UK boatbuilder Archipelago Yachts has signed the design contract for a second Archipelago 80 explorer yacht, marking the next stage in the development of its 80ft series.
The new vessel is based on the same Chartwell Marine hull form as the first Archipelago 80, but will incorporate a revised interior arrangement and several additional onboard features.
Design and engineering work will take place at the company’s new Isle of Wight shipyard in Newport. The facility is Archipelago Yachts’ first wholly controlled production site. The shipyard has an Archipelago 47 and Archipelago 40 currently in build, with both scheduled for launch toward the end of summer 2026.
Interior design work to move in house at Archipelago
For the first time, Archipelago Yachts will undertake interior design work in-house. Among the planned additions are a helipad, a gym and sauna, a larger galley intended for extended cruising and expanded indoor and outdoor dining spaces. The yacht will accommodate up to 16 guests, with layouts configured to suit individual owner requirements.
The vessel will retain the hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system featured on the original Archipelago 80, alongside its long-range cruising capability and shallow-draft design.
Archipelago’s Isle of Wight shipyard now fully operational
“Securing the design contract for our second Archipelago 80 is an exciting moment for the business and a clear reflection of the demand we’re seeing for this platform,” says Stephen Weatherley, CEO of Archipelago Yachts. “Bringing the interior design in-house allows us to push the boundaries even further, creating a vessel that is not only technically exceptional but deeply personal to each owner.
“With our new Isle of Wight shipyard now fully operational, we have the capability, the space and the team to deliver this next 80 to an even higher standard. It represents another step in our mission to redefine what a sub-24m explorer yacht can be.”
The second Archipelago 80 is now entering the detailed design phase. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027.
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