M5
M5
78m Sailing Yacht | Vosper Thornycroft
The iconic M5 flybridge reborn with sleek carbon-fibre hardtops and new helm consoles, replacing the original steel-and-canvas biminis with a modern, integrated design.
The Brief
BMComposites was commissioned to design, engineer, build and install new carbon-fibre hardtop biminis for the flybridge of the iconic M5 sailing yacht.
The new structures would replace the traditional steel tube and canvas biminis with a modern, sleek design featuring integrated AV and lighting and even electrically operated slide-out sunroofs to protect the helmsman.
Also included in the upgrade was the manufacture and install of two new helm consoles and wheels, designed to complement the new, modernised look of the flybridge.
The Approach
BMComposites enlisted the services of renowned designer Adriana Monk who, by sympathetically working with the iconic lines of M5, created sleek, modern concepts for the helms and the three new hardtops – two attached fore and aft of the existing transverse arch and one covering the forward area of the huge flybridge.
BMComposites took the concept designs for the new components, through the engineering, tooling and manufacturing phases. Employing cutting-edge technology such as 3D scanning, 3D CAD modelling and CAD CAM tooling manufacture, BMComposites was able to produce the hardtops offsite for later transport to the yard in Italy.
This also ensured the seamless fit of the new components to the existing yacht structures during the rapid installation process.
The Result
BMComposites worked closely with the Captain, Designers, Engineers and sub-contractors to manage the entire process from initial briefing to installation and final commissioning. The result, which was featured in a Boat International special report, brought the 30-year-old iconic vessel into the 21st century with a modern look and feel.
