When Dutch builder Royal Huisman delivered Sea Eagle, it noted that the schooner was its longest yacht yet, the ninth largest sailing yacht in service and the world's second-largest all-aluminium sailing yacht. It wasn't that long ago that building such a large bluewater sailing yacht solely in aluminium would have raised many an eyebrow. But nearly 60 years of aluminium yacht-building experience and the ability to create limitless virtual models for computer testing led to an optimal Alustar hull structure for the perfect fast passagemaker.

Sea Eagle – she carried the Roman numeral II in her name when launched in 2020 – promptly left northern Europe for the Mediterranean and then the Pacific, beginning the planned circumnavigation for her commissioning owner, Taiwanese owner Dr Samuel Yin. He had developed the brief for this boat as he cruised far and wide on his first Royal Huisman, a 43-metre by the same name. That Sea Eagle, now Ravenger, was a performance sloop. For his next yacht, he sought more comfort, more amenities for guests and crew, and more range so he could see as much of the world as possible under sail.

Although he was originally tempted to follow the majestic look of another Royal Huisman, Athena, the modern aesthetic of a plumb bow and zen-like simplicity won out. He referred to his dream as, "a true sailor's yacht – practical, powerful and easy to manage". The result is nearly twice the length and five times the volume of her predecessor. Sea Eagle's long waterline and powerful Panamax schooner rig certainly can deliver distance, as she comfortably ticks 21.5 knots in a moderate breeze.

As for ease of management, despite a massive sail area (2,580 square metres upwind), all three mainsails can easily be hoisted or lowered at once – taking no more time than required for a sloop half the size. She can add another 972 square metres of sail area for offwind sailing. And off soundings, too, apparently, as the yacht has logged more than 45,000 nautical miles to date.

Dykstra Naval Architects reviewed existing tank test results to figure out the optimal waterline length between the plumb bow and full transom, and the transition from a U-shape forward to flatter sections aft. Next, computer simulations, including CFD and scale model testing, minimised wetted surface drag of the fin keel. Models produced from this data were tested at Delft University of Technology's towing tank.

The result predicted excellent handling, seakeeping and faster crossings in comfort. "Due to the higher stability from spreading the sail area across three masts and her six-metre draught, the yacht sails with less heel, greatly improving the comfort on board," says Erik Wassen of Dykstra Naval Architects.

The relatively simple rig and sailplan were refined by testing at the Wolfson Unit wind tunnel. It is managed by Rondal's Integrated Sail Handling System, which interfaces spars, rigging, 34 winches and sailing hardware. The largest winches – for the yankee, staysail sheets and mizzen sheet runners – are capable of 18 tonnes pulling load. Although the total sail area is large, none of the sails is larger than any sail on a 60-metre sloop or ketch, so it's not unknown territory.

The three carbon-fibre masts, each a little taller from bow to stern, have a maximum air draught of 61 metres to negotiate the Panama Canal. Like all Rondal carbon masts, Sea Eagle's sticks are one piece. High modulus carbon fibres run continuously from masthead to heel. Carbo-Link standing rod rigging keeps it all in place. The carbon-fibre rollerfurling booms, captive reel and drum winches and flush deck hatches were also from Rondal.

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