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35 years of Pendennis: remembering 2011

We’re now halfway through our 35th anniversary year, and what celebration of our history would be complete without a mention of 2011? Featuring the launches of three unique and extraordinary new build sailing yachts – Hemisphere, Christopher and Akalam – as well as the extensive remodel of motor yacht Audacia and the refits of Adela, Dardanella, Andromeda la Dea, Gitana and Dona Amélia.

We also opened our office in Palma, which became our main Mediterranean base until the opening of Pendennis Vilanova in 2019.

Pendennis new builds: Hemisphere

Hemisphere was launched by Pendennis in 2011 as the world’s largest privately owned sailing catamaran, at 44.2m LOA. One of the most unique and imposing launches in our 35-year history, she turns heads due to her sheer scale, but equally impressive is the level of luxurious detail within her interior spaces and range of on-board facilities. Pendennis partnered with leading multihull naval architects Van Peteghem Lauriot Prévost (VPLP) – designers of the 33rd America’s Cup winning multihull.

Following Hemisphere’s launch, we were able to exhibit Hemisphere at Monaco yacht show in 2011. Hemisphere won an Interior Layout Award, at the Sailing Yacht ShowBoats Design Awards 2012, and also won an Interior Design Award at the ShowBoats Design Awards 2012. Hemisphere additionally received the judge’s commendation in the Sailing Yacht 40m+ category at The World Superyacht Awards 2012. To read more about Hemisphere click here.

Photography - Jeff Brown

Photography - Jeff Brown

Photography - Jeff Brown

Photography - Jeff Brown

Swim platform with dive centre & compressors in the lazarette, photography - Jeff Brown

Swim platform with dive centre & compressors in the lazarette, photography - Jeff Brown

Luxury sailing catamaran Hemisphere gliding through tropical waters with sails raised and guests relaxing on deck.

Hemisphere at sea, photography - Jeff Brown

Superyacht Hemisphere raised in the Pendennis dry dock during flood-up, showcasing her twin-hull catamaran structure.

Hemisphere's flood up

Hemisphere illuminated at night with underwater lights as fireworks explode overhead during her departure from Falmouth.

Hemisphere departing Falmouth (photography Nick Bailey)

Hemisphere lit by underwater lights with fireworks bursting overhead as she departs Falmouth.

Fireworks during Hemisphere's departure from Falmouth (photography Nick Bailey)

Christopher

Another truly unique launch in 2011 includes that of sailing yacht Christopher. Christopher is the largest ketch built by Pendennis to date and was delivered in the Spring of 2011 in time to compete in the St Barth’s Bucket Regatta. Pendennis partnered with Ron Holland Design and Palm Beach Yachts International at the end of 2008 to build the new 46m performance cruising ketch, with construction beginning in 2009.

Since her launch, experts at Pendennis have been available to support her wherever she cruises throughout the world. Engineers visited the yacht in Costa Rica and Pendennis Pacific was on hand with logistics and parts supply whilst Christopher cruised through Bali. Christopher achieved a finalist position in the Sailing Yacht 40m+ category at the World Superyacht Awards in 2012, and a finalist position in the Best Sail Boat 40m+ category (International Superyacht Society, 2011). Read more about Christopher here.

Christopher sailing with full sails up in the deep blue sea, with a crew visible on deck during a race.

Sailing yacht Christopher at sea

Superyacht Christopher suspended in a travel lift at Pendennis shipyard, decorated with signal flags, with workers guiding the launch process.

2011 launch in Falmouth

Superyacht Christopher in a shipyard facility during construction, with her blue hull and teak decks clearly visible, supported by scaffolding and equipment inside a large industrial building.

Christopher in Falmouth

Christopher sailing past rugged coastlines with its sails up, cutting through the blue water on a sunny day at the St Barths Bucket in 2011.

The 2011 St Barths Bucket (photography Cory Silken)

Christopher racing at the 2011 St Barths Bucket, with a red spinnaker sail featuring a chili pepper design, sailing on the clear blue waters with crew visible on deck.

The 2011 St Barths Bucket (photography Cory Silken)

Bright and welcoming lounge aboard superyacht Christopher featuring cushioned chairs, a striped sofa with vibrant red and cream cushions, polished wood tables, and a stylish mirrored bar with glassware and a nautical painting.

Main salon with unique Parisian bar (photography Cory Silken)

Bright and elegant bedroom aboard superyacht Christopher featuring a large white bed with a blue throw, striped cushion, a breakfast tray, and nautical-themed decor with seashell lights.

VIP cabin (photography Cory Silken)

Christopher illuminated at night with fireworks in the background, celebrating with vibrant colors lighting up the sky in 2011.

2011 launch celebrations in Falmouth

Akalam

The Barracuda 105 Akalam was launched in the winter of 2010 and delivered to her Owner in early 2011. Naval architecture was provided by Barracuda Yacht Design, and interior design by Javier Munoz.

Akalam has an impressive 60 square metre aft deck area, and a unique retro appearance with a varnished wooden base. Akalam has achieved several finalist positions at award ceremonies including a Sailing Yacht – Interior Design Award, Naval Architecture Award and Recreational Space Designed for Guest Use Award at the ShowBoats Design Awards, 2012. She also was a finalist in the 30-40m Sailing Yacht category at the World Superyacht Awards in 2012, and a finalist in the Best Sail Boat 24-40m category (International Superyacht Society, 2011). To read more about Akalam click here.

Akalam’s elegant aft deck in daylight, offering generous seating areas with polished wood details and panoramic waterfront views.

Akalam in Falmouth (photography Mark Lloyd)

The main saloon aboard Akalam, featuring contemporary furniture, large windows, and a skylight roof creating a bright, open-plan living space.

Akalam's interiors (photography Mark Lloyd)

Modern interior of the sailing yacht Akalam, featuring a light wood finish, panoramic windows, and a spacious seating and dining area under skylights.

Akalam's interiors (photography Mark Lloyd)

Akalam’s spacious aft deck at dusk, featuring relaxed lounge seating and ambient lighting under the sweeping canopy.

Impressive 60 square metre aft deck (photography Mark Lloyd)

Close-up view of Akalam’s bright and modern lounge area, featuring a cream sofa, armchair, and glass roof with panoramic windows.

Engine room equipment specified for performance sailing (photography Mark Lloyd)

Akalam’s dining area, showcasing a sleek modern interior with natural light, panoramic windows, and a polished dark wood dining table set for guests.

The dining area featured a unique retro design (photography Mark Lloyd)

Akalam’s elegant aft deck in daylight, offering generous seating areas with polished wood details and panoramic waterfront views.

Seating area over the raised counter stern (photography Mark Lloyd)

The dining area aboard Akalam, featuring a contemporary interior design with light wood finishes, large windows, and a skylight overhead.

Dining area (photography Mark Lloyd)

The remodel of Audacia

The motor yacht Audacia arrived at Pendennis in 2011 for a comprehensive nine-week refit and stern remodelling. At 46.5m LOA (increasing to 48.5m post-refit) there was room in our outer dry dock for her to be placed next to motor yacht Dardanella, with flood up and launch of both yachts planned for the same day.

Audacia’s stern received a 2m extension, and other works included stylistic improvements to the vessel both in her interior and exterior detail. You can read more about Audacia here.

Other notable refits completed by Pendennis in 2011 include Adela, Andromeda la Dea, Dardanella, Gitana and Dona Amélia.

Audacia and Dardanella superyachts side by side in the Pendennis dry dock during refit works.

Audacia alongside Dardanella in our 150m dry dock

Audacia in dry dock undergoing refit, with workers on scaffolding and hull in the process of restoration.

The stern is prepared for initial paintworks

View beneath Audacia in dry dock showing twin propellers and rudder, with superyacht Dardanella alongside.

Audacia's refit took 3 months

Audacia during refit works inside a covered dry dock, with workers overseeing operations and a crew member lifted in a cradle.

The stern was completely restyled to create a 2m extension

Audacia motoring towards the marina on a clear day, with crew visible on deck.

Sea trials in Falmouth following her 3-month refit

The opening of the Palma office

2011 also saw the opening of Pendennis’ technical refit office and workshop in the busy Mediterranean port of Palma. The new facility offered an extension of Pendennis’ existing services, providing support for yachts that passed through the Mediterranean looking for short works and running repairs.

Pendennis Palma served as our main Mediterranean base until the opening of Pendennis Vilanova in 2019.

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