Designed by John Shuttleworth Yacht Designs for experienced Hong Kong yacht owners Anto and Elaine Marden, Adastra is the result of more than five years of design and discussion between the owners and the design house. The key driver has been to produce a "beautiful" yacht that will have low fuel consumption while still providing excellent sea-keeping qualities and luxurious accommodation.
Shuttleworth has used extensive tank testing and radio-controlled model tests in waves in the quest to design a power trimaran capable of delivering a viable luxury yacht with the level of stability and comfort at sea demanded by her owners.
As a result, the height of the outriggers has been set at a level designed to provide the greatest ease of motion while at sea. In addition, a new outrigger shape has been developed to increase stability through the waves.
The design house also undertook a state-of-the-art structural analysis of all the yacht's major components. This has allowed them to achieve the light weight required to ensure the desired low fuel consumption.
With an impressive 16-metre beam, Adastra will boast an exceptionally spacious saloon area on her main deck. This will include a lounge area, formal dining table and navigation station, and offer superb views through a panoramic window.
A forward-facing door through the saloon window will give easy access to a large sunbed on the foredeck while the aft deck will feature a sofa and bar area to port and another dining area to starboard.
Further aft will be space for a 4.9m tender and, directly below, a garage capable of storing another 3.1m tender. The garage door has been designed to fold out and create a large dive platform.
The designers say they have also slightly flared the hull just above the waterline to create extra space below decks. This area has been split into two sections: a full-width master cabin located aft with access from the deck saloon; and two further guest cabins, accommodation for the crew and the galley located forward of the engine room.
As a result, Adastra will be able to offer comfortable accommodation, in an interior designed by Hong Kong-based Jepsen Design, for nine guests and up to six crew.
The main helm station, which has seating for two, is positioned in a raised pilothouse situated between the aft deck and the saloon area and forms part of the crossbeam structure.
Adastra is being built with a superstucture of carbon fibre, with Nomex honeycomb core, a hull of glass/kevlar foam sandwich and an interior of lightweight oak cabinetry with honeycomb panels.
To further help reduce weight, virtually every aspect of the boat is being custom built.
This includes the carbon-fibre hatches, portlights, ladders and even hinges, which are all being built specifically for this vessel.
A modern integrated monitoring system will keep a weather eye on fuel, security, pump sensors, electrical and lighting systems. The vessel will also include a fully automated fuel-management system, including an Alfa Laval system for cleaning the fuel.
Even Adastra's anchoring system is unique. It will feature three anchors, all driven by carbon-fibre drum winches run by hydraulics. The primary anchor is a custom 130kg Bruce-style anchor that will deploy out of the starboard wing. The second anchor is 80kg and will deploy out of the bow with a carbon-fibre arm. The third anchor is 60kg. It will deploy out of the port wing and will be used as a stern anchor.
Adastra will be powered by a single 1150 hp Caterpillar C18 diesel in her main hull and two 110hp Yanmar diesels in the outriggers. She is designed to have a top speed of 22.5 knots and to have a cruising range, at 17 knots, of 4000 nautical miles.
