Palmer Johnson sells a second 48m SuperSport
Mike Kelsey Jr. confirms the sale saying, “it’s a great affirmation: before we’ve launched the first one, we’ve been able to sell another one. It shows enthusiasm in the market.”…
In a phone conversation with SuperyachtNews.com Palmer Johnson president Mike Kelsey Jr. confirmed that the yard had sold a second of its innovative all-carbon 48m SuperSport series yachts.
“We’re really happy that we signed a new contract for a second SuperSport 48 last week,” Kelsey Jr. said. “It’s a great affirmation: before we’ve launched the first one, we’ve been able to sell another one. That also shows enthusiasm in the market.”
For the all-carbon composite SuperSport series of yachts, which are offered at 35, 42, 48 and 72m sizes, Palmer Johnson is working with Norwegian carbon composite specialist manufacturers Brodrene AA. Kelsey Jr. confirmed the yard is no longer building on spec, but did say the timing for the new order was in line with its preparations to start a new project.
“The timing has worked out really well for us,” he said. “We were already working on engineering for subsequent boats with the hull and superstructure manufacturer so this new order is showing us that our pacing of projects is pretty good. There’s still a bit of engineering to do for the next project but lay-up will begin very shortly, and the hull will be with us here in Sturgeon Bay early next year.”
“Now we’re just really looking forward to seeing these magnificent things out on the water,” he said. “We’re looking forward to letting everybody experience what these boats are capable of doing.”
See the forthcoming SuperyachtDesign issue Q19 for an in-depth look at the design of the SuperSport series' unique trimaran hull form.
“We’re really happy that we signed a new contract for a second SuperSport 48 last week,” Kelsey Jr. said. “It’s a great affirmation: before we’ve launched the first one, we’ve been able to sell another one. That also shows enthusiasm in the market.”
For the all-carbon composite SuperSport series of yachts, which are offered at 35, 42, 48 and 72m sizes, Palmer Johnson is working with Norwegian carbon composite specialist manufacturers Brodrene AA. Kelsey Jr. confirmed the yard is no longer building on spec, but did say the timing for the new order was in line with its preparations to start a new project.
Render of the 48m SuperSport, the first of which is nearing launch in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and a second of which will start lay-up in Norway shortly.
“The timing has worked out really well for us,” he said. “We were already working on engineering for subsequent boats with the hull and superstructure manufacturer so this new order is showing us that our pacing of projects is pretty good. There’s still a bit of engineering to do for the next project but lay-up will begin very shortly, and the hull will be with us here in Sturgeon Bay early next year.”
The first SuperSport 48 in build at Palmer Johnson.
“Now is not a time for spec boats,” Kelsey Jr. added. "Prior to the crisis, like other builders, we used to have a line of projects going in the belief that before we launched we’d have a buyer; but this isn’t 2005 any more. That said, we think that the market is going to accept the SuperSport yachts at a pace that we’ll be able to keep up with and I believe we will start one other composite boat before we get an order.”“Now we’re just really looking forward to seeing these magnificent things out on the water,” he said. “We’re looking forward to letting everybody experience what these boats are capable of doing.”
The first SuperSport 48 during hull infusion at Brodrene AA in Norway.
See the forthcoming SuperyachtDesign issue Q19 for an in-depth look at the design of the SuperSport series' unique trimaran hull form.
The completed hull and superstructure leaving Norway for Palmer Johnson where fit-out is completed.
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