YYachts debuted the custom-designed Tripp 90, christened “Prevail”. It was showcased in Cannes alongside the Y7, an earlier design by the American-based company that helped YYachts establish its reputation.
After Prevail was launched by YYachts from its shipyard outside Greifswald in Germany, it underwent sea trials in the Baltic Sea.
Prevail’s owner has already spent quite a bit of time on the carbon-fibre performance cruiser in the Mediterranean. The 90-foot yacht has clocked 18 knots and should be able to get up to about 25 knots in peak condition.
Prevail is currently situated in Mallorca, Spain and will be heading to the Caribbean and the USA. Its designer, Bill Tripp is based in Connecticut.
“The owner has already spent a lot of time on the yacht in the Mediterranean and really enjoyed it. We advised that he enjoy the boat for a while, then we’ll spend a little time fine-tuning it for racing,” says Tripp. The owner’s 2022 plans include the Caribbean 600 in Antigua in February and potentially the Rolex Middle Sea Race around Sicily in October.
“It’s primarily a cruising boat built for bluewater sailing, but will do some racing. The owner may bring the boat back to Europe later next year and he also plans to cruise around the world. We’re just delighted he’s happy with the yacht.”
Michael Schmidt founded YYachts in 2015 to build fast luxury sailing yachts made of carbon, which is stiffer and lighter than fibreglass.
The shipyard is focused on streamlined designs with easy sailing and a clean minimalist deck. Its custom-made models start from the Y7, a 70-footer with interiors designed by Norm Architects, is its best-selling model with about a dozen units sold.
The Y8 follows it, and 80-footer designed by Lorenzo Agento with five sales, while next year’s new builds will include the first Y9, a semi-custom model sharing much of the naval architecture and exterior design of the Tripp 90 but with a wide range of interior layouts.
In September this year, YYachts debuted Prevail at Cannes where it was the second-largest yacht in the Sailing Area in Port Canto.
The Tripp 90 is YYacht’s flagship, measuring at 97 feet and a 22-foot beam. Tripp Design handled the naval architecture, exterior and layouts, while the owner chose UK-based Winch Design for the interior, with Prevail marking the third collaboration between the two design studios.
Prevail uses carbon for the hull, superstructure, mast, boom and sails, while the rig includes a self-tacking jib and hydraulically operated boom-rolled mainsail. Tripp says the hull shape is optimised to sail at 12 degrees, while the yacht also features a lifting keel, a challenging feature to integrate and disguise in the interior design.
Like all YYachts boats, the Tripp 90 is designed for short-handed sailing, with the 55-tonne yacht able to be handled by the three crew, all sailors. The flush deck features YYachts’ sustainable Lignia wood, an eco-friendly alternative to teak.
Situated well forward of the stern, each of the two steering wheels is backed by a full navigation station with controls, displays and throttle, while further in front are a pair of winches with power buttons at foot height. The sailing stations are flanked by thick coamings that also frame the roomy lounging area, comprising large C-shaped sofas and adjustable tables.
Aft of the coamings, two steps lead to the side decks that run past the distinctive coachroof to a massive flush foredeck, where there’s a wide well for the self-tacking jib just forward of the mast. The area has plenty of skylights for the cabins below, where there are flexible and portable sun lounges.
Both the aft and central cockpit areas can be covered by biminis and lead to the interior, which is quite the show-stopper. Winch Design worked closely with the owner to create a stylish, timeless ambience, with stylistic inspirations from the US east coast and mid-century Scandinavia.
As you descend the steps, the large windows around all four sides of the coachroof, which combine with the large ceiling skylights to provide the interior with plenty of natural light and expansive views.
The materials and details are above and beyond what you’d typically find on a typical sailing yacht. A rich yet tasteful combination of finely finished woodwork, beautifully stitched leathers, stainless-steel detailing and recessed lighting ensure your eyes continue to explore, whichever room you’re in. Look out for the use of bare carbon, which is a nod to the exterior.
Among woods, the owner selected a flamed Anigre, which was stained to contrast with the oak floor, while there are accent timbers such as Macassar and walnut, and feature panels in rosewood. The colour combination of these natural timbers and leathers alongside upholstery in whites, greys and blues works well.
Tripp himself commented: “When you go down below, you’re immediately hit with the smell of wood and leather. It’s a wonderful environment, a completely different world. You feel like you’re in a luxury hotel, a place you really want to stay in.”
The custom Prevail also has a unique layout. Having the engine room underneath the saloon has contributed to a split-level layout — not fore and aft, but port and starboard.
To port, the raised dining area has an extendable table and bench seating, where diners are almost at eye level with the coachroof windows and enjoy a clear view outside through the cockpit.
The lounge is down two steps to starboard and features a beautiful leather chair and an L-shaped sofa that can convert into a daybed. The sofa fits snugly under the long hull window, yet its inward view is of the back of the dining-table seating.
Prevail was not designed for repeat production and was custom-made for its owner, a keen musician who wanted a versatile layout for entertaining guests, while also enabling people to retreat from a party, resulting in the creation of separate relaxation areas.
Ahead of the saloon and down three steps is a semi-private office, which has a desk, a daybed, an amplifier and hanging space for the owner’s guitar.
To port is the twin en-suite guest cabin, which like all the guest areas, features top-end detailing such as stainless-steel door handles and leather-wrapped cupboard and drawer handles.
The master suite is forward and has a forward-facing double with bedside tables to port. To starboard is a vanity table and a couch — the third sofa along this side of the boat — while the elegantly finished twin-sink bathroom is in the bow.
Looking aft from the bedroom to the other hallway shows the long sightlines the designers sought to incorporate.
Aft of the saloon and down several steps leads starboard to the blue-and-white galley and port to the VIP double. In the stern is the crew quarters, which include a double cabin for the skipper and his wife, a single cabin, crew mess and access to the engine room.
All in all, it’s a remarkable yacht and a refreshingly personal one that succeeded due to impressive teamwork during a testing time for international collaborations.
“Prevail shows that everything is possible when selecting the right partners,” says Roes of Winch Design. “We’re very proud of what we achieved together with the Tripp and YYachts teams.”
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