The build of superyachts like Maltese Falcon are founded in many things, ego included. These big projects are often also “pet projects” of their wealthy owners. That said, Maltese Falcon is very interesting as a project, and could have an some spin-off into mainstream commercial shipping.
In the 1970s the Dynarig that the ‘Falcon uses was dreamed up somewhere in Germany as a solution to the oil crisis. The problem with the modern sailboat rig is that it is too cluttered for a cargo ship, there are too many loose lines and sails - it takes too much skill and crew. The traditional square rig can contain the sails in easy to use panels but cannot go to weather. An efficiently trimmed traditional ship can barely make 60 degrees off the wind, where as the more modern sloop rigs can still sail at 30 degrees. The Dynarig improves on each of these by having square rigs on free-standing masts.
This is a simplification of how Dynarig system works: traditional square sails have fixed masts, and the yardarms (the horizontal spars) pivot on a bearing on the front of the mast. The Dynarig changes this by fixing the yardarms to the mast. The sails are trimmed by rotating the entire mast by using motors belowdecks. The sails roll in and out of the mast itself thereby automating the system, and eliminates the need for extra crew to go up and tie them down.
Why is this so amazing? It means that the sails are not constrained by rigging or by pivot bearings. It means that when the Maltese Falcon wants to sail to weather, it can trim it’s sails to point as high as any modern sailboat can. However, it has the majesty of the traditional square rig… and the uncluttered deck. It also means that Mr. Tom Perkins, owner of this sailboat, can effectively sail his 300′-odd boat himself.
Here is my point: the Maltese Falcon might be a glorious example of a superyacht in design and style. It could also be a picture of the future of wind assisted shipping. The Dynarig will not be found on the world’s container ships, because the deck space is needed for… containers. Supertankers, however, have plenty of deck space, and cost a fortune to run.
I am not saying this will happen, but it could. Many wealthy superyacht owners build their boats as a “project”, the world’s most expensive hobby. This would have been a remarkable project to develop. However, it would seem coincidental that the most remarkable development in sailing, with so many practical commercial spin-offs, was developed by famously successful venture capitalist Tom Perkins. If anyone could see value in a project, it would be him.
