Under sail off Shark Island with the port C-foil deployed, Palm Beach XI gathered speed smoothly before visibly lifting and transitioning from a traditional displacement mode into dynamic efficiency across flat water. What began as an ambitious concept has now been tested and validated on the water: controlled, stable and fast.
Re-Engineering a Racing Icon
The initiative to rework Palm Beach XI has been led by Palm Beach Motor Yachts founder and CEO Mark Richards. Rather than simply upgrading a veteran racer, Richards and his team set out to rethink the yacht from the keel up for a new era of offshore competition.
Richards reflected on the programme’s progress: “Just making the start line of the 80th Rolex Sydney Hobart was an achievement, and even then we knew there was more to prepare for. What that race confirmed was the boat’s structural integrity in tough conditions. Seeing Palm Beach XI foiling now, with control and stability, validates our decision to breathe new life into this Supermaxi as we look ahead to the Newport to Bermuda Yacht Race.”
Pushing Beyond the Conventional
The development has brought together a world-class team, including designer Juan Kouyoumdjian of Juan K Naval Architects and builders McConaghy Boats, working closely with the yacht’s own engineering and sailing crew.
The newly fitted C-foils are engineered to generate dynamic lift, cut drag, increase effective righting moment and expand the yacht’s performance envelope on reaches and downwind legs. Integrating foiling technology at this size is rare, and represents a significant step in high-performance offshore design.
Performance Experienced Firsthand
A group of six American Palm Beach Motor Yachts owners were on board during the trials, witnessing the breakthrough firsthand. The experience gave them direct insight into the performance mindset driving the brand — where innovation is proven in real conditions, not just on paper.
A Living Platform for Innovation
With the C-foils validated and the design vision taking shape in the harbour breeze, Palm Beach XI is now looking forward. Her next major test will be the Newport to Bermuda Yacht Race in June, where she will compete fully race-ready, carrying the benefits of her recent development into offshore competition once more.
