A secretive and seasoned American yacht owner has ordered his second explorer yacht from Damen Yachting’s Xplorer 60 series, with delivery scheduled for 2028. What is not so secret is his passion for seafaring, as this is the same individual who took delivery of a 197-foot ice-class explorer and a 175-foot shadow yacht on the same day. Now, the owner of After You and Emotional is expanding his formidable fleet with a vessel designed to support his “strong ambition to explore beyond conventional cruising grounds.” The aim is simple: to deploy the yacht for private adventures while facilitating scientific research in some of the world’s most remote regions.
According to Boat International, the 1,160 GT explorer, with an ice-class steel hull and aluminum superstructure, will feature exterior styling by Azure Yacht Design and Naval Architecture and interiors by H2 Yacht Design. Guest spaces will span three decks, with six suites accommodating 12 guests, supported by 16 crew members plus a captain. Beneath its rugged exterior, H2 Yacht Design has envisioned an interior with a relaxed “beach house feel,” contrasting with After You’s warmer, ski-chalet-inspired decor. One of the highlights of the 197-footer will be a forward observation lounge offering 270-degree panoramic views and a front-row seat to passing whales, icebergs, remote coastlines, and perhaps even the owner’s other vessels sailing alongside.
The yacht will also include a wellness zone on the bridge deck, a 60-square-meter main-deck salon and dining area, and a full-beam owner’s suite forward on the main deck. The superyacht is estimated to cost nearly $100 million. Outside, a 195-square-meter multifunctional area below the helideck can be configured as a Cabana Lounge, a dive and wellness deck, or storage for tenders and expedition equipment. It will also have a 40-square-meter expedition store, twin tender bays for boats measuring up to approximately 10.5 meters, and a certified helideck rated for aircraft weighing up to 4,000 kilograms.The yacht is expected to deliver a range of 5,000 nautical miles and up to 30 days of autonomy.
The latter refers to its ability to remain independent of ports through onboard stores, water production, waste management, fuel, freezers, and technical systems, rather than 30 days of continuous cruising. Its hybrid propulsion system is designed to provide quieter, lower-emission operation around wildlife and in environmentally sensitive regions.
Jorrit Pilaar, commercial executive EMEA at Damen Yachting, said, “This sale is a strong endorsement of the Xplorer 60 design and of the momentum we are seeing across the Xplorer range. Owners are increasingly looking for yachts that can take them further and support a more varied programme. For this owner, the Xplorer 60 proved to be the right platform.”
It will be interesting to see what the reportedly witty Kansas-based private-equity investor names his latest acquisition. His other two yachts already reveal his sense of humor: After You allows him to tell anyone who asks that he named it “after you,” while Emotional is a play on the phrase “emotional support.” Whatever he decides to call the new explorer, it will have to be witty enough to sail alongside After You and its very expensive form of Emotional support.
