aquijo yacht specs

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Built in 2016, this spectacular 85m yacht is the world’s largest high-performing k etch and marks Vitters Shipyard and Oceanco’s first cooperative effort.  

Designed by Tripp Design Naval Architecture, AQUIJO is a breathtaking sailing yacht that offers the ultimate comfort and space. The contemporary luxury interiors are the highest possible quality whilst also featuring 270-degree panoramic views. The lower deck includes 6 guest cabins, each with their very own ensuite bathroom. Also situated on the lower deck is the exquisite beach club which has a jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna.  

Her unique steering system provides guests with impeccable sailing experience. This is an astonishing yacht that is designed to take you on a sail of a lifetime.  

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Tax Status:  Charter taxes, where applicable, will be due according to the rules and regulations of the chosen cruising destination Contracts:  MYBA – All agreements to be drawn up using the current MYBA E-contract Charter Agreement – Revised 2017 version

2 x 8m semi rigid tenders   1 x 6m military spec fully inflatable tender for ice and beach landings   1 x Yamaha Waverunner Jetski (3-person)   2 x One man Hobie Quest 11 plastic kayaks   2 x inflatable 2 persons kayaks   2 x Airhead inflatable towing donuts   1 x Sports Stuff inflatable half-pipe (2-person)   2 x Wakeboards – Hyperlite : Tribute   2 x JOBE Allegre Water Ski   1 x JOBE Progress Water Ski   2 x Fanatic inflatable SUP   1 x Fanatic rigid SUP   2 x RS Aero sailing Dinghy’s   8 x Sets of dive gear   6 Fishing rods for towing and casting with all related equipment   Assorted inflatable toys for floating behind the yacht: Flamingo, swan, pizza slice, pineapple   Jacuzzi’s: 1 on Fly Bridge, 1 large Jacuzzi in Beach Club plus sauna and steam room

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Aquijo is a custom sailing yacht launched in 2016 by Vitters Shipyard, in the Netherlands.

Vitters Shipyard is a well established and respected custom yacht builder situated in Zwartsluis, The Netherlands. The facility opened in 1990 and has delivered an impressive list of yachts, working with top designers, up to 75 meter in length.

Aquijo measures 86 metres in length, with a max draft of 5.3 feet and a beam of 14.5 feet. She has a gross tonnage of 1,538 tonnes.

Aquijo has a steel hull with an aluminium superstructure.

Bill Tripp, III comes by yacht design naturally. His father Bill Tripp, Jr. was an illustrious naval architect and after spending his childhood sailing in his father’s designs, Bill chose to make naval architecture his career.

Her interior design is by Dölker Voges.

Aquijo also features naval architecture by Tripp Design Naval Architects.

Performance and Capabilities

Aquijo has a fuel capacity of 97,800 litres, and a water capacity of 26,000 litres.

Accommodation

Aquijo accommodates up to 16 guests in 7 cabins. She also houses room for up to 17 crew members.

Other Specifications

Aquijo has a hull NB of Y711.

She is also fitted with a jacuzzi (on deck).

• Naval Architect Tripp Design Naval Architects No profile available
• Exterior Designer Tripp Design Naval Architects No profile available
• Interior Designer Dölker Voges No profile available

Yacht Specs

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"Aquijo" : Floating superlative - the largest ketch in the world

Martin Hager

 ·  14.02.2023

With a length of 85 metres, "Aquijo" still occupies sixth place in the ranking of the world's largest yachts. But it will soon slip down a place when Jeff Bezos' superyacht "Koru", with its 127 metres, sets sail. But the German industrial magnate, for whom the steel-aluminium yacht was built by Oceanco and Vitters, need not fret. She still has plenty of superlatives. And she has already fulfilled her purpose, travelling far and wide, as can be seen in the videos at the end of the article.

World record: The superyacht has the largest sail area

The "Aquijo" carries a maximum of five sails (main, mizzen, genoa, staysail, code 1) on its two almost 90 metre high carbon masts, which together form an area of 5,872 square metres. World record! No yacht carries more sail laminate. All the sail systems, including the sheets, stays and winches, were elaborately calculated and designed for the superyacht in order to withstand the enormous loads acting on the enormous rig. "The genoa sheets carry 40 tonnes, and the captive winches had to be developed first," explains designer Bill Tripp on the aft deck. "The masts are hydraulically pressed onto the foundation plates with 350 tonnes, and 73 tonnes act on the backstays."

The technical challenge of building the voluminous two-master (1,538 gross tonnes) was so great that two highly specialised shipyards had to join forces in order to build the sailing-experienced owner his dream yacht. "There has never been such a forced co-operation in the superyacht industry," explains the first engineer Robert Vadas as he walks through the huge, elongated technical room. "All sailing yacht components were developed, manufactured and installed by the Dutch shipyard Vitters, while the construction of the hull, interior and all motor yacht components were realised in the large halls of Oceanco. During the construction phase, it was sometimes difficult to find the right contact person for some components, but the result is impressive."

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The superyacht's draught has a variance of 6.3 metres

Oceanco welded the hull of construction number Y711 from steel, while the superstructure of the three-decker was made from aluminium. A lifting keel provides the necessary stability under sail, allowing the draught to be reduced from a maximum of 11.60 metres to 5.30 metres.

"The owner had very clear ideas about his new yacht right from the start," says Bill Tripp. "He wanted a length of around 85 metres, two masts, plenty of space for his family and friends and, above all, a powerful rigging package that would allow him to sail quickly and safely."

At almost 90 metres, the masts are so high that it is not possible for the superyacht to navigate the Panama Canal, so "Aquijo" had to be designed to withstand the harsh climate and strong winds around Cape Horn without any problems. "In our worst-case calculations, we had to ensure that the hull could withstand the enormous forces of the rig and the 11.60 metre deep keel in the event of a knockdown," explains Bill Tripp.

The sail plan of the Gigaketsch differs significantly from the usual ketch configurations. "We refer to the yacht internally as a 'sketch', a mixture of schooner and ketch, as the two masts are almost the same height," says the designer. "We wanted to realise a sail plan that allows the sail area to be evenly distributed over the three main sails: genoa, main and mizzen." In order to reduce the mast height slightly while maintaining the same sail area, the designers fitted the main and mizzen sails of the superyacht with head sections that flared far aft. "With the fathead sails, we save ten metres of mast, which has a positive effect on the centre of gravity. The battens in the sail head also ensure that the sails reef very well."

As the fathead sails would get caught on the backstay when tacking and jibing, the masts are held by backstays that have to be operated for every manoeuvre. "With a yacht of this size, I rely on experienced sailors who know exactly what to do every time I change course," says South African captain Gerhard Veldsman. "Technically, I could also sail 'Aquijo' alone. But that would be like flying an Airbus A380 without a co-pilot."

Pods as thick as a forearm

The customised sheets and halyards with the diameter of a trained man's forearm are operated via twelve captive winches (basically like winches on an off-road vehicle), which are oil-pressure controlled and well concealed in the winch compartment. Further massive deck winches are also available for taming the gigantic 3Di sails from North Sails.

The superyacht proved that "Aquijo" can sail fast just a few weeks after its delivery in summer 2017: at wind speeds of 35 knots, the two-master was already travelling at 20.4 knots, with the Cape Ketch sailing at an average speed of 19 knots that day. "You feel super confident on board, even when the wind is blowing at more than eight knots, as it was that day," says Gerhard Veldsman.

The size of the superyacht also has its disadvantages. It takes time before "Aquijo" is ready to sail. "It takes eight minutes to set the main, mizzen and genoa," says the first engineer. "And we need about three minutes for the tacks, as we first have to furl the genoa a little so that it slides around the staysail stay."

The superyacht has the largest carbon fibre rudder blades in the world

To enable the owner and captain to steer as directly and sensitively as possible, the Vitters engineers realised a system that transmits the hydrodynamic forces on the world's largest carbon rudder blades directly to the steering wheels on the flybridge. This allows the helmsman to feel the rudder pressure in real time and react accordingly. "The system works really impressively. Thanks to the direct control, 'Aquijo' feels like a much smaller yacht at the helm," says Bill Tripp enthusiastically.

In contrast, anyone entering the aft deck of the 14.50 metre wide "Aquijo" immediately has the feeling of being on a sailing giant. An expansive dining table dominates the area, in front of which is a large bar that skilfully connects the aft deck with the saloon. Hamburg design studio Dölker + Voges, which worked closely with the owner's wife, was responsible for the interior styling of the superyacht. "The design is modern and elegant and yet, in our opinion, natural and refreshing," says designer Robert Voges. Mutenye, ash and teak wood predominate on the three decks, with stainless steel details setting the tone in almost every room.

A glass lift is part of it

The unusual number of decks for sailing yachts is based on the owner's desire to have a spacious private area above the main deck. "To prevent the yacht profile from appearing too massive, we placed the bridge on half a deck between the owner's deck and the main deck." A glass lift connects all levels. "I never thought I would design a sailing yacht with a lift," smiles Bill Tripp. "Incidentally, the entire yacht is barrier-free; a friend of the owner is in a wheelchair and will be a frequent guest on board."

Beach club, pool, sauna, whirlpool - this superyacht has it all

An owner's bedroom with a fantastic panoramic view towards the stern is one of the absolute highlights of the unusual layout, as is the large beach club and spa area on the lower deck. A skylight on the aft deck floods the wellness area below, including indoor pool, sauna, steam bath and lounge corner, with natural light. Those who prefer to lie in the fresh air and sun in the bubble bath can choose the whirlpool on the flybridge. From up here, you have the best view of the sails and, with the helm stations in front, there is always plenty of action.

Two gimbal-mounted dining tables allow for a cosy al-fresco lunch even when the boat is heeling at 20 degrees. If the view from the fly is not enough, you can climb into the mast cage at the front of the main mast and sail up to the penultimate spreader at a height of 75 metres. Overview and adrenaline rush guaranteed. The superyacht, which is approved by Lloyd's Register for a maximum of twelve guests and a crew of 17, has an interior volume of 1,538 gross tonnes that outdoes many a 70-metre motor yacht. And yet the owner was never interested in causing a stir with the size of his yacht.

Travelling the world in the greatest possible comfort under sail - that was the starting point for this incredible project. "An assignment that gave me a few grey hairs," laughs Bill Tripp. But the effort was worth it. With its enormous sail area totalling 5,872 square metres, the world's largest ketch will remain at the top of the list of sailing giants for a long time to come. Spectacular giants such as the 106 metre long Dyna rig project "Solar" or the 143 metre "A" may be even more voluminous - but these extreme designs will certainly not round Cape Horn. Because the following still applies: anyone who wants to round the notorious headland on the Chilean rocky island of Isla Hornos must be carved from special wood. Although: steel, aluminium and carbon fibre will certainly do the trick.

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"Aquijo" in Patagonia

Shooting under sail, most read in category yachts.

A look on board the extraordinary 86m Aquijo, the world’s largest ketch

• Helen Fretter
• February 25, 2017

The biggest ketch-rigged yacht on the water, Aquijo is designed to push boundaries and horizons. Helen Fretter talks to her designers

The largest Bermudan rigged ketch ever launched, the 86m  Aquijo was designed by Bill Tripp and launched last year.

The build came about through a new collaboration between the two Dutch yards of Vitters and OceanCo, combining the former’s superyacht expertise with the latter’s custom motoryacht knowledge to create one of the largest sailing yachts in the world (see video of Sailing Yacht A, the world’s largest sail-assisted vessel, during early sea trials) .

The scale of Aquijo is remarkable: at 85m her LOA is considerably greater than the 60m superyacht designs Vitters is more accustomed to working on, hence she was built at OceanCo’s larger seafront site in Alblasserdam, the Netherlands. A steel hull and aluminium superstructure give a gross tonnage of 1,500.

Her twin carbon fibre masts reach 91m above the waterline, with matched main and mizzen. North 3Di sails of over 1,100 square metres each, give a total sail area of 3,247 square metres. Add in a code sail, and the canvas area tops 5,050 square metres. According to Vitters, Aquijo ’s lifting keel is the largest ever designed, at 220 tons (200 tonnes) of lead, with a minimum draught of 5.2m and maximum of 11.6m.

The yacht’s range under engine at 13 knots is 3,200 nautical miles and she has accommodation for 30 in total (12 guests, two owners, a captain, three officers and 12 additional crew).

However, her designer Bill Tripp says that it was sailing performance that drove the design. “We designed Aquijo around sailing loads and sheet loads, to keep them in a range that was controlled. She started design life as a sailboat that encompassed the machinery of a motoryacht, but she is not shaped as a motoryacht – she is easily driven.”

He adds: “Aquijo is also a sophisticated machine and brings most aspects of a 1600GT motoryacht with her. But she is for getting out there, and for going sailing. In Greece [last] summer, she would go out for an afternoon of sailing in a 35 knot Meltemi because it is so much fun to sail at 20 knots as if on rails.”

The new ChessieRacing designed by Bill Tripp is a true designer daysailer, but what is she like to sail?

Sail controls

Aquijo is designed for long distance bluewater exploration, hence limiting the air draught to fit through the Panama Canal (46m) was no longer a consideration. That freed up the design team to create one of the largest true sailing yachts ever conceived.

To make raising the enormous sail area possible, sophisticated reefing and sail handling systems have been developed. In-boom furling system allows the main and mizzen sails to be furled or unfurled in just four seconds. Custom built carbon and aluminium 40-ton winches control the sheets and halyards.

“When we go head to wind we hoist the main and the mizzen together, and I’d say on average that’s a six minute process,” says Tripp. “Then once they’re up you just bear off, and roll out the jib – 30 seconds say. And then you’re off, you have three sails up, and you’re only thinking about those three sails. It means going sailing is pretty easy.”

When sailing at this scale, manoeuvres take a degree of forward planning. “Because we have a staysail, and a heavy weather jib, we have to furl the big jib when tacking,” explains Tripp.

“Vitters organised a system that keeps just a nice amount of tension on the jib sheets furling in and out so that they are not flailing about. It’s not a dinghy tack, but it is safe and orderly. The spinnaker is on a fast furler and furls up in 30 seconds, making gybes less complex.”

Designed to function at up to 20° of heel, Aquijo ’s hull has been tested to withstand the full force of rigging and keel, including mast compression and the effects of her 200-tonne keel, in a knock-down situation. Vitters custom designed a steering system to give direct feedback of the hydrodynamic pressure on the rudders to the twin wheels to create the elusive sailing ‘feel’. There are two submarine anchors in a compartment concealed behind a flush hull closing plate.

Consistency of style

The owner’s cabin is situated on its own top deck, with a private outside area. Robert Voges, of Dølker and Voges, which designed the interior, says that the whole upper deck abaft of the wheelhouse is the owner’s area.

The sociable main deck includes the dining room and main saloon, linked to the outside deck by an inside-outside bar. The yacht’s real showcase feature is the ‘beach club’ on the lower deck, which includes a jacuzzi, sauna, hammam/Turkish bath, rainfall shower, and room for gym equipment, with an open walkway through to the transom swim platform. There is a further whirlpool spa bath on the outer deck.

A consistent aesthetic style has been adopted right throughout the yacht, according to Voges, who comments: “The brief from the owner was the whole area should look, if not the same, but be one language. All the details are the same, even in the crew area.”

Materials are luxurious; as the mast runs through two interior decks it is clad in flawless high shine stainless steel complete with integrated LED lighting – the single biggest technical challenge of the interior build according to Voges.

But it is the sea itself that provides the main focal point. Voges comments: “One of the most important things that the owners asked me for was to make everything feel open, to feel that there is not a difference between inside and outside, so you can feel the ocean.

From each position where you are sitting – dining or in the salon, or in the cabins – you can always see the water. We have planned the windows so even from the bed, you can see the water.”

Ambitious plans

Aquijo is available for charter, but the owner also has some ambitious voyages of his own in mind, not least a trip around Cape Horn.

Asked what inspires people to build a yacht of Aquijo ’s stature, designer Bill Tripp comments: “They’re not looking for the sure thing, they’re really looking for the unknown. They don’t know what it’ll be like sailing in South Georgia, or diving on a reef with hammerhead sharks at night. These are experiences they will remember all their life.

“On a boat like Aquijo it’s the use of it, and the feeling you get. It’s not about fine wines or great speaker systems, it’s about bringing you to things you wouldn’t otherwise experience.”

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Boat of the Week: The World’s Largest Sailing Ketch Doubles as a Luxury Home on the Water

The 283-foot vessel just happened to set a record for its size. the owner was more interested in seeing the world from a bespoke lap of luxury., julia zaltzman, julia zaltzman's most recent stories.

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The 282-foot Aquijo might be the largest high-performance sailing ketch in the world, but that wasn’t the primary goal of its design. The owner’s intention was to build a fast world cruiser that could sail to the ends of the earth, but just as importantly, have huge amounts of interior space that would make the sailing superyacht feel like home anywhere.

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Aquijo is a boat built for escapism. “The owner wanted to go and see the world on his yacht,” Gerhard Veldsman, her captain, told Robb Report.   “We’ve been around the world once already, and returned to Holland in early 2020 to complete the boat’s five-year survey. After Covid hit, everything changed.”

The plan had been to make a refit pit stop in the Netherlands before heading through the Northwest Passage to the Pacific, and then embarking on a second world circumnavigation. That voyage has been postponed until travel restrictions ease, or at least until a time when fragile countries are less vulnerable to the pandemic. “I doubt the vaccine will be available in the small island nations as quickly as everywhere else” says Veldsman. “So we’re just sitting tight.”

The owner wanted the same amount of interior space in his sailing yacht as similar-sized motoryachts.  Courtesy Edmiston

Built in 2016, Aquijo was an unusually complex sailing yacht, a collaboration between Oceanco and Vitters. Her owner is a seasoned sailor who first chartered every large, iconic sailing vessel out there, from the 289-foot Maltese Falcon and Enigma (when named Phocea ) to Mirabella V, before embarking on a design and build of his own yacht.

“His aim was to take the best design pieces out of each of those yachts to construct Aquijo ,” says Veldsman. “That included matching Maltese Falcon in size, but adopting a large bar on the aft deck with a beer tap.”

There’s no denying that Aquijo is a beast. She has 64,500-square-feet of sails. At full pelt, she reaches speeds in excess of 20 knots which, for a 1,600 gross-ton yacht, is an impressive sight to behold. “When you have a boat of Aquijo ’s size and weight traveling fast through water, you need a team of people who understand not only the principles of sailing but also what happens below deck in terms of the hydraulics.”

Courtesy Edmiston

Features like the indoor spa pool beneath the opening skylight are one of many features that make Aquijo a liveaboard yacht.

Aquijo has a significant amount of complex hydraulic power. Vitters’s knowledge in building large custom sailing boats was a primary reason for the owner selecting that shipyard in Zwartsluis, Holland. But at 282-feet, the boat was too big for Vitters to construct at its facilities. So, Vitters built the sailing systems, and Oceanco was chosen to build the hull and superstructure.

Exterior design was by Bill Tripp, with the contemporary interior by Dölker+Voges Design. Together with the owner, the designers conceived a sailing vessel matching a comparable-sized motoryacht for interior space. “Balancing the abilities of a lightweight, high-performance sailing yacht with all the space and luxury of a motoryacht is why Aquijo is the size that she is,” says Veldsman. “We had to go big to accomplish that.”

Aquijo pairs an efficient cruising hull with lots of weight in her lifting keel, the largest of its kind ever designed. With the keel down, the draft is an impressive 38 feet. “We once cruised up the Sicilian coast in 40 knots of wind, and all the motoryachts were turning around but we were able to sail through it,” says Veldsman.

The owner took different designs from other super sailing yachts for Aquijo and added features like the bar and al-fresco dining table.  Courtesy Edmiston

Notable design features include neon headboards, extensive deck space and a private owner’s terrace that takes you from bed to balcony in two steps. The 197-foot-high crow’s nest offers the best views on board. The beach club, with Jacuzzi below a main deck skylight, is one of the owner’s favorite spaces on board, particularly in colder climates. The boat’s 300-foot masts are too tall to travel through any canals, which means navigating the Polar regions to get to different continents. Vast, remote waters like those off the coast of Patagonia, where wind speeds can reach 70-plus knots, is where Aquijo comes into her own.

This summer, Aquijo is cruising around the Mediterranean, with charters in Turkey already confirmed through Edmiston, before heading to the Caribbean for winter.

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If you have any questions about the AQUIJO information page below please contact us .

The breath-taking 86-metre sailing yacht AQUIJO (Hull Y711/Hull 3069, Project 85) by Oceanco and Vitters is a massive all-aluminium ketch-rigged vessel, with the launch in 2015. The hull of mega yacht AQUIJO was built by Zwijnenburg, while her superstructure is by Aluship.The luxurious 86-metre Oceanco and Vitters superyacht AQUIJO boasts both naval architectures as well as exterior design by Bill Tripp. She bears beautiful interior design by Dolker & Voges. Accommodation onboard is offered for up to 12 guests in 7 lavish cabins.

NOTABLE FEATURES: ~ Seaworthy & powerful performance sailing yacht ~ Whirpool tub on the sundeck ~ Spa centre with Jacuzzi, sauna & steam room ~ Sophisticated & modern interior styling ~ Swim platform ~ State-of-the-art technology

The superb living spaces are spread across the flybridge deck, owner's deck, main deck, and the beach club deck. This luxury sailing yacht features consistency in style with an "au naturel" spirit and closer-to-the-sea cruising experience, which creates airy and light ambience. The modern interiors feature a light wood-tone tone, with remarkable stainless steel details and colourful upholstery.

Aft of the flybridge is a large Jacuzzi with dining area, as well as a lounge with plush sofas. There is also a seating area next to the helm station to enjoy the view and to be closer to the action.

The owner's deck boasts the owner's stateroom with private access to the dining area, bar and lounges aft. The wide staircase from there leads directly to the main deck.

AQUIJO Specifications

The guests can sip on a glass of wine or enjoy some high-quality tap beer at the bar on the main deck. There is a retractable TV for those who love watching sports games or simply favourite TV shows or movies. There is a retractable roof in the dining area for 20 guests, which makes family dinners and social gatherings more special. Vast seating area wraps a couple of small tables, perfect for a bbq light snacks during the day.

Lower of the main deck is the Spa centre with a Jacuzzi of a considerable size centre of the deck. Another lounge area onboard is located starboard and sauna, and steam room is on the port side. The swim platform provides easy access to the water, as well as a fabulous sunbathing space. The striking three-deck mega yacht AQUIJO can comfortably sleep 12 guests. Luxury yacht AQUIJO (Hull Y711/Hull 3069, Project 85) by Oceanco and Vitters is a breath-taking performing and comfortable cruising vessel, suitable for long-range world-wide cruising and with long-time independence from shore.

Yacht Accommodation

Modern and stylish accommodation aboard AQUIJO superyacht is offered to 12 guests.

Amenities and Extras

We do have available further amenity, owner and price information for the 86.00m (282' 2") yacht AQUIJO, so please enquire for more information.

AQUIJO Disclaimer:

The luxury yacht AQUIJO displayed on this page is merely informational and she is not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she represented or marketed in anyway by CharterWorld. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and informations are displayed in good faith but CharterWorld does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

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"A shipyard sells a yacht and after the warranty period has concluded, often the client and yacht are forgotten. If you look at Oceanco, we see the client as a client for a lifetime. We take care of all of them, even if he has a 25 year old Oceanco." - Dr Mohammed Al Barwani, Oceanco Chairman, a world-class builder of custom superyachts in the 80–140 meters range: "We pride ourselves in integrating fine old world dutch craftmanship with sophisticated new world know-how and TOMORROW’S TECHNOLOGY. To our craftsmen, PERFECTION is a point of principle. We encourage a philosophy whereby each individual feels personally responsible for the quality of the entire yacht."

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Aquijo: Inside the three-year circumnavigation of the world's largest ketch

Taking perilous winds in her stride, 86 metre Aquijo has just completed a mesmerising circumnavigation. Captain Gerhard Veldsman tells Georgia Boscawen about their awe-inspiring encounters

“When a glacier cracks and an apartment-sized block of ice falls to the water, it sounds like a gunshot,” recalls captain Gerhard Veldsman of Aquijo . Few things in life could compare to a spectacle as thrilling as a lone 86 metre sailing yacht anchored at the face of a gargantuan glacier in the Chilean fjords. However, for Veldsman, his crew and the owners of Aquijo , this is just one of a long list of awe-inspiring encounters they had during their circumnavigation of the globe. Setting off in the Med, they headed to Cape Verde, then down to Patagonia and across to Oceania in a voyage that spanned more than three years.

At 86 metres, Aquijo is the largest ketch in the world – a thoroughbred, and the fruit of not one, but two Dutch powerhouses: Vitters and later Oceanco , which joined forces to complete this unique sailing yacht.

In 2010, Bill Tripp of Tripp Design Naval Architecture penned the lines for a yacht capable of both global cruising and racing. This proposition drew the two shipyards together. Vitters brought high-performance sailing yacht pedigree, and Oceanco brought its prowess in the 80-metre superyacht sphere.

Aquijo ’s design is influenced by the need for flexibility. The sailplan is subdivided with each sail producing similar forces, while keeping the number of sails and system parts to a minimum. The result is hasty sail setting, easy tacking and a vessel that is unequivocally fast.

“She responds very quickly,” says Veldsman. “For such a big boat she sails incredibly well. You can turn the rigs like you would on a raceboat – I think a lot of people find it surprising how fast she sails for such a big boat.”

This design also means she is more than capable of handling conditions when things get rough, which, as Veldsman points out, they certainly did on several occasions. The first leg of the tour – cruising to Cape Verde and over to Punta del Este, Uruguay, before heading to Patagonia – was already remarkable, but it was when the yacht reached Ushuaia, in Argentina, that the owners came on board for an extremely windy bucket list moment.

“We picked up the owners for a four-week trip that would see us round Cape Horn,” recalls Veldsman as he brings up charts of this once-in-a-lifetime expedition. “Of course, it was windy, and we anchored in a spot called the False Horn – a protected area often mistaken for Cape Horn – and I remember saying to myself, ‘If the wind is blowing more than 45 knots in the morning, I’m going to call it.’”

Veldsman awoke to find the wind blowing far over 50 knots in the protected anchorage – a moment that could have seen a sheepish retreat to base. “We poked our heads out from False Horn, and we had wind speeds of 60 knots.” Determined, Veldsman proceeded anyway,  and sailed Aquijo around the perilous cape in violent conditions.

“Travelling upwind on the starboard side, that was the worst part, and we had ski goggles on, rain and sleet coming at us, and the whole family outside – it was amazing,” he adds.

From here, Aquijo sailed to Patagonia, cruising through a place informally referred to as Glacier Alley and up to Puerto Montt in Chile – a leg that reinforced the need for meticulous planning in blissful isolation. “That southern part is very remote and it’s quite a distance. There’s nowhere to buy food, no civilization at all – it was incredible,” says Veldsman. “The boat was built for this purpose. So, it’s quite well set up to be able to cope with cold weather, and we carry enough food, fuel and water to deal with just about anything.”

In this part of the world, the weather can change in an instant, from no wind to 60-knot winds at a moment’s notice. Veldsman explains that the ice here also flows down at speed in the middle of the night and you can wake up to find the yacht entrenched in it.

For Veldsman, Patagonia was the highlight of the whole tour. Aquijo even took a couple of charters while in the region, before relocating to South America and cruising around Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and over to the Galápagos with a stop at the secluded Cocos Island.

Aquijo then sailed back down to the Southern Pacific and French Polynesia, but this wasn’t a case of passing through. During the tour, Aquijo hosted local guides, scientists, expert divers and often worked with EYOS to source the very best people for each adventure. “It was all very action-packed – there was an excursion every day, with a guide, too,” explains Veldsman.  “It’s important to get the right guides when you go to these places as you’re only going to do it once. It was incredible.”

Unfortunately, one of the activities in the tropics almost had sinister consequences. “We had fantastic diving along the way and across to Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu,” says Veldsman. “Although our boss got an infection over there that almost killed him. It’s quite common in the Tropics as small cuts and bruises can get infected very quickly.”

Veldsman recalls Papua New Guinea as another defining moment on the trip, on a par with Patagonia. Aquijo headed there after a short maintenance period in New Zealand. “Papua New Guinea is very remote, but the nature and the tribes are beautiful. We had a local guide with us who took us deep into the jungle and we even saw the Baining Fire Dance,” he recalls. This is a traditional night-time ceremony, celebrating many of the tribe’s life-changing events, such as initiating young men into adulthood. Tribesmen partake in passionate dance-based rituals.

“We will go back there and see the tribes of the Pacific river,” vows Veldsman. “These tribes won’t exist 20 years from now. You can see the crocodile men, who scar themselves to look like crocodiles, with bones through their noses, living in the jungle. It’s incredible – I look back and just think, wow!”

While the yacht was in Papua New Guinea’s New Ireland Province, another medical incident struck when one of the stewardesses fell victim to decompression sickness. “I needed to get her to the closest decompression chamber and our options were Port Moresby [Papua New Guinea’s capital], which is one of the world’s most dangerous cities, or Australia [almost  900 nautical miles away].” The stewardess ended up flying to Australia, where she made a full recovery.

Diving was an integral part of the tour and those on board were able to swim with whales and sharks, as well as taking in incredible coral reefs. “A lot of what happens in the Southern Pacific is in and under the water,” says Veldsman. “We used a well-known local diver, Rodolphe Holler from Tahiti Private Expeditions. When you’re in the water, the whales breach so close to you that you can touch them.”

As we talk, Aquijo is in Palma, almost 9,000 nautical miles from the whales that make their annual migration through the balmy waters of French Polynesia. However, plans are already afoot for her to embark on another global migration through the Northwest Passage, back to the Pacific and over to Japan. With adventure-seeking owners and Veldsman at the helm, there is no doubt that the largest ketch in the world will handle whatever is thrown at her.

First published in the September 2022 Life Under Sail supplement. Get this magazine sent straight to your door, or subscribe and never miss an issue.

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Oceanco 2016

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Sophistication. Volume. Pedigree.

Built by Vitters and Oceanco, 86m sailing yacht Aquijo redefines the top-end sailing experience. With vast interior volumes, an Aquijo yacht charter offers the space and amenities normally only seen on motor yachts. These include a guest elevator, interior and exterior dining for up to 24, three outdoor bars and a stunning beach club with steam room, sauna and ocean view Jacuzzi. A mast of 90 metres and an impressive sail plan ensure spectacular sailing and 7 adaptable cabins provide ultimate accommodation flexibility for up to 12 guests. Combining the vision of an experienced yacht Owner with the finest Dutch craftsmanship, Aquijo sets new standards in sailing and sophistication.

Not for sale or charter to U.S. residents while in U.S. waters

CHARTER LOCATION

Summer: South Pacific & Australasia

Standout Features

This is Aquijo

Unparalleled space

More space that other sailing yachts, with impressive ceiling heights.

Easy access between decks.

Private Terrace

Extends from the Principal cabin.

Adaptable Layout

A flexible seven-cabin layout offers numerous possibilities for any group.

Outdoor Bars

With a bar on three of her four decks Aquijo is set up to entertain.

Spectacular Flybridge

Spacious with large sofas, Jacuzzi, sunpads and gimballed tables.

Dutch Pedigree

Built by Vitters and Oceanco, Aquijo boasts exceptional pedigree from two top Dutch shipyards.

Unusual for a sailing yacht, the beach club offers a spawith steam room, sauna, hot tub and lounge.

Main deck's 24-seater dining table, BBQ, and bar create the ultimate social space..

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Aquijo Through the Lens

Sailing but not as you know it

Superlative Spaces

On the flybridge, which is impressively spacious, there are large sofas, a Jacuzzi, sunpads and gimballed tables (so your drinks stay put). It’s a superlative space to relax or take in the sailing action.

Entertainment Guaranteed

With a bar on three of her four decks, there’s every opportunity for seamless service at all times. Try the main deck, where there’s a 12-seater bar with a retractable television, multi-coloured lighting and beer on tap.

Dine Under the Stars

When it comes to dining, there’s nowhere better than the 24 person dining table on the main deck aft, situated under a retractable skylight.

Accommodation

Total Escapism

Aquijo offers total disconnection and complete freedom. Her seven adaptable cabins, with no TVs or Audio systems, offer numerous layout possibilities for different groups. The peace and escapism is unrivalled.

Cabin Arrangement

Principal Cabin

The bridge-deck master suite features his and hers ensuites and a private terrace with gimballed dining table.

Convertible Cabins

Two cabins each with ensuite and lounge that split into two separate cabins if needed.

Guest Cabins

Two additional guest cabins; one is wheelchair accessible.

Make a Splash

What's in the Toybox

2 x 8m Tenders 1 x 6m Tenders 11 Plastic kayaks Jetski One-man Hobie Quest Fanatic inflatable SUP Fanatic rigid SUP Wakeboards RS Aero sailing dinghies Sets of dive gear Fishing rods Assorted inflatable toys

Please note that the tenders and toys on board the yachts are regularly updated. Please contact Y.CO for the most up to date list.

Charter Aquijo in South America

Adventures In Nature

Bahia Herradura to Puerto Jimenez. Cruise from Costa Rica to Panama. Live la Pura Vida. Raft on the Pacuare River. Fly over vibrant green landscapes.

A Chain of Offshore Jewels

Cucumber Beach Marina to Belize City. A twelve day exploration of Belize's uninhabited islands and atolls by superyacht.

A Peaceful Green Jewel

Playa Herradura to Marina Papagayo. Discover Costa Rica, an adventurer’s dream. A peaceful idyll. Wildlife wherever you turn.

Untouched Wilderness

Las Catalinas to Puerto Jimenez. Experience the endless possibilities that a yacht charter on Costa Rica’s coastline has to offer.

Charter Aquijo in the South Pacific and Australasia

Pearl of the Pacific

Port Denarau to Port Denarau. Take a step back from the hustle and bustle of city life and escape to the Mamanuca and Yasawa Islands; white sandy beaches, blue lagoons and luxurious resorts.

Natural Paradise

Whangaroa to Auckland. Epic landscapes. Green islands. Mirror calm turquoise waters. New Zealand is the ultimate playground of the Pacific.

Uninterrupted Island Bliss

Samarai to Alotau. Venture off the grid and cruise through the Milne Bay Region of Papua New Guinea.

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AQUIJO Yacht Layout & GA Plans

86m  /  282'2   oceanco   2016.

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