Dominant minimalism

Every yachtsman's a superyacht owner

- Sam Llewellyn

Reading about a new wizzo superyacht nearly put a bit of a cramp in the summer cruise. Dahlia is all ready to go, gleaming with polish, Woodskinned to golden perfection, and antifouled in a Cambridge blue which if less than charming was at least pretty cheap. Then along comes this superyacht, and we have been forced to see our ancient ketch with new eyes.

Unlike the superyacht, henceforward to be known as Concept Zero, Dahlia is not 73m long, limiting herself to a more discreet nine. But does she, we ask ourselves, reflect Concept Zero’s seminal notion of dominant minimalism, whatever that may be? Let us examine the facts.

Dominant minimalism seems to require (I quote) low bulwarks and intensive use of glass, with access via sliding doors to alfresco spaces. Dahlia is only part of the way there. Her bulwarks are pretty high, thank goodness. There is a bit of glass or anyway perspex in her coachroof windows, but only, by Concept Zero standards, a postage stamp-sized patch of the stuff. Alfresco spaces score better on the Dominant Minimalism index. The cockpit, extremely alfresco, is accessed via a sliding hatch – made, admittedly, of wood, but sliding enough to provide a slight if temporary feeling of smugness.