or so—changes that provide
efficient performance over a broader range of operating speeds.
In other words, the modernizing of Alaskan Yachts has much
to do with refinements achieved through taking advantage of
improved design techniques, including advances in performance
modeling as well as advances in materials and equipment since
the older Alaskans were designed and built.
None of this should be taken to minimize the level of in-depth
experience, accumulated wisdom, and notable flair for practical
design that Seaton brings to the table on an ongoing basis.
Indeed, we at Alaskan cannot think of another contemporary
yacht designer who would be more suitable than Steve for
updating and carrying forward the Alaskan legend.
The first model will be a 66 flush deck. Can you talk more
about this specific model and when it might be scheduled?
Given the current state of our discussions with Alaskan
customers, it looks now as if the first new Alaskan Mk. II will
be a 56-footer in an aft-cabin configuration.
You are correct that the original 66 was a flush-deck model.
However, the new 66 Mk. II will be configured optionally as either
a flush deck model with the pilothouse up a single step from the
saloon or as a raised pilothouse (RPH) version with the pilothouse
raised three steps up from the saloon deck level for improved
operational capabilities at the enclosed lower helm. I predict the
choice will be made based on whether the buyer expects to spend
more time at the flybridge helm or at the lower control station.
The RPH configuration also affords the advantage of
increased headroom on the lower deck for a full-beam master
suite that, again, takes advantage of the 12% beamier hull to
bring megayacht style accommodations to these vessels of
moderate overall length.
As to schedule, we’re hoping to be tooling for the 56 Mk. II
by the end of the second quarter and to be delivering the first
of this model by next summer. We expect to tool for the 66 Mk.
II by the end of this year.
Granted, that’s an aggressive schedule. But the new Alaskan
team packs more than a century of combined hands-on yacht
design and boatbuilding experience. More: alaskanyachts.com QNO BARRIERS.
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