Palmer Johnson Premieres New SuperSport Series

Even successful superyacht designs sometimes benefit from modifications. Such is the case with Palmer Johnson’s long-standing SuperSport Series, from the design boards of Nuvolari Lenard. Three new SuperSport models are now available, with a wavepiercer hull form for increased stability and lower fuel consumption.

In fact, one is already under construction, for delivery next year. Referred to as the 48m, meaning 48 meters (157 feet), she’s shown here. If you’re familiar with the SuperSport megayachts, the 48m clearly bears a family resemblance. The same is true of the other two new models, a 42m and a 78m, measuring 138 feet and 236 feet respectively.
 Palmer Johnson decided to employ a wavepiercer hull design for its advantages in cruising comfort and efficiency. Wavepiercers may look like catamarans due to having twin hulls, but they feature super-sharp demi-hulls, for slicing through seas. Their fine bows also don’t pitch the way that traditional monohulls sometimes do. The design overall boosts stability and reduces roll. It also reduces wear and tear on those aboard. These advantages are major reasons why wavepiercers are often selected as the hull forms for passenger ferries and some military craft, and are therefore making inroads into megayacht design.

 Palmer Johnson is further switching the construction material for these new SuperSport Series megayachts. It’s employing carbon fiber, rather than aluminum. Carbon fiber is known for its light weight, so that has an impact on performance, too. Palmer Johnson expects the first 48m SuperSport to top out at 32 knots, for example. The shipyard also states that the 48m SuperSport will consume less than 264 gallons per hour (1,000 liters) per hour at that speed. Of course, she’ll have transatlantic range at a more leisurely 15 knots.

 In terms of the megayacht’s general arrangement, the 48m SuperSport will bear popular elements like a full-beam owner’s suite on the main deck and floor-to-ceiling windows lining the saloon. If you look at the rendering above, you’ll see cutouts in the megayacht’s bulwarks. These will enhance the views from inside the saloon. Equally attractive views await from inside the skylounge, essentially encased in glass. The megayacht will also include a beach club and outdoor areas aft that can join inside ones as indoor-outdoor spaces. A 36-foot (11-meter) beam and gross tonnage beneath the all-important 500 level add to the appeal.


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