Servo Yachts and UK-based Shuttleworth Design have come together to produce an innovative catamaran design that deals with yacht stability, by eliminating pitch, roll and heave, as well as creating less drag through swell. This design has developed over 8 years and during this time several mechanical designs have been trialled and tested but they believe they have found the ultimate way to eliminate pitching and vertical acceleration which is the main cause of sickness at sea.
The suspension system adjusts to feedback received in real-time based on a computer-automated electro-mechanical system. As an active technology it is faster than passive marine stabilisation devices that take more time to react to the motion of waves. The system requires very little power and no warm-up time or vacuum systems as with gyroscopic stabilisers.
The Martini 6.0 is a fast, 45 metre catamaran with an electro-pneumatic suspension system connecting the superstructure to two dynamic hulls that can adjust over 3.5 metres to the height and angle of the waves.
“The result is a vessel that can move at speed through an ocean swell with virtually no motion in the suspended deck where the crew and guests are located,” says Orion Shuttleworth, Managing Director of Shuttleworth Design.
Constructed of lightweight carbon fibre and foam cores, the Martini 7.0 is he larger version of the concept at 50 metres. The superstructure has been widened to maximise the interior volume and cover the full beam of the two hulls. The suspension technology on this model still provides over 3.5 metres of vertical travel in each hull, resulting in minimal motion for both guests and crew.
At nearly 430 square-metres, the upper deck is home to the main social and entertaining area. Sliding doors lead forward to a spa pool surrounded by sun pads on either side and al fresco dining on the open aft deck.
The master suite occupies the entire forward section of the main deck and is complete with a private office, gym and spectacular views through a large wraparound window. Moving aft there are four ensuite guest cabins, two of which overlook 195 square-metres aft deck with pool.
The lower deck comprises the crew accommodation, galley, stores, workshop, dive store and a garage with space for an array of water toys and a 6.5-metre tender. When the suspended deck is lowered the garage becomes a wet dock for tender operations without cranes or winches. The bathing platform can be lowered into the water for easy access to the sea when scuba diving or swimming.
