The Ultra-Fast Ermis2 Is an Engineering Masterpiece Disguising as a Family Yacht

Many decades ago, a young Greek entrepreneur purchased a regatta winner designed by the acclaimed Rob Humphreys. Ioannis Alafouzos would become a well-known shipping magnate who fully embraced his passion for yachts of all kinds. In the early 2000s, he teamed up with the UK-based Humphreys Design for an exciting and challenging project: the Ermis2 yacht, destined to become one of the fastest luxury yachts in the world.

The unique pleasure craft was delivered in 2007, and it was a tremendous feat of research, testing, and construction. First, Humphrey envisioned the Ermis2 concept with heavy input from the owner. Then, the New Zealand-based High Modulus and McMullen & Wing carried out the engineering and execution efforts.

It was a formidable success. Ermis2 was the winner in the "Best Power Yacht, 24-40 meters" category at the 2008 International Superyacht Society Design and Leadership Awards. It also won the World Yachts Trophy and the Showboats International Award that same year.

The award-winning vessel emerged as an enigmatic alternative to the typical luxury yachts. It has the modest and austere appearance of a workboat, clearly shying away from what Humphreys called "dramatic opulence." It wasn't designed to show off but to function as a simple family boat with a focus on seakeeping, speed, and onboard comfort.

Ermis2 didn't boast innovative propulsion. It was equipped with MTU16V 4000 M90 series engines, rated at 2,720 kW each, and KaMeWa jet units. Performance-wise, it combined a trans-oceanic range with exhilarating speed. To this day, it's known to reach 57 knots (65.5 mph/105.5 kph), which makes it officially one of the fastest luxury yachts in the world. At half the speed, it can cover more than 2,300 nautical miles (4,260 km).

This outstanding performance is coupled with exceptional comfort for those on board. According to its designer, Ermis2 is surprisingly quiet (even when speeding, it maintains a conversational level) and stable, ensuring that its guests feel fully comfortable at all times. On board, this working vessel also displayed a simple and informal style based on natural materials.

The interiors were designed to recreate the warm and casual ambiance of a Caribbean vacation beach house. Light-colored ash wood was used for the wall panels, in combination with clear varnish maple for the furnishings. The beach-inspired color palette used tan leather and yellow and blue fabrics as accents.

Accommodation wasn't a priority. The 37.8-meter (124 feet) boasts a four-cabin configuration with a master suite, a double cabin, and two twins. The galley was also specifically designed for an informal family atmosphere. It opens up to the dining area when the owner and his guests want to cook for themselves, and it can also be entirely closed off when they want more privacy. The main salon, the second salon on the lower deck, and the sun lounging area are surprisingly spacious for a yacht this size.

Crew accommodation consists of two cabins with bunk beds plus all the facilities required for self-sufficiency, separate from the guest area, including cooking and entertainment.

The greatest challenge in terms of naval architecture was to find the right balance between the requirements for speed and what Humphreys calls sea kindliness. In other words, the hull needed to boast enough lift for high speed without becoming uncomfortable for the passengers during the ride.

The British designer worked with the Wolfson Unit of Southampton University to carry out a series of tank tests. During these sessions, experimental hulls were tested in a wave tank at various wave heights (covering the Mediterranean and Caribbean spectrum) and boat speeds.

The High Modulus engineering team also had to conduct ample research and testing for the main purpose of saving as much weight as possible while maintaining ruggedness. In the end, the hull and the superstructure were built using a carbon fiber/Kevlar/foam composite and the process of vacuum infusion.

Titanium was added whenever possible for features like deck fittings and handrails. Veneered foam panels were selected for the interior joinery. The composite engineering design also had to fully comply with the Germanisher Lloyds Rules for Special Craft (Yachts over 24 meters).

Jo Humphreys, the interior designer, also had to dedicate considerable effort to make sure that every piece of furniture and all the interior details, including the wall paneling, complied with the overall weight requirements without exception.

The ultra-fast yacht was refitted in 2017 during its ten-year classification survey. In addition to a fresh paint job and engine maintenance, the decade-old vessel got a technical upgrade for automatic trim control, interceptor-assisted steering control, and improved roll resistance. The 123-footer can currently accommodate up to ten guests and delight them with the same adrenaline-pumping speed of 56 knots.

Even though other luxury yachts are trying to find the magic formula for exceptional speed and high comfort levels, Ermis2 will always have a unique status. It continues to be one of the fastest yachts today and one of the most technologically advanced. As its original owner described it, Ermis2 is "extremely fast, extremely light, extremely strong" – the definition of an engineering masterpiece with the understated look of a family-friendly working boat.