Conscientious explorer
Exploration, conservation and lowering carbon emissions combine in a new design for Special Purpose Vessel, SailXplorer.
12 March 2026
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Project SailXplorer was revealed during a keynote presentation at the Superyacht Technology Show in Barcelona 10 March.
The concept and design of the SailXplorer entails explorer yachts developed under a common idea: create vessels equipped to accommodate a wide scope of expeditions and capable of sailing globally in a sustainable way.
The project was born from the collaboration of experienced sailing ship captain and operations manager Dominique Geysen, together with naval architect and two-time Young Designer of the Year Award finalist Andres Otano. The union of two generations and backgrounds resulted in multiple designs that respond to the robust, bold equipment requirements of today’s global exploration missions with elegance.
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In an era where ‘all hands on deck’ is the order of the day for the maritime industry to get its act together towards carbon emissions, and the urge to engage in ocean conservation, SailXplorer aims to attend to both challenges.
By combining smart technologies with wind- and hybrid-propulsion, a near-carbon-neutral solution for global navigation is within reach.
Beyond design and performance, project SailXplorer proposes a new way to navigate the future, addressing a new generation of owners willing to sail the globe with a purpose in mind. The SailXplorer serves as a multi-purpose platform, providing flexibility across a wide range of missions. The robust, functionality-first design combines the elegance of sailing under sail and the functionality of modern exploration vessels, without compromising comfort.
The interior includes dedicated spaces for science and communication, and even a medical facility with a foldable hyperbaric chamber.
To ease the handling of tenders and subsea equipment, an innovative launch-and-recovery solution has been integrated to enable fast, safe deployment. Special attention was paid to the layout of a dive deck to ensure smooth equipment handling.
The merging of the concept and advanced naval engineering results in a flexible, multi-purpose platform that enables a SailXplorer to support a wide range of expeditions globally.
To showcase the concepts, several vessels with two distinct lines were designed upon the same principles SailXplorer stands for.
The XV line carries a DNA of all-round explorer vessels, with a high freeboard and a large open aft deck with multiple capabilities.
A meticulous focus on managing the flow of people and ensuring safe operations can be recognised too.
The groundbreaking XY line places a well-defined focus on open exterior spaces, providing a more private experience for guests, in addition to dedicated operational areas.
The inspiring SailXplorer concept motivated several companies to engage in the momentum by showcasing the design with their own vision and know-how.
The Atelier Cala design includes a serene yet elegant interior design that matched the needs of a true explorer, whilst VBH optimised the interior by integrating innovative technologies. Top-grade VR company Sanders Studios offered the audience a VR experience on board the SailXplorer XV53.
As a Yacht or as a Special Purpose Vessel, the SailXplorer concepts have audacity and capacity to serve from scientific missions to film crew deployment, citizen science, or dive charters, educational programs, or even relief missions.
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