VERTIGO is a 67.2-metre sailing ketch built by Alloy Yachts in New Zealand and, at the time of her launch in 2011, the largest sailing yacht ever constructed in the Southern Hemisphere. Her naval architecture and striking exterior lines are the work of Philippe Briand, who was briefed to create a true performance yacht capable of world cruising, while her interior was conceived by the celebrated French design house Christian Liaigre around the concept of feeling urban at sea. A refresh in 2018 and 2019 returned her to as-new condition, and she remains one of the most admired and adventurous sailing superyachts in the charter fleet.
Her design is as clever as it is beautiful. VERTIGO was among the first sailing yachts of her size to feature an almost vertical bow, which increases waterline length and improves performance under both sail and power. Her ketch rig, engineered with mast and rigging specialists Southern Spars, carries mainsail and mizzen with enlarged roaches rarely seen on yachts of this scale, exposing more sail area to the stronger winds aloft and generating greater driving force. In suitable conditions she is capable of exceeding twenty knots under sail, offering genuine sailing thrills alongside her luxury.
Accommodation is arranged for twelve guests across five cabins, all located on the lower deck and led by a full-beam master cabin. The remaining cabins comprise three doubles and a twin, with additional Pullman berths available, and the layout has been designed to be genuinely family-friendly, with a flexible configuration that suits children and mixed groups well. The interior palette of white lacquered surfaces, tinted walnut, sandblasted woods, brushed oak and leather creates a sporty yet refined environment, with custom furniture tailored throughout to a cohesive, contemporary aesthetic.
On deck, VERTIGO is built for entertaining and relaxation in equal measure. The aft deck features an oversized ten-person Jacuzzi with retractable sun pads, versatile bimini covers and glass screens for shelter from sun and wind, while an alfresco cinema screen turns warm evenings into open-air film nights. A gymnasium positioned amidships offers direct access to the sea, and the swim platform makes the most of her water-level interface for swimming and launching toys.
For activity, she carries an extensive and varied toy collection that includes sailing dinghies in a range of rigs for different skill levels, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, water skis, wakeboards, dive equipment and a selection of inflatables, along with mountain bikes for exploring ashore. Her tenders are headed by an eight-metre limousine tender with a fully enclosed, removable roof, supported by additional RIBs for watersports and transfers.
Beneath the surface, her engineering reflects the same attention to detail, with sail-handling systems, remote controls and hydraulic steering feedback that make her responsive and rewarding to sail, and carefully concealed equipment that preserves her sleek lines. Powered by twin Caterpillar engines when under power, she cruises comfortably and carries the range for ocean passages.
A crew of eleven ensures attentive, personal service and expert sailing throughout. VERTIGO typically spends her summers in the Mediterranean and her winters in the Caribbean, and for charterers who want the romance and performance of a genuine sailing superyacht without compromising on comfort, she offers a truly exceptional experience.
