Zemi debuts
The Malcolm McKeon designed 33.5-metre Zemi has made her regatta debut in the Caribbean, competing in both the Antigua Superyacht Challenge and St Barths Bucket Regatta.
17 April 2024
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Designed by Malcolm McKeon and built by Baltic Yachts, the brief from the owner of Zemi was for a “contemporary, timeless classic”. Commissioned by experienced owners for family cruising, with a desire to venture from the extremes of the Norwegian Fjords to the idyllic coral atolls of the Pacific Islands, this first foray onto the racecourse has been an exciting experience for both the owners and the crew.
Zemi’s generous sail plan features in-boom furling, a multitude of headsail options, a detachable storm jib stay, a furling Code sail tacked forward of the J1, and a variety of A sails set off the fixed bowsprit. Zemi can also switch between a pin-top main for cruising to a square-top main for racing. The entire wardrobe is North Sails.
At the St Barths Bucket, Zemi finished third in class – behind two J Class yachts and ahead of the other modern sloops in her division.
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“We’ve been sailing together for 30 years and come to realise that living aboard a yacht is the best way to spend time with family and friends,” said Zemi’s owner.
“Our daughters sailed with us when they were four and six and, 23 years later, they and their children are still very much involved, contributing to what our new yacht should be.
“We’ve accumulated considerable experience during those years and the name Zemi evolved out of a desire for ZeroEmission. While our new yacht has gone a long way to achieving that status we’re not there yet, although it is still very much our goal to be at the leading edge of technology which will enable us to eventually be emissions free.”
The yacht’s propulsion is by a 247kW Danfoss electric motor with direct drive to a four-bladed folding propeller. Two 129kW gensets charge a bank of lithium-ion batteries, which in turn drive the propulsion motor and supply all domestic, hydraulic and rig handling requirements.
Hydrogeneration is possible using the free-wheeling folding propeller while sailing, and a period of zero emissions motoring is possible drawing directly from the battery bank.
Painted in a smart Metallic bronze, Zemi has a ‘classic aggressive’ superstructure, with curved vertical glass creating an architectural feel in the saloon. A folding dodger and bimini, designed to withstand in excess of 50 knots, protects the large cockpit when in higher latitudes.
Soft curves were added to the deck design to create contemporary, classic lines and the bowsprit was integrated into the hull tooling with its blended shape. Teak was also used to help soften lines and create a more tactile and sculptural feel – most notably in the multifunctional cockpit and also with MMYD’s trademark roll of teak over the transom, but also continuing the teak to the end of the bowsprit to visually lengthen the boat.
“We chose Malcolm McKeon as our designer because he was responsive to our input, maintained a great dialogue and we liked his ability to make a wide, modern yacht look relatively slender,” the owner continued.
“Zemi carries her beam all the way aft for performance and load carrying. His teak ‘rollover’ transom softens what could be a bulky feel, he understood our need for performance – and he’s come up with naval architecture and aesthetics that will age well.”
Zemi has accommodation for eight in four cabins and features an interior by Andreas Martin-Löf.
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