Sunreef Yachts, one of the world’s leading designers and manufacturers of luxury multihulls and superyachts, has announced an eco-driven move away from traditional teak decking.
Seeking a more sustainable future in yacht building, the company’s Chief Technical Officer and Co-Founder, Nicolas Lapp, explained: “As a shipyard, we’ve reached a point where continuing with teak no longer aligns with our values or vision. We’ve decided to move forward with more sustainable, yet still natural, alternatives. Our goal is to provide yacht owners with materials that look and feel just as luxurious, while significantly reducing the environmental toll. It’s a direction we believe the entire industry should begin to take seriously.”
He added that, following extensive research and development work, Sunreef selected two wood-based and one non-wood solution that now form part of its portfolio. And these options not only match the visual appeal of teak but, in some cases, surpass it in performance. For example, one thermally modified wood reduces surface heat by 16% and offers over 25% better thermal insulation.
The high-quality alternatives meet both aesthetic and environmental standards, as well as being ‘a game-changer’ in terms of maintenance. And feedback from both sailing and motor yacht owners has been positive.
For some models, such as the high-performance hybrid catamaran, the ULTIMA 55, aesthetics and weight were key priorities, so Nicolas explained that a premium synthetic solution had been achieved, which still addresses the sustainability issue.
Please visit sunreef-yachts.com for more information.