Yacht builder Palmer Johnson (Sturgeon Bay, Wis.) announced the first delivery of its new 48m (157-ft) SuperSport model, featuring a carbon fiber composite hull and deck built by subcontractor Brødrene Aa (Hyen, Norway).
The design emphasizes performance and fuel savings. The lightweight carbon composites help to achieve 50 per cent greater fuel efficiency than similar vessels at speeds up to 32 knots powered by twin MTU 16V 2000 M94 engines. The wave-piercing bow reduces slamming and pitching in head seas at speed. Though the main hull is slender, the innovative monohull design includes sponsons either side at the aft end, enabling an 11m (36-ft) beam that increases natural stability by a factor of three while offering 30 per cent more interior living space than more traditional models.
The yacht accommodates 12 guests and nine crew with a 67 m2 (721-ft2) owner cabin featuring full height windows and a fold down balcony. This is the first yacht to be delivered in the new SuperSport series, which also includes 35m (115-ft) and 72m (236-ft) models.