Sailing Yacht A is a sailing yacht launched in 2015.[2] The vessel is a sail-assisted motor yacht[3] designed by Doelker + Voges (exteriors) on an original idea of Jacques Garcia,[4] Philippe Starck (interiors) [4] and built by Nobiskrug in Kiel, Germany for the Russian oligarch billionaire Andrey Melnichenko.[5]

Its propulsion consists of a variable-speed hybrid powerplant with two lineshaft controllable-pitch propellers that is sail-assisted by a three-mast fore-and-aft sailing rig. The freestanding carbonfiber rotating masts were manufactured by Magma Structures at Trafalgar Wharf, Portsmouth.[6] Doyle Sailmakers USA manufactured the three fully automated carbonfiber/taffeta full roach sails. The furling booms were built in Valencia by Future Fibres. The rigging of this yacht was developed partially to be implemented on cargo ships and to be used for commercial use.[7] The vessel features an underwater observation pod in the keel with 30 cm (12 in)-thick glass. It is the largest private sail-assisted motor yacht in the world.[8]

Sailing Yacht A was delivered by Nobiskrug on February 3, 2017, and left Kiel on February, 5, 2017.[9][10][11] It exited the Baltic Sea in light mode on near-empty fuel tanks in order to clear the Drogden Strait with minimum draught. It underwent final sea trials and the final fit-out at the Navantia shipyard in Cartagena, Spain. Boat International called it the boundary pushing superyacht.[3]

Building site: Kiel[12]Builder: NobiskrugNaval architecture: Nobiskrug & Dykstra Naval ArchitectsExterior design: Philippe Starck[4]Interior decoration: Philippe StarckDiesel powerplant: two MTU 20V 4000 M73L 2,050 rpm 3,600 kW lineshaft engines [13]Electric powerplant: four 14,050–24,050 rpm 2,800 kW hotel generators driving two Vacon 4,300 kW lineshaft motorsTransmission: superimposable/clutched diesel-electric transmission controlled by DEIF systemsPropulsion: Andritz Hydro / Escher Wyss & Cie. 5-bladed controllable-pitch lineshaft twin screw[5]Emission treatment: Emigreen, 4 × diesel particulate filter (soot filtration) on diesel generators.