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This Tony Castro Sailing Sloop Is World’s Largest Sail Yacht Design, Stunning

Southampton, England-based Tony Castro Yacht Design has an impressive and quite eye-catching portfolio, including several sailing sloops. Should the most recently designed one ever become a reality, it would be the largest of its kind in the world.
62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category 13 photos
Photo: Tony Castro Yacht Design via Boat International
62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category62.5-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category
Much like the auto industry, the naval industry is over-flooded with renders, concepts, and design ideas that, sadly, will never see the light of day, save for their brief moment in the spotlight upon release. With any luck, this won’t be one of those, if only because the design studio behind it has vast experience in the field and could very well, with the right partner and an owner with the right budget, make this happen.

This is a 62.5-meter (205-foot) sailing sloop concept unveiled in December 2020 to Boat International. It’s an exercise of the imagination, alright, and that’s obvious from the start: it doesn’t even get an official name. Call it a case study into what could be achieved in the future with proper implementation of technological innovation.

62\.5\-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category
Photo: Tony Castro Yacht Design via Boat International
A sloop is a special type of sailboat, with a single mast and a fore-and-aft rig arrangement: a headsail in the front and a mast sail aft. In this particular case, the Tony Castro sloop would be, should it ever be built, the largest sail yacht under 500 GT in the world and a first of its kind in a myriad of other ways. It would also be packed with “revolutionary technologies.”

Measuring 62.5 meters (205 feet) in total, the sloop would have a 12.3-meter (40.3-foot) beam and 6.5-meter (21.3-foot) draft and would boast impressive deck space even under sail. When not moving by the power of wind, the sloop would operate thanks to power generators and cobalt-free batteries. The trade publication notes that it would be capable of powering hotel loads silently, with zero emissions when at anchor.

The visually striking design features a sleek hull and piercing bow, designed with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) by D3 Technologies, in partnership with VPP simulations, for “the perfect balance of innovative design and superior performance.” The design is timeless and future-proof, elegant and well balanced, and, because of the sail, mindful of the past while protecting the future.

62\.5\-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category
Photo: Tony Castro Yacht Design via Boat International
Highlights include the insulated, thermal glass roof over the salon on the main deck: the crown jewel, if you will. This would offer unprecedented views for the guests inside, and protection from the elements and extreme temperatures at the same time. The same type of glass is used for the bulwarks, which would offer guests in the cockpit excellent views of the water below. This would be the first time that a superyacht used glass for bulwarks, the design firm notes.

Weather permitting, guests onboard this sailing sloop would have plenty of space to take in the views and work on their tans. The main salon spills into a sizable open-air aft deck, with several lounge areas, a pool, and quick access at sea. A circular “skydeck” helm station sits on top of the salon – again, offering panoramic views at sea under sail for the captain and the occasional guest.

Perhaps in contrast with the minimalist, almost stark exterior, the interior is all about comfort, with mixes of leather, fabric, and dark wood, and the occasional touch of Mediterranean styling in bright turquoise tones. Elsewhere, furnishings are elegant and luxurious and, while there’s a certain level of “comfy” to the vessel as a whole, styling stands out for understated elegance and lushness. Available space is further maximized by the use of an open plan design and plenty of natural light.

62\.5\-meter sailing sloop concept that could be the world's largest sailing yacht in the 500GT category
Photo: Tony Castro Yacht Design via Boat International
This being just a case study, Tony Castro Yacht Design stopped short of offering other details than these mentioned above. As such, there is no word on guest capacity or other amenities. The design house chose to focus on the main point of attraction for such a vessel: it would be a sustainable, limitless yet still very luxurious option to explore the world.
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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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