Gulf Craft, the Middle East’s most prestigious superyacht yard, is pushing the limits again – building its first commercial yacht over 500GT constructed from GRP and compliant to LY3 code. Gulf Craft’s latest project, which is currently titled the Majesty 175, follows the CJR-equipped Majesty 155, which was completed in 2016 and recently won the coveted CEDIA Award for Best Yacht Installation.
First announced at the Monaco Yacht Show, the new 54.37 metre Majesty 175 will be a truly unique vessel, with early statements highlighting interiors by respected Italian designer, Cristiano Gatto, and including substantial lounging and entertainment areas, and even a beach club.
The Majesty 175 is being built on speculation and is part of the UAE yard’s ongoing effort to push the boundaries of what its experienced team can create, driven by strong demand from its existing international client base and burgeoning reputation for yachts of the highest quality. Gulf Craft has already announced its intentions to go even bigger, with renders available for the Majesty 200, a 63-metre tri-deck superyacht that promises to be filled with technology, including a retractable helipad.
CJR has a well-established relationship with Gulf Craft, having already partnered on a number of the yard’s biggest projects. With the Majesty 175, the two brands aim to expand on the relationship even further, with CJR being chosen to design, manufacture and install a fully optimised, complete propulsion and sterngear package, all built to comply with Bureau Veritas NR500 rules.
Mohammed Hussein Al Shaali, chairman of Gulf Craft said, “Gulf Craft has grown and evolved with its customers. We identified the milestones that lie ahead and set out to realise them. Yet, we did this while simultaneously listening to our clients, learning from them along the way, and using these insights as the source of inspiration behind each one of our creations.
“Our aim is to continue redefining superyacht production using advanced composites to a size once thought impossible, all the while creating bespoke cruising experiences for our customers. Our ceaseless determination has led to this very moment, one where research and development meets megayacht design.”
In line with Al Shaali’s comments, the project will utilise the full breadth of CJR’s capabilities, including its most recent investments in robotic prototyping and manufacture, which, when combined with CFD analysis, automates over 90% of design and manufacture process and allows for 3D propeller, bracket and rudder moulds to be created directly from the CAD designs. This ensures the finished product matches the original design to within millimetre tolerances and the vessel is perfectly balanced from day one.
Once produced, the five-blade props will be some of the largest CJR has ever manufactured entirely in-house, measuring 1.5 metres in diameter. They will be connected to two 10.5 metre CNC-machined shafts, thrust blocks, ‘A’ brackets and intermediate brackets – all designed and constructed by CJR in its Southampton facility. The project will also utilise CJR Fabrication’s expertise, with the vessel’s stainless steel rudders to be fabricated at its factory in Poole, Dorset.
Mark Russell, CJR’s managing director for both businesses commented: “We have worked with Gulf Craft for many years and the yard has grown significantly in that time, both in terms of personnel and capability. As its team has looked to build ever larger yachts, CJR’s own capabilities have developed in parallel, enabling our partnership to continue and flourish – supplying ever-larger propulsion and sterngear systems that are perfect examples of the benefits of our data-driven approach. The recent Majesty 155 is an incredible, award-winning boat, boasting very low noise and vibration levels, and excellent performance and seakeeping, due in part to how we designed and manufactured the propulsion and sterngear system. We expect the 175 to be even better.”