Pelagic 77 launched at KM Yachtbuilders

KM Yachtbuilders has launched expedition vessel Pelagic 77. Her two carbon masts were set immediately after the launch and her official name is now Vinson of Antarctica, after the highest mountain on the Antarctic continent.

She’ll be used for charter trips from Puerto Williams in South Chile as well as for private purposes and is owned by Nicolás Ibáñez Scott, a Chilean entrepreneur.

The vessel has been under construction since summer 2019. Finishing and commissioning now commence before sea trials take place on the North Sea. The first trip will be to Norway. After the summer, the crew plans to sail to South America, ending at Puerto Williams in Chile, the southernmost inhabited place in the world.

“This expedition ship builds on the successes of the Pelagic Australis and was conceived and designed for high latitude expedition voyages. That calls for a high level of self-reliance, practical ease while sailing and of course, given the Pelagic philosophy, simple systems that can be easily maintained even in remote areas without specialist help,” says Skip Novak, who represents Pelagic Yachts.

Vinson of Antarctica, with a centreboard and fixed keel box, is a schooner with a modern design and two carbon masts so that the sail area is distributed and all sail systems, such as winches and jib rollers, can still be operated by hand.

At 150 hp, the two Yanmar engines provide ample power, says KM Yachtbuilders. There are six double cabins and two communal toilets and showers.