34m custom Baltic sailing yacht launched and named Zemi

Finnish shipyard Baltic Yachts has celebrated the launch of its 33.5-metre sailing yacht, the Baltic 110 Custom, at a private ceremony attended by her new owners. 

Named after an ancient Caribbean deity, Zemi was lowered into the water at Baltic's Jakobstad shipyard, where she had arrived earlier that day following transportation from the construction site in Bosund. 

The yacht's completed metallic bronze hull was seen for the first time since having her deck installed, along with her teak deck that curves over the lip of the transom and low-profile coachroof. 

The Baltic 110 Custom, which began construction last year, was commissioned by a highly experienced family with around-the-world cruising in mind. Designed by Malcolm McKeon, the sloop-rigged sailing yacht will build on the partnership between the studio and the shipyard that began with the delivery of the award-winning 34-metre Liara in 2019.

Among her many distinctive features, Zemi's main cockpit can be converted into a large sun lounging area with added protection by a combined fold-down spray hood and full-length removable bimini. 

Details of her fold-out transom and bathing platform, which lead into a stern garage for a Williams tender, were also revealed by the yard, including McKeon's trademark wrap-over teak decking continuing onto the transom. 

Zemi offers multiple headsail options for various weather conditions, comprising a fixed furling J1 and J2, a detachable storm jib stay, a furling Code sail tacked forward of the J1 and a variety of A sails set off the fixed bowsprit, which has been built into the hull moulding. 

Other performance-oriented measures include twin rudders and a telescopic lifting keel with a 28-tonne bulb, which can reduce draught from six metres to 3.95 metres. The yacht will also be the third to feature Baltic's electric propulsion system and will also be equipped with low-emission generators designed to meet the IMO Tier 3 emissions regulations. 

Henry Hawkins, vice president of Baltic Yachts said there has been a "surge in demand" for clients seeking electric propulsion and other environmentally conscious solutions. "There’s a clear trend developing in support of low emissions yachting and we are excited to be building another yacht featuring the latest technology which supports a cleaner, greener environment.”

In addition to its eco-credentials,  the yacht will run a high-voltage electrical system that will allow the vessel to operate in "silent mode" for long periods of time. Meanwhile, interior design was completed by Andreas Martin-Löf as his first yacht project and features warm walnut and limestone veneers bonded to lightweight honeycomb structures. 

“Whenever we launch a yacht to join the Baltic family, it’s fair to say the thoughts of many members of our staff sail away with her, celebrating the conclusion of another unique build and wishing her and her owner fantastic sailing,” said Baltic Yachts executive vice president Henry Hawkins.

Following trials off Jakobstad this summer, Zemi is expected for delivery in July 2023, where she will be heading north to Iceland before turning her bows south towards Scotland. She will then head for the Canaries, followed by an Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean where she intends to compete in the St Barths Bucket in 2024. 

Following the ceremony, preparations were made for the stepping of her Southern Spars mast.

July will also see the delivery of another high-performance, "ultra-lightweight" Baltic 111 Custom sailing yacht that was commissioned in early 2021.