Malcolm McKeon Yacht Design has broken the traditional boundaries of the sailing catamaran, revealing plans for the MM751, a 75-metre performance multihull.
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Shrouded by dark hull sides and a glass superstructure, Malcolm McKeon’s latest design, known as MM751, encases its occupants in a stylish arrangement that’s completely new to the world of superyacht design.
With low-profile exterior lines that run uninterrupted from bow to stern, this 75-metre sailing yacht has a particularly linear look, accentuated further by a sloop rig that stands 88 metres above the deck.
“While seeking a large and comfortable sailing yacht with excellent performance, the client also specified that onboard spaces should be more like those associated with motor yachts,” said Malcolm McKeon.
“By unpicking traditional arrangements such as saloon lounges and a general flow forward from the aft, we were able to create a more organic dynamic that sees interior living spaces spread across both hulls and with key areas running full beam.”
This new configuration is most evident in the innovative superstructure and cockpit arrangement.
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The typical style of a sailing yacht superstructure has been divided in two, creating a glass canopy that extends aft and a glass coachroof forwards, separated by a flybridge helm that sits nestled between the two.
This unique layout dispels the usual flybridge/sun deck arrangement as well.
Twin helms benefit from a 360-degree vantage point and, while there’s a built-in bank of seating between, the wide teak walkways port and starboard lead guests to the foredeck or aft to the pool.
A minimalistic approach has been taken with the design of deck spaces to keep them versatile, but that doesn’t stop MM751 boasting a six-metre pool aft with an adjacent fire pit, plus sunken outward-facing seating port and starboard.
These stepped arrangements cut into the teak and into the hull side, sitting sheltered behind enormous panels of glass.
When it comes to onboard lifestyle and amenities, being able to equip the yacht with large tenders was a key design consideration.
A 12-metre guest tender is stowed to port and a 9-metre crew tender is found to starboard. MM751 also facilitates water sports, scuba diving and extended coastal excursions.
With the tenders deployed, fold-down balconies in the hull sides create a gym and additional deck space that can be shaded.
At MM751’s stern, the full-beam swim platform can be raised and lowered, providing options for a beach club setup.
Within, MM751 features an interior designed by m2Atelier.
It adopts an open-plan layout for the main living area and this runs athwartships, progressing from a formal dining area to port, to a central lounge, then a cinema lounge to starboard.
The space is flanked by floor-to-ceiling windows in the hulls, which extend overhead to become skylights that welcome natural light – reinforcing the all-important visual connection to the sea and surroundings.
The main galley has also been given a promotion to the main deck and resides to port adjacent to the dining room. In this way, the galley is best located to serve both the aft deck and dining room.
Heightening the focus on fine dining further, MM751 features a 600-bottle wine cellar beneath a statement glass panel in the main deck.
MM751 has accommodation for 12 guests across six suites.
If desired, the forward section of main deck, where the master stateroom and VIP suite reside, can be closed off to become a full-beam owner’s apartment with private lounge. As access to the foredeck is via the forward lobby, this also privatises the forward deck space.
Accommodation for 12 crew plus an additional cabin for supernumeraries is located on the lower deck of the port hull.
The advantages of a catamaran hull configuration are many. With MM751, these are characterised by the minimal heel angle, greater stability and expansive deck spaces.
Under motor, MM751 has a top speed of 17.5 knots and a range of 2,000 nautical miles. At a more economical cruising speed of 12 knots, the range extends to more than 4,200 nautical miles.
The diesel-electric system allows for silent operation at lower speeds and electrical regeneration while sailing with power fed back to the battery bank, in addition to energy provided by solar panels in the glass skylight.
Under the prowess of her sails, MM751 will outperform true wind speeds, easily attaining 1.5-plus wind speed in light airs and over 25 knots in stronger breeze – all with a heel angle of less than five degrees.
The sails run from captive winches with push-button control. The mainsail is a square top with boom furling and the foresails are on hydraulic under-deck furlers with the downwind code sail stored on a drum in the forepeak.
MM751 is equipped with telescopic daggerboards, optimising upwind sailing performance while providing the option for reduced draft in shallower waters and increased efficiency during motoring.
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