Van Gorkom Yacht Design is working to develop a new luxury 68-foot, contemporary styled, performance cruiser with long distance, blue water capabilities. The prerequisites for the Korora 68 are:

• Performance sailing and ease of handling
• Strong powering capabilities and maneuverability
• An esthetically pleasing yacht
• The ability to reduce draft to access shallower anchorages
• Modern onboard amenities
• The boat must be sea-kindly yet lightweight and strong enough to safely withstand the riggers of the open ocean

The hull form for the Korora 68 draws on VGYD’s long time experience in designing fast, seaworthy yachts, with an emphasis on maximizing the waterline and minimizing the weight and wetted surface. The bow has a relatively fine entry for a solid windward performance, and enough reserve buoyancy for good seakeeping characteristics and a comfortable dry ride. The rocker has a gentle, broad run aft for stable off-the-wind sailing.

To facilitate the user-friendly sailing criteria, the Korora 68 features a state-of-the-art, rotating, semi-free standing, carbon fiber mast; a fully battened mainsail which stows away in the “Park Avenue” style, carbon fiber boom; power winches; a self-tacking, non-overlapping jib on a hydraulic roller furling system; and a powerful, reaching, asymmetric gennaker set from the bow sprit in an ATN spinnaker sleeve.

The stylish lines of this design are complimented by its modern, efficient and roomy deck layout. The carefully sculptured combings and sleek central pilothouse add a real flare to the esthetics of this yacht as well as providing a practical working platform. The pilothouse interacts with a generous working cockpit, which is expansive enough for entertaining or just relaxing.

The twin helm stations have a commanding position for sailing and feature their own instrument consoles with a full array of performance and navigational electronics. The transom has a fold-out door that provides easy boarding access and also acts as a swim platform.

With a minimum draft of 7 feet, the unique lifting keel configuration allows the Korora 68 to ease into most anchorages. A hydraulically controlled foil and bulb deploys through a fixed low aspect ratio, ventral fin to a depth of 10.5 feet. This arrangement greatly enhances the boat’s cruise-ability. The twin high aspect ratio, carbon fiber, spade rudders complete this high performance appendage package.

The interior arrangement caters to the owner who places a premium on luxury and comfort. The owner’s stateroom is aft and has a king-size berth which can be converted into two sea berths whilst underway. In addition it features a flat-screen T.V. that rises up out of the cabinetry, an office or vanity area, plenty of stowage, and a day bunk. Adjoining the stateroom is a roomy head with a separate shower stall.

As you walk forward the gourmet galley is to starboard and is equipped to produce five-course feasts. The 360-degree view salon comfortably seats eight and contains a dry/wet bar; an entertainment center; and a well equipped navigation station, which also acts as an inside helm station. There are two comfortable guest cabins further forward, one with a double berth and its own head and separate shower. The other, also with a double berth, shares a head with the forepeak cabin. This second guest cabin could be configured with two single over/under bunks. The forepeak cabin has a vee berth that could be used for charter crew.

The Korora 68 is powered by two Yanmar 140hp diesels with Sail Drives giving the boat a cruising speed of ten knots. It also has a retractable bow thruster for maneuvering in tight places. There is a 20kw diesel generator on board to fulfill all the house power requirements. The engine room contains most of the ship’s systems plus a handy work bench and tool storage locker. Engine room access is from either the cockpit or a crawl port in the galley.

One possible option to be considered is the inclusion of a water ballast system into the yacht. Long used by short-handed racing boats, this additional, on-demand stability has a pronounced effect on a boat’s performance, particularly in heavy weather. The Korora 68 would utilize her port and starboard fresh water wing tanks, located under the salon, as transferable ballast and any consumed water would be readily replaced by means of the water maker.

The hull, deck and internal structure are fabricated from high modulus, marine grade aluminum. As large custom cruising yachts go, this material is proving to be the choice of many custom boat builders because of its strength, its workability, and its cost effectiveness. All the structures are engineered to ABS and ISO standards.

Now combine all the above features with handsome, interior, light weight, wood paneling, expert detailing and plush fabrics and you have a stylish and beautifully appointed, fast ”blue water” cruiser that is guaranteed to turn heads wherever she goes.