Van Lent 102 meter (334 ft)

Does anyone know if those twin, tubular projections toward the aft end are rough-outs for azipods?

I think they are rudder ports because you can see the propeller channels.

No, more thank likely for conventional rudder posts.

So, azipods are found on flat-bottomed hulls? These channels are for the purpose of cavitation, right? Traditional screws work better with these channels, I take it?

Right on the money! Pod drives require open water flow because they rotate and should not be obstracted, while as you mentioned for the purpose of cavitation propellers require running channels to do their magic.

Thank you! I felt so good from that affirmation, I almost high-fived myself. However, I quickly realized it would deprecate what little dignity I have left.

Pictures

I took some picture of the new 102 meter Feadship.

It looks so big!!!

I really don't know how they are going to finish it at this location.

They have different locations.
Feadship bought a location a while ago in Makkum in the north of Holland for the big ones. That's why i am surprised that they are building this one at a location which is very difficult to reach for yachts this size through small rivers and canals.
The yard in Makkum is able to handle yachts up to 120 meters, that would be a more logical location for this big boy.

This discussion on size has stimulated yet another question in my mind: it seems as though with length, the cost of a yacht is not linear, but rather it rises more quickly, which I assume is a function of volume; therefore, is there a formula for maximum volume with respect to length in terms of stability/seaworthiness, etc.?

Strange when you think about it, this yacht has the same width as a yacht half his size.