Aquarius - Recreating the ideal rig

In 2018, the 56-meter ketch Aquarius (I) was launched - A yacht that set a high standard in the sailing world with her modern classic design and modern rig. With Aquarius (II), a larger 65-meters successor, we are building on that legacy by enhancing performance and expanding capacity to meet the owner’s ambitious goals for both cruising and racing. The decision to scale up with only minimal adjustments speaks volumes about our confidence in the initial design, as well as the trust placed in our engineering and production teams.

Aquarius (II) features an integrated sailing system designed and manufactured by Rondal, combining spars, rigging, winches, feeders, and deck hardware into a cohesive, high-performing system. This holistic approach ensures compatibility, minimized weight, and streamlined functionality for peak performance and ultimate reliability in any situation. 

PRECISION ENGINEERING FOR DUAL PERFORMANCE: RACING AND CRUISING

As the lead project engineer notes, Aquarius (II) presented highload challenges. Thanks to our experience with building 70m+ rigs, we confidently approached this ketch’s demands for an advanced, race-capable rig, designed to deliver top performance while being manageable for family cruising. Unlike her predecessor, Aquarius (II) has no checkstays; instead, she relies on runner deflectors in the backstays, giving the racing team full control over mast bend and sail shape. Even the mizzen forestay tension is adjustable, adding versatility for both racing and cruising.

To support both high performance and ease of handling, we conducted extensive simulations to determine the ideal rig settings for various wind and sea conditions. This process allowed us to refine the rig for cruising while preserving the responsiveness needed for regattas. The owner, an experienced sailor and regatta enthusiast, set “performance commensurate with length” as a primary goal, and with Aquarius (II) being 45% larger in accommodation volume and boasting a sail area of nearly 2,000 square meters upwind, she is engineered to exceed these expectations. 

ONE-PIECE MAST FOR ULTIMATE STRENGTH

Free from Panamax air-draft restrictions, Aquarius II features a 67.5-meter main mast, constructed as a single piece using our out-of-autoclave (OOA) manufacturing process. This pioneering approach has been developed to meet the growing scale of superyachts and produces a laminate with the same strength as autoclave methods. The primary advantage is that it allows us to build ultra-large masts without joining sections, significantly reducing weight and complexity

ADVANCED WINCHES AND RIGGING SYSTEMS

Aquarius II’s sail-handling system includes our high-capacity hydraulic captive winches. Engineered for both speed and heavy loads, the winches offer line speeds up to 75 meters per minute, essential for fast maneuvering in competitive racing. Paired with our line feeders, the system ensures reliable, tangle-free operation under demanding conditions.

Additionally, Aquarius (II) features a refined furling boom that allows full control over sail shape, even while reefed. The Cunningham enables adjustment of the luff tension while also serving as a tack attachment at every reef. At the clew end, our unique outhaul car engages with clew plates in the sail’s leech, providing full camber control in all wind conditions. These features enhance both performance and usability. 

INTEGRATED ENGINEERING FOR SAFETY AND PERFORMANCE

We collaborated closely with Royal Huisman, Dykstra Naval Architects, Doyle Sails, and project manager Godfrey Cray to incorporate valuable feedback from Aquarius I into Aquarius (II). The engineering
phase included spar performance evaluation and sail system integration to meet Doyle’s structured luff sail loads. Hydraulic power requirements for racing maneuvers, such as gybe sets and leeward mark roundings, were calculated to ensure smooth operation