KM Yachtbuilders delivers second 23m Pelagic 77 Amundsen

Dutch shipyard KM Yachtbuilders has delivered the second 23.5-metre Pelagic 77 yacht from its facilities in Makkum, the Netherlands. Christened Amundsen in honour of the polar explorer Roald Amundsen, the sailing yacht is set to reach the Falkland Islands by 2025.

Construction on the second unit began in March 2022 and was commissioned by the same owner as the first hull, with naval architecture by Tony Castro. Amundsen follows in the footsteps of her sistership, Vinson of Antarctica, sharing the same aluminium hull and superstructure, although Amundsen stands apart thanks to her new environmentally friendly propulsion system. 

 Once complete, the vessel will operate in contrast to her sistership, having been designed for Arctic cruising and research.

Other enhancements include increased headroom in the pilothouse, the removal of the centreboard from the fixed keel, expanded engine room capacity and the installation of two Volvo engines, replacing the Yanmar engines used in Vinson of Antarctica. 

Amundsen features a 6.2-metre beam, styled with a distinctive red boot stripe near the waterline. Her two carbon masts have been designed to maintain an even sailing surface and are fitted with manually operable sail systems, including winches and jib rollers.

Stepping on board, Amundsen boasts a dedicated wheelhouse, a spacious sitting room, and a fully equipped galley. She comfortably accommodates up to eight guests, making it ideal for extended sea voyages.

Founder of MCM Newport, Peter Wilson, elaborated on the improvements. He said: “In her relatively short life, Vinson has proven herself, covering thousands of miles in some of the world's toughest conditions in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. For Amundsen, we’ve upgraded the autopilot and steering systems and refined various aspects of the rig, rigging, deck, and interior to boost both performance and reliability.”

Polar sailor and commercial director of Pelagic Expeditions, Skip Novak, has said the first model has supported four projects in the company's educational arm across Chile and Spain and they were looking to replicate its success. 

The sistership is planned to be employed by scientists/biologists, film and video crews, as well as other ecological purposes.

Skip shared the reasoning behind the second Pelagic 77. He said: “The decision to build a sistership to Vinson of Antarctica stemmed from the success of the original design. These vessels contribute to educational projects for schools in Chile and Spain, and Vinson now operates with South America as her base, including a north-south Atlantic crossing and ventures in the southern hemisphere.”