State-of-the-art, ultra-lightweight saloon styled by Design Unlimited, with panoramic views. Note the beer tap in the galley
performance multihull. We also recognised that the exterior
shape above the waterline was key to the platform’s overall performance. Integrating the cabin top and underwing into a seamless, aerodynamically efficient shape was akin to designing the fuselage of an aeroplane. While aesthetics remained critical, our emphasis was on aerodynamics and functionality. The result is the slick teardrop design of the cabin top that not only enhances the yacht’s visual appeal but also reduces drag and improves overall efficiency by integrating the sails and hull into one optimised aerodynamic package.
Structural design: balancing
strength and weight Structurally, the PB72 is built to the highest standards in the game. Constructed at Persico Marine entirely of prepreg carbon fibre with a Nomex honeycomb core and foam-cored elements in high-impact areas like the bows, every component is engineered for an optimal strength-to-weight ratio. We used Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to map stress and strain distributions across the composite laminate structure, informing everything from laminate schedules and bulkhead placement to the reinforcement of foil cases and the optimisation of load paths. Kurt Jordan led the structural FEA analysis in close collaboration with our Morrelli & Melvin team, carefully developing the critical load cases in conjunction with North Sails and Southern Spars. We combined our state- of-the-art simulation tools with traditional load case standards from the ISO multihull rule to validate the design’s integrity. By selecting intermediate modulus
pre-preg carbon fibre for the primary structures and employing advanced vacuum techniques to achieve high fibre-to-resin ratios with optimal curing conditions, we ensured that the hulls, beams and foil structures can withstand both the steady loads of cruising and the
extreme forces generated at speed. Note that the light ship weight – approximately 19 tons – ismeasured without the RMFoils deployed, while the vessel weighs around 22.5 tons in full race mode. The PB72 remains lean yet exceptionally robust, ready to push the limits.
Advanced systems Our foil control systems were designed and engineered in-house at Morrelli & Melvin, with the hydraulic actuation systems developed by CCHE. The RMFoils use passively adaptive, surface-piercing geometry to manage lift dynamically, but to fully unlock their potential we needed a control environment that could match their complexity without overloading the crew. The PB72 uses a hydraulic foil
actuation system managed by a PLC- based automation platform - a Programmable Logic Controller, built for precise, high-speed control in demanding conditions. We collaborated with Emirates Team New Zealand to integrate their proven PLC infrastructure from the America’s Cup.
The foil control system interfaces with
SumToZero’s “Blogger” autopilot software, which uses the same physics engine as Gomboc, the dynamic VPP simulator we used during the yacht’s design and performance development. That continuity from simulation to real-world control creates an unusually tight feedback loop between virtual testing and the boat’s actual on-the-water behaviour. To round out the performance systems
we integrated a hybrid propulsion and power generation package from Torqeedo. The PB72 uses a system very similar to their standard Deep Blue Hybrid system, which not only delivers efficient electric propulsion but also supplies power to onboard systems, including the hydraulics used for foil control and sail handling. It’s a lightweight, reliable and silent system when needed.
Collaboration across disciplines No project of this scale is completed in isolation. We partnered with some of the industry's top players to bring the PB72 to life. Malcolm Park served as the project
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Aero flow visualisation developed by M&M to optimise the yacht’s platform architecture
SEAHORSE 81
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