Baltic Nikata 115’

The newly launched Baltic 115’ Nikata, the latest all-carbon custom performance racer/cruiser designed by Nauta Design in collaboration with judel/vroljik & co, has lived up to the promise of her sleek and fast looks completing her first Atlantic crossing at speeds that topped at 28.8 knots.

This dramatically elegant, sleek, silver-hulled 88 ton yacht was built for an owner who is an experienced yachtsman with many high profile regatta wins under his belt. He had a demanding and challenging brief for Nauta Design and Project Manager Nigel Ingram: a beautiful yacht built for speed and elegance in safety and comfort. Nikata has proved to be all that he wished for.

Nikata is the third Nauta Design project built by Baltic Yachts, the renowned Finnish shipyard specialized in hi-tech carbon construction. Nauta Design contributed the general concept, exterior styling and interior design while naval architects judel/vroljik & co designed the hull and waterlines after extensive performance optimizing VPP studies. The Owner’s Project Manager, Nigel Ingram from MCM, also made an important contribution to the Nikata team. The same team recently collaborated successfully on the 116’ blue-water cruiser Doryan, launched in early 2015. Gurit was responsible for the structural engineering.

The Owner already had a regatta agenda in mind and wanted an innovative and competitive yacht with winning potential. Nikata’s performance hull is in pre-preg carbon sandwich and has aggressive lines optimized for speed after extensive CFD tests. The yacht has a relatively light displacement of 88 tons, a powerful sail plan and remarkable stability thanks to a lifting keel that extends from 3.65 m to 5.85 m.

The low, streamlined deckhouse is Nauta Design’s latest definition of the shape of performance racer/cruisers. The glossy, iron grey metallic hull colour and the softer silver grey of the deckhouse set off the natural teak deck for a stylish, contemporary look that remains sporty and seafaring.

Sportsmen will be happy to find top notch racing hardware and systems on deck such as transversal hydraulically controlled jib sheeting for both fore/aft and inboard/outboard jib trimming.

Nikata’s interiors offer luxuries usually found only on larger, less sport-orientated yachts. The coachroof is flush-deck but the saloon is light and bright thanks to top and side windows. There is a professional bar area for relaxing after racing and a comfortable chill-out/TV area for recovering. All fittings and furnishings are in lightweight yet durable composite panels veneered in oak and upholstery and wall panels are in light coloured linen for a style that is simple and pared down yet elegant and soothing to the eye.

Cabins include a large and elegant Owner’s cabin and three spacious guest cabins. Crew areas include a functional and spacious galley, a double cabin for the Captain, two other cabins and a comfortable crew mess. The “Owner forward” layout places all crew and operational areas aft so that crew and guest areas are kept separate and the crew can have quick access from interior to deck and vice versa.

When Nikata is not racing, her Owner and his family and friends can enjoy huge sunbed areas and the ingenious fold-out stern platform. This feature was engineered and designed by Nauta and built by Baltic to incorporate a wide set of steps along with a swimming area so that guests can reach the main deck and large cockpit with ease. In the stowed position this teak-laid platform seamlessly becomes part of the aft deck.

Baltic Yachts brought Van Cappellen Consultancy to the project for their masterful soundproofing. After her thrilling Atlantic crossing, Nikata is now in the Caribbean well in advance of her scheduled regatta debut.

MAIN DIMENSIONS

LOA

35.00 m

LWL

32.52 m

Beam

8.07 m

Min. Draft

3.65 m

Max Draft

5.85 m

Displacement (lightship)

88 Tons

Ballast

33 Tons

Sail Plan

Mainsail= m2 395
Genoa= m2 280
Gennaker= m2 940

Naval Architect

judel/vrolijk & co
General concept, deck and interior design: Nauta Design

Builder

Baltic Yachts
Project Management: Nigel Ingram (MCM)

Strctural Engineering

Gurit
Soundproofing / Noise & Vibration

Consultancy

Van Cappellen Consultancy

All photos by Guido Cantini