Orient Express Corinthian has reached a crucial milestone in her construction: the stepping of her three masts
c: Orient Express Sailing Yachts
Several days have been required to install these 69 meters, 226 feet, carbon masts, rising to a total air draft of 100m, 328ft, (the distance from the waterline to the masthead).
This spectacular operation, which consists of tilting each mast into a vertical position, gives the yacht her definitive silhouette.
This high-precision manoeuvre calls on unique expertise at the crossroads of aeronautical and naval engineering. Carried out by the teams of Chantiers de l’Atlantique, it relies on ultra-high-capacity cranes and a dynamic guidance system ensuring the millimetric insertion of each mast into its steel base, as well as their connection to the yacht’s electronic systems and networks.
The stepping of the masts is a defining moment in the life of a sailing vessel. It gives the yacht her momentum, her profile, her verticality. For Orient Express Sailing Yachts, it also embodies an ambition: to unite the timeless elegance of sail with the most advanced technological innovation. We are the only sailing yacht in the world of luxury cruising yachts.
Vianney Vautier, Chief Operating Officer Orient Express Sailing Yachts
These three masts, equipped with tilting and rotating yards, are remarkable achievements of engineering.
They allow the sailing yacht to sail closer to the wind, delivering unprecedented performance while significantly reducing environmental impact. Orient Express Corinthian is the first yacht to be fitted with the revolutionary SolidSail propulsion system, an innovation developed by Chantiers de l’Atlantique.
With three rigid sails, each 16 145ft² (1 500m²), the yacht will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 17 knots. Depending on wind and sea conditions, the journey will be carried under sail alone or in hybrid mode. Designed to combine elegance, robustness and sustainability, SolidSail ushers in a new era of wind-assisted propulsion.
This navigation, close to the wind, will allow each destination to be revealed from the unique perspective of a sea approach, an exceptional way to discover both legendary and more secluded coastlines. This marks the last major visible operation before the rigging is set in place, most notably the installation of the sails, the next significant milestone for Orient Express Corinthian.
he following steps will include interior fittings and the first sea trials.