In Monaco, Royal Huisman presented the Special One, a unique 52-meter superyacht that is also the world’s largest sport fishing boat. This luxurious yacht can accommodate guests in five cabins, including two that span the full width of the ship. One striking feature is the glass pneumatic lift, suitable for three people, making the yacht accessible for all generations.
View the article in magazine Jachtbouw Nederland edition 1 – February 2025.
Vripack Yacht Design and Royal Huisman were faced with a considerable design challenge. The owner demanded an iconic American sport fishing boat profile, combined with luxury facilities and high performance. Simply upgrading a standard sport fishing boat was not an aesthetically pleasing solution, so the designers had to work creatively. Among the important requirements were a master suite for the owner on the main deck, fast and agile sailing properties and a spacious interior with social areas divided over six decks. Despite these requirements, the ship had to stay within the limit of 500 GT, a new standard for large sport fishing boats.
Aluminium limits weight
To meet the speed requirements, an aluminium construction was opted for in order to limit the weight. This was essential to deliver the performance the owner desired. The choice for Royal Huisman was partly influenced by their experience with innovative projects, such as the advanced motor yacht Phi. Although several shipyards claimed that the Special One was a technical impossibility, Royal Huisman embraced the challenge.
Exceptionally complex
The technological complexity of the project was truly exceptional. According to Vripack Yacht Design, five years ago no one would have believed that a 52-meter sport fishing boat could reach a speed of 30 knots. And yet, the Special One can accelerate from 0 to 30 knots in a mere 46 seconds. This was made possible by highly sophisticated naval architecture and the outstanding craftmanship of sailing yacht builders, who are accustomed to working within limited spaces.
The Special One proves that Royal Huisman continues to push the boundaries in the superyacht industry. The yacht combines innovation, luxury and performance, making it a unique vessel in the world of sport fishing boats.
