QILAK IS FOR SALE AT: OC BROKERAGE SERVICES
CONTACT: BROKERAGE@OWENCLARKEDESIGN.COM
The Owen Clarke custom designed 66’ sailing expedition yacht Qilak was launched in September 2018 at K M aluminium Yacht-Builders yard in Makkum, Holland. Purposeful, 'half yacht and half working boat', aptly described as a Land Rover Defender on the outside and a Range Rover on the inside. Qilak has been built for commercial charter, expeditions for scientists, as well as an explorer yacht for private use. She represents an exciting addition to our portfolio, building on our background of designing as well as sailing performant and reliable offshore racing yachts for short-handed sailors. Photo by KM Yachtbuilders/Arthur Smeets  The project’s goal was a sailboat capable of being sailed by a crew of three, working in the Arctic Summer and then transiting 'Ice to Ice' to Antarctica for the southern Summer polar season. Refits will be undertaken between seasons and this requires the yacht to also be a fast, reliable blue water passage maker. Qilak is capable of transiting the North-West Passage, over-wintering in high latitudes and is able to enter shallow bays/harbours with her lifting keel. This same keel arrangement and twin rudders will also help to lay up safely in boatyards in remote parts of the world. Photo by KM Yachtbuilders/Arthur Smeets  The design is distinctly functional; particularly the pilot house which has twin watchkeeping positions with a view forward through reverse angled windows, a feature in pilot boats and lifeboats the world over. The bow area is dominated by two 70kg anchors, each with a holding power capable of grounding the yacht in excess of 60kts of wind. The triple spreader rig is designed to minimize windage when anchoring in high latitudes. The genoa and staysail are both on halyard locks, can be furled, then lowered down to the deck leaving only the working jib on the second stay (seen here) furled and aloft. Photo by KM Yachtbuilders/Arthur Smeets  Access to the pilot house is through an exterior cuddy/covered space, then a watertight door to the two watchkeeping/working positions port and starboard. Moving forward at the same level there is a demountable table/seating system that allows this area to be used for work/dining at sea or as a cleared space when the yacht is a base for shore-going activities. Accessed through another watertight door down into the hull there is accommodation for the crew of three, plus a workshop space/cabin available for a fourth crew/guide/ice pilot. Photo by KM Yachtbuilders/Arthur Smeets  Guest accommodation consists of two double berth (convertible to twin) and two twin berth cabins, each with plentiful storage, a computer desk and sink beneath. Aft, a large main saloon capable of seating twelve for meals is also used for briefings and reviewing the days' photographs and video on a large flat screen. The interior is best described as comfortable, as opposed to luxury and includes extensive use of eco-sustainable bamboo to create a modern minimalist feel. Qilak has two showers and two heads in separate compartments and is surely one of the few yachts of this size with a sauna and a urinal. Photo by KM Yachtbuilders/Arthur Smeets  Water, fuel storage, heating and power generation can be a matter of survival not just comfort when over-wintering and so a good deal of thought and design work has gone into these areas. The main engine and generators do not rely on a raw sea water supply that can be blocked by ice, but are instead cooled using an internal Glycol filled heat exchanger. The diesel tanks are built into the structure of the yacht and separated from the outside skin both to keep the diesel warmer (more efficient) as well as to ‘future proof’ the vessel against impending legislation that is proposed for polar area operation. Photo by KM Yachtbuilders/Arthur Smeets  To discuss your own particular cruising requirements contact: OC CRUISING Internal and external videos available on YouTube at the OWEN CLARKE CHANNEL For an explanation of the technology behind the design process go to: NAVAL ARCHITECTURE For an insight into our engineering and detailed design work go to: ENGINEERING |
