The ultimate explorer?

Skip Novak’s onboard tour of Vinson of Antarctica (see Yachting World’s Youtube channel) has attracted a lot of comments:

Having sailed all my life as an amateur and professional including single-handed Atlantic crossings, I have never seen such a well planned sailing yacht. I’d give anything to join her as crew or passenger. Congratulations to all of the team who have made this possible, may you all have great memories and adventures. King Neptune

The pinnacle of Skip’s Pelagic concept... Along with Tony Castro and K&M the dream team have created the most competent sailing vessel afloat... I would hope that the concepts and ideas trickle down to manufacturers building so-called ‘expedition boats’.

Mike Devlin

Seriously well thought out. Designed for work, stable and sane sail plan, workflows and onboard traffic flows accounted for, quality build and materials and environmentally responsible. I haven’t seen another working yacht this well put together stem to stern. I don’t envy the helmsman in a high latitude storm, but that’s all part of the fun, right? Zingaroxiv

A great boat and very interesting description of its merits. Skip continually simplifies and assess risks that could lead to catastrophic events. He is continually playing ‘what ifs’ and he does this very well.

Some of the systems on this boat are not able to be simplified in the ways he has been able to do before. For example, on his last boat he often removed the anchor from the bow before attempting rough seaways [and] would stow the anchor below to move the weight of the chain and anchor lower and midships. Things like that can’t be done on this beast. He is a great sailor but, like all of us, I guess he is continually learning. Paul Bennett