23.8m Explorer Motor Yacht Vanguard Proven in the Arctic
When it comes to choosing an explorer yacht, real-world performance in extreme conditions is the ultimate test. This summer, the 23.8m XPM Explorer Motor Yacht Vanguard faced one of the harshest proving grounds on Earth: the icy waters of Greenland.
Arctic Trial by Ice
Departing from Newfoundland, Vanguard made her way north to Greenland, ultimately reaching the shifting ice fields of Disko Bay. The voyage placed her systems and design under the toughest scrutiny - navigating through moving icebergs, battling unpredictable currents, and maintaining course in near-zero visibility.
It was exactly the environment Vanguard was engineered for, and she delivered with complete assurance.
A crew member described the challenge in vivid terms:
“These bergs are huge, very many thousands of tons each, and that's just the visible part. 7/8ths of each berg is below sea level. They move with the currents and are unaffected by wind or waves… Each day, millions of tons of Greenlandic ice cap slide seaward and are spewed into Disko Bay… To get to shelter, every vessel must run the gauntlet and cross a brutal moving ice wall, perhaps 5–10NM wide… Our little crew has experienced something they will never forget and will be the better for it.”
Performance Where It Matters Most
For buyers, this voyage offers more than an adventure story - it is verified proof of Vanguard’s capability. Her efficient aluminium expedition hull, extended fuel range, and advanced navigation systems allowed her to operate reliably in conditions where there is no margin for error.
From stabilisation in ice-laden seas to manoeuvrability in confined waters, Vanguard demonstrated absolute safety and performance in high latitudes.
Technical Highlights of Vanguard
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Hull & Build: Aluminium expedition hull, engineered for efficiency and strength in ice conditions
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Range & Endurance: Extended fuel capacity for genuine ocean-crossing independence
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Propulsion: Reliable, fuel-efficient main engine with full redundancy for critical operations
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Navigation: State-of-the-art electronic systems, ice pilot–approved for high latitudes
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Stability & Comfort: Advanced stabilisation in both open ocean and ice-strewn waters
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Redundancy: Backups across power, navigation, and communications for maximum offshore safety
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Voyage Proven: Successfully operated in the Arctic, navigating glaciers, ice walls, bergs, and fog
A Rare Opportunity
Vanguard is now offered for purchase through Owen Clarke Performance Yacht Brokerage, fresh from her Arctic trials that confirm her readiness for any transoceanic or high-latitude expedition.
For those seeking a yacht that blends rugged technical capability with comfort for extended voyages, she represents a rare opportunity to acquire a proven explorer - tested where it counts most.
