Summary. YTEK Yeni Teknoloji designed a hydraulic beach club shell door and a master-cabin balcony for a 32 m motor yacht based in Istanbul, and directed their manufacture, installation and RINA certification. The balcony was added to a hull that had none in its original design. Both systems were delivered in 2022 and are in service.
Technical summary
| Beach club shell door | Master-cabin balcony | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 3 m wide × 2.7 m long | 2.2 m wide × 2.4 m long |
| Weight | 750 kg | 450 kg |
| Actuation | 2 × 120° rotary actuators | 2 × 90° rotary actuators |
| Closed-position locking | 8 hydraulic + 2 manual locks | 7 hydraulic + 2 manual locks |
| Cycle time | 40 s, adjustable | 40 s, adjustable |
Requirement
The owner required a beach club at the stern and a private balcony in the master cabin. The master cabin had no balcony in the yacht's original design, so an opening had to be created in the starboard side of the hull in cooperation with the yacht builder. Both doors had to be built in aluminium at the owner's request, close securely for navigation and allow the yacht to remain operational in the event of a system failure.
Engineering solution
- Hull integration: the balcony was added by cutting a section of the starboard hull side, engineered together with the yacht builder so the structure and hull line were preserved.
- Rotary actuator drive: two 120° rotary actuators on the beach club and two 90° rotary actuators on the balcony, each rated at 7,100 Nm at 200 bar.
- Stainless steel locking: hydraulic lock cylinders in stainless steel for long service life, 8 on the beach club and 7 on the balcony, supplemented by 2 manual locks on each door.
- Single power unit: one hydraulic power unit with a 60 l tank drives both systems, with local and remote control.
- Emergency closing: a hand valve and a DC motor on the HPU, together with the manual locks, allow both doors to be closed and secured after a malfunction, so the yacht's movement is not affected.
Scope of work
YTEK designed the beach club and balcony systems and directed their manufacture, installation on the yacht and RINA certification.
System operation
On command, the rotary actuators open the beach club shell door through 120° and the balcony through 90°. Each door opens or closes in 40 seconds; the speed of both can be adjusted to the owner's preference. In the closed position the hydraulic locks secure each door, and the manual locks provide an additional mechanical lock.
Outcome
Delivered in 2022 and in service. The yacht gained a beach club at the waterline and a private balcony in a master cabin that originally had none, both certified by RINA.
Frequently asked questions
Can a balcony be added to a yacht that was not designed with one?
Yes. On this 32 m yacht, the balcony was added by cutting the starboard hull side in cooperation with the yacht builder.
What happens if the hydraulic system fails?
A hand valve and a DC motor on the hydraulic power unit, together with manual locks, allow the doors to be closed and secured so the yacht can continue under way.
Which drive is used?
Rotary actuators rated at 7,100 Nm at 200 bar, supplied by a single hydraulic power unit with a 60 l tank.