48 Metres. The Next Chapter in Carbon-Fibre Sportfishing
An impressive 48-metre carbon-fibre mega sportfisher is under construction at Yachting Developments in Auckland, New Zealand. Designed by Warwick Yacht Design, Project YD1027 is the yard’s fifth large sportfisher project, combining dedicated offshore fishing and diving facilities with the comfort and finish of a custom superyacht.
Project YD1027 — 48-metre carbon-fibre mega sportfisher, designed by Warwick Yacht Design and currently under construction at Yachting Developments in New Zealand. Credit: Warwick Yacht Design
Project YD1027 brings together the purpose-built capabilities of a serious offshore fishing and diving vessel with the scale, sophistication and finish of a custom superyacht.
At 48 metres, the yacht represents another step forward for Yachting Developments, building on a series of custom builds that have steadily increased in scale and complexity.
A niche that grew
Yachting Developments’ involvement in the sportfisher market began 17 years ago with the 27.5-metre Satu. It opened the door to a distinct area of yacht building that has since become an important focus for the company.
Lanakai, the 39.5-metre carbon-fibre sportfisher, demonstrated the outstanding advantages of carbon-fibre construction for a yacht of this type and scale. Sportfisher projects YD1017 and YD1024 followed, adding to the yard’s experience in this segment of the market.
Lanakai and YD1017 at Great Barrier Island, New Zealand, during the commissioning of YD1017. Both yachts form part of Yachting Developments' growing portfolio of large custom sportfishers. Credit: Yachting Developments
“It’s exciting to see the next chapter of our sportfisher portfolio taking shape,” says Yachting Developments. “At 48 metres, Project YD1027 draws on the experience gained through our previous builds and the skills and experience available here in New Zealand.”
Built to Explore. Above and Below
Project YD1027 has been conceived around the demands of serious sportfishing and diving on a superyacht scale.
For fishing, the yacht features hydraulically operated outriggers, live-bait tanks and a walk-in catch freezer, providing the dedicated facilities required for extended time on the fishing grounds.
Diving has been given equal consideration, with Diver lift platforms, a dedicated dive equipment room and Nitrox capability supporting extended time beneath the surface.
“Project YD1027 has been developed for serious fishing and diving, while offering the comfort and finish expected of a custom superyacht,” says Yachting Developments. “Bringing those requirements together takes a great deal of coordination and commitment from everyone involved.”
Propulsion comes from twin MTU 16V4000M93L engines, each rated at 4,651 horsepower, delivering an effortless cruising speed of more than 20 knots. With a fuel range exceeding 3,000 nautical miles, Project YD1027 is designed for extensive world cruising, with the range and onboard facilities to support extended time away.
Twin MTU 16V4000M93L engines being installed aboard Project YD1027 during construction at Yachting Developments. Each engine is rated at 4,651 horsepower. Credit: Matt Crawford / Yachting Developments
Built in New Zealand
The yacht’s construction brings together a broad range of trades and disciplines, from carbon-fibre boatbuilding and engineering through to systems integration, craftsmanship and finishing.
Working collaboratively from Yachting Developments’ Auckland facility, these teams contribute their knowledge and skills to a highly customised yacht of this scale.
For a yard with more than 35 years of custom yacht-building experience, having delivered more than 70 individual projects, Project YD1027 represents another step in an impressive portfolio that includes sailing superyachts, motor yachts and sportfishers.
With multiple custom projects progressing through the facility, Yachting Developments continues to look ahead to future builds, bringing together the people, facilities and technical expertise needed to deliver ambitious projects in both power and sail.
Among these projects, YD1027 represents an important new chapter in the yard's sportfisher portfolio.
From Satu to Lanakai, and now Project YD1027, Yachting Developments’ involvement in the sportfisher market has grown considerably. At 48 metres, this latest project capitalises on that experience and represents another chapter in the yard’s custom yacht-building history.