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Nyumba: Southern Wind Launches First Hybrid Sailing Yacht
South African shipyard, Southern Wind, has launched its fourth unit from the SW96 series – SY NYUMBA, which becomes the first hybrid sailing yacht in the Southern Wind fleet.
Southern Wind specialises in the build of high-performance, custom sailing yachts ranging between 25 and 40 metres in length, championing blue water reliability with a comfortable cruising experience.
NYUMBA was commissioned by a young owner who is a passionate sailor, and is their third sailing yacht. The owner’s vision was to have a high-performance, efficient cruising yacht to sail shorthanded around the world, while also competing in top superyacht regattas.
The client chose the 96-foot option from Southern Wind’s ‘smart custom’ range, and encouraged the yard to optimise the model for “a sexy, comfortable, reliable, and above all, sustainable yacht.”
NYUMBA is the shipyard’s first yacht to be fitted with an electric-hybrid propulsion system, developed in collaboration with BAE Systems. The patented HybridGen system is engineered to be compliant with the world’s most stringent environmental rules, with zero emissions capability and a HydroGeneration mode to recharge the Lithium-ion energy storage when under sail.
A sleek and elegant exterior profile has been penned by Massimo Gino of Nauta Design, who also lent his expertise t the yacht’s comfortable and cosy interiors. “Nyumba’s deck design is the evolution of the successful GT deck concept,” explains Gino. “Clear, uncluttered deck equipment positioning allows for easy circulation on board and the mainsail track and steering positions are completely new.
“The GT styling makes everything look breath-taking in its simplicity and lightness.”
"The GT styling makes everything look breath-taking in its simplicity and lightness."
"The GT styling makes everything look breath-taking in its simplicity and lightness."
Massimo Gino, Nauta Design