Xplorer Yachts
By: Paul Madden
Language: en
Categories: Technology, Society, Culture, Places, Travel
Xplorer Yachts’ “Exploring the Oceans” podcast brings attention and exposure to expedition yachting technologies and innovations that designers, owners, builders and key suppliers are bringing to this unique yachting sector - now and in the foreseeable future. With an overall focus on expedition and explorer yachting, it also offers a window to extraordinary vessels - commercial, government and private, that you won't see on the glitzy yachting sites.A life-long sailor, host Paul Madden has worked with a number of shipyards, builders and designers on both sides of the Atlantic. He is actively involved in bringing new technologies and ideas to his...
Episodes
Conversation with Designer Ken Freivokh - 88m 289ft MALTESE FALCON + 107m 350 ft BLACK PEARL
Jan 10, 2026Maltese Falcon is a full-rigged ship using DynaRig technology, which was built by Perini Navi in Tuzla, İstanbul, and commissioned by her first owner, Tom Perkins. It is one of the world's most complex and largest sailing yachts at 88 m (289 ft), similar in size to the Athena and Eos. Sail plan: self-standing three-mast square rigg... Height: 58.20 m (191 ft) Yacht design: Dykstra Naval Architects Builder: Perini Navi, Tuzla, İstanbul Black Pearl is a sailing yacht launched in 2016, which is 106.7 meters (350.1 ft) in length. It has three DynaRig masts supporting a sail area of 2,900 square meters (31,215 sq ft). The yacht was know...
Duration: 00:28:40The Definitive History of Expedition Yachting
Jan 09, 2026This series looks at the first expeditions and the vessels chosen by Magellan, Darwin and Shackleton; examining Mission, Vessel and Outcome. Part 1 takes us from the 1500's to the late 20th Century and the advent of the Explorer Yachtsman and the first generation of converted commercial and research ships that became expedition yachts.
Duration: 00:09:31Part 2 of Ulstein StandBy Vessel 719-R Technical Tour in Norway
Jan 08, 2026See Matterport 3D of bridge and engine room here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=jHXF2cpt4hu
Main Description Survivor Class........FSV Class ‘A’ ERRV
Year Built/Converted..............1992/2014
Place of Build............Brattvaag, Norway
Principal Dimensions Length o.a...........63.00m Length Capacities Freshwater...................329m3
Cargo Deck Area..........................260m2
Deck Cargo...........................350 tonne
Cargo Pumps Machinery and Propulsion
Main Engines.....................2 x 1840 kw Total.....3680 kw
Main Propulsion Type.....Bergen Diesel
Propellers..............2 x CPP
Azimuth Thruster.............1 x 736 kw
Emergency Gene...
Duration: 00:07:18Xplorer Yachts Podcast: Espen discusses ECO, OCTOPUS, REV and others, plus heliskiing on CLOUDBREAK.
Jan 07, 2026According to bolidt.com: "With an average of at least three to four 63 meter + sophisticated yachts in his name on a yearly basis, Espen Oeino is a legend in the world of yacht design. Who is this icon? For us personally, Espen Oeino is a bit of a secret legend. Most yacht designers have published biographies online stating their vision and proudly presenting their portfolio of stunning yachts. Espen Oeino is not one of them! Visit Espen Oeino International’s website online and the only information you will get are contact details. The more reason to find out who th...
Duration: 00:29:41World's First Wind-Powered Hybrid Expedition Xplorer Yacht.
Jan 04, 2026Xplorer Yachts™ is building the first wind-powered hybrid expedition yacht. This vessel is based upon an existing, ocean-proven wind-powered commercial vessel that has already achieved 30% fuel savings on Trans-Atlantic passages. It's class-approved OceanWing sail system is the top performing sail system currently being implemented on commercial ships. This hull platform can be built from 80m to 120m and be fitted out for 12-36 guests with a completely customized interior. Our time-tested business model utilizes commercial shipyards for the hull and systems build, while the interior fabrication and fit-out will take place in a yacht finishing facility.
Our we...
Duration: 00:09:47Harnessing the Wind - the New Technologies available for wind propulsion in Expedition Yachts
Jan 03, 2026The International Maritime Organization has mandated that large ocean-going ships must cut their carbon emissions by 40% by the year 2030. As a result, the shipping industry is embracing wind-propulsion as the most viable near-term solution. They, along with government agencies, are financing the R&D and manufacturing of wind-propulsion solutions. Wind-assisted commercial shipping uses modern technologies like rotor sails, rigid wings (Wind Wings), and suction wings to harness wind power, significantly cutting fuel use and emissions (5-50%) by supplementing engine power, driven by strict regulations and economic benefits, with systems like Anemoi's rotor sails and Airseas' Seawings already deployed on...
Duration: 00:09:14Next Generation wind-powered long-rage GLOBAL EXPEDITION YACHTS
Jan 02, 2026Growing up sailing with my dad, he always referred to motor-boats as 'stink-pots'. Motor-boaters, I am told, refer to sailors as 'rag-baggers' due to their proclivity to bag their sails at the end of the day, often before even having cocktails(!) However, the time has come for everyone to take wind-power seriously, as perhaps the most viable solution for lessening carbon emissions of all ocean-going vessels, private and commercial. Wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) technologies have gained significant attention in the shipping industry as a means of reducing fuel consumption and emissions. These technologies harness the power of wind to...
Duration: 00:06:42Hydro-Generation Solutions for Long-Range Global Expedition Yachts
Dec 31, 2025Since our wind-assisted expedition yacht will have the ability to operate solely with sail power in certain condition, which will deliver speeds in the 8-14 knot range; we also want to have the ability to generate electricity. The goal is to carry the hotel load under sail, and ideally, also put some 'juice' back into our batteries. We have not yet decided on a system for this, but we expect to settle on a plan in the next 2 months.
More information at XplorerYachts.com
Duration: 00:04:14Technical Tour of legendary 172' ex-NOAA Research ship
Dec 30, 2025Sadly, this vessel went to scrappers. U.S. - BUILT FOR U.S. Navy and NOAA, MNG Flattery is one of the finest ocean-going research ships in the world. The US Government built these ship's to the highest possible standards. ex NOAA David Starr Jordan, has been a work horse for NOAA and science. So far she has spent an estimated 8,949 days at sea and sailed more than 1.3 million miles. Researchers aboard the vessel measured and weighed 1,000 sea turtles, took 27,000 photographs using remotely operated vehicles (ROVS), and conducted 27,000 oceanographic sampling casts, 22,000 plankton tows and 4,700 fish trawls. The ship has...
Duration: 00:08:22Serious Ice-Class Search & Rescue Vessel for Conversion
Dec 29, 2025The 221' SNAPPER was built in Canada as a Lloyds Class 1 Search & Rescue vessel for Arctic Duty. With 7,200 hp she can ram through a meter of ice. She has a cruising endurance of more than 30 days with 39 persons on board. Having been refitted for seismic research, she now features a humongous garage/hangar which has a commercial heli-deck for a Bell 212 or Sikorsky. Her fuel capacity of 222,000 gallons assures her of an unmatched global cruising range. With a 46 ft beam her hull can easily be lengthened and still maintain her stability. This is a unique Expedition Yacht conversion opportunity.<...
Duration: 00:05:3263m /206ft Technical Tour of Norwegian Stand-By vessel on North Sea Duty
Dec 28, 2025See Matterport 3D of bridge and engine room here: https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=jHXF2cpt4hu
Main Description Survivor Class........FSV Class ‘A’ ERRV
Year Built/Converted..............1992/2014
Place of Build............Brattvaag, Norway
Principal Dimensions Length o.a...................63.00m
Capacities
Freshwater.................................329m3
Cargo Deck Area..........................260m2
Deck Cargo...........................350 tonne
Cargo Pumps Machinery and Propulsion
Main Engines......2 x 1840 kw Total......3680 kw
Main Propulsion Type.....Bergen Diesel Propellers.....2 x CPP Azimuth Thruster.................1 x 736 kw
Emergency Generator..........1 x 30...
Duration: 00:10:02Wealthy Americans Built the Largest Yachts in the World. Part 2 of The History of Expedition Yachts
Dec 26, 2025In Part 2 of the series, Paul Madden shows how 1930 and 1931 saw more than a half-mile of new Expedition Yachts built by the world's wealthiest people at a cost in excess of $2 billion. Yachts ranging in size to over 400 ft, with steam-turbine electric propulsion delivering 20-knot speed; they offered luxurious accommodations coupled with global range and ocean-crossing capabilities. A generation of uber-wealthy yachtsmen who had naval experience from WWI and the ability to carry out scientific expeditions globally. Almost all of these vessels became warships in WWII and converted easily into gunships and fast U-Boat hunters. See more of the...
Duration: 00:11:43Best Conversions for the Expedition Mission
Dec 23, 2025Paul Madden takes a step back to review what the expedition yacht mission is, and he examines which commercial vessels are most sought after for conversion to become global expedition yacht.
Duration: 00:12:02Converting an OSV into an Expedition Yacht
Dec 22, 2025Paul Madden returns to Louisiana to delve more deeply into the conversion of OSV vessels into expedition yachts. He looks at 220 ft to 260 ft offshore supply vessels (OSV's) suitable for conversion into global expedition yacht.
Duration: 00:12:34207 ft Search & Rescue Ship is being Converted into Expedition Yacht Yacht
Dec 21, 2025This yacht is currently finishing conversion. See upcoming tech tour.
Duration: 00:00:37DOOMSDAY YACHTS vs BUNKERS with Paul Madden at Xplorer Yachts (Extended Version)
Dec 19, 2025The Doomsday Yacht offers: - Limitless Global Range from abundant and free Wind Energy - Generates electricity under sail - Unlimited Fresh Water with desalinisation and rain catch - Unlimited Food from the Sea - Extraordinary Defense Options - above and below water - can earn up to $1 million a week in charter when not saving lives We are the world leaders in wind-assisted global expedition yachts and the conversion of rugged, ocean-proven commercial vessels into global expedition yachts. We handle a project from 'the idea' and 'the mission', through design to delivery and setting up ongoing crewing and...
Duration: 00:20:36Paul Madden discusses expedition yacht conversions with Chuck Levert of Edison Chouest at TampaShip
Dec 17, 2025The Chouest family builds, owns and operates a global fleet of commercial ships and vessels. They also own Westport Yachts and the American Shipyard in Stuart, Fl. Chuck Levert is their yacht specialist who arranges for megayacht re-fits and also conversions of offshore vessels into expedition yachts at the Tampa facility. Paul Madden explores this fascinating, but little known, new entrant into the megayacht marketplace. Links: Tampa Bay Shipyard: http://www.tampabayship.com/ Expedition Yacht Conversion website: https://XplorerYachts,com The Yacht Channel is presented by Paul Madden who is a former shipyard representative for Blohm+Voss, CRN and...
Duration: 00:17:48Wind-Powered Expedition Yacht Can Operate with Zero Emissions while Generating Electricity
Dec 14, 2025Ocean Xplorer Wind-Powered Multi-Purpose Global Expedition Yacht Optimized Hull with Next Gen Low-emission to No-emission Integrated Hybrid Systems. Over 3,000 HP of equivalent engine power generated by a single standard 363 m² Oceanwing sail (33m high x 11m wide) Vastly Lower CO₂ emissions, and lower operating/engine costs Wingsail’s geometry (11m wide) offers a natural roll damping effect Fully electrical and low-maintenance, with an expected lifespan of 25 years Only 2.5 Sq M footprint for each sail Reduced Noise & Vibration - above and below waterline Generates positive thrust starting at 5° apparent wind angle OceanWings Software & Data Platform optimizes performance * Can be operated safely...
Duration: 00:04:01Wind is Back! World's First Wind-Assisted Diesel-Electric Expedition Yacht
Dec 13, 2025Xplorer Yachts™ is building the first wind-assisted diesel-electric hybrid expedition yacht. This vessel is based upon an existing, ocean-proven wind-assisted commercial vessel that has already achieved 30% fuel savings on Trans-Atlantic passages. It's class-approved OceanWing sail system is the top performing sail system currently being implemented on commercial ships. This hull platform can be built from 95m to 105m / 295 ft to 345 ft and be fitted out for 12-36 guests with a completely customized interior. Our time-tested business model utilizes commercial shipyards for the hull and systems build, while the interior fabrication and fit-out will take place in a yacht finishing fa...
Duration: 00:02:59Built during the Cold War, this 323' NOAA research ship appeared to have covert mission capabilities
Dec 12, 2025Rumors swirl around the idea that this vessel was built at the height of the Cold War and its real mission was tracking Soviet Submarines. From Wikipedia: USC&GS Oceanographer (OSS 01) was commissioned as an "ocean survey ship" (OSS) with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., on 13 July 1966[1] under the command of Captain Arthur L. Wardwell, USESSA.[2] With her home port at Seattle, Washington,[2] she was the second Coast and Geodetic Survey ship of the name, and served as flagship of the Survey's fleet. When the Coast and Geodetic...
Duration: 00:08:42The Bow Wars: X-Bow vs. Axe Bow
Dec 12, 2025The Military, Commercial and Yacht Builders are all at work to create the perfect bow shape. Millions of dollars have been spent and several unique and innovative solutions have emerged. Damen Group in The Netherlands and Ulstein in Norway are at the forefront and both companies have very convincing arguments about why their bow is best. Paul Madden considers these new technologies, which may not be new at all, given the bow designs developed by the military more than a hundred years ago... Commercial vessels must navigate in all seas, in all weather conditions, year-round. They require proven systems...
Duration: 00:09:52