Proteksan Turquoise 55.4mt Turquoise

For owners and designers, the space between the personal and the coldly impersonal is wide and uncertain, but the most successful find a decorative approach that makes a charter yacht feel like an ultra-luxury home-on-sea – and not someone else’s. When the owner of the 55.4 metre superyacht Turquoise bought the 2011-built boat in december last year, the interior was in good nick, but, as one yacht designer put it, “extremely plain”. Comments from charter guests backed this up. “A bit ordinary,” was the general consensus, not the kind of feedback any self-respecting superyacht owner wants to be hearing about his pride and joy, especially when it’s up for hire in an ever more competitive luxury charter yacht market. Turquoise’s Captain Ben Craig-Cameron recalls diplomatically that while the boat had the bones of a great charter yacht, the interior was “definitely not to the owner’s taste”. “But,” he adds, “I think he saw an opportunity.”

The refit plan followed an interior design concept that improved the use of rooms and deck space, creating a more glamorous, yet thoroughly accommodating atmosphere. An outdoor cinema was installed, furniture was repositioned in the saloons to create more intimacy and wonderful dining spaces were created on each deck. “Every good superyacht revolves around eating and drinking,” says the owner. “To this end we built a strong kitchen team and ensured that dining could take place across all three decks. Theatre has been created with the different sets of glassware and crockery and the interiors team try to make each meal on board a memorable experience.”

Having owned luxury hotels and chartered widely, including a 56-metre Perini Navi, the owner had the experience and skills to revamp Turquoise into a top-notch charter boat. “I had experienced time on the original Turquoise (now Double Trouble) and had chartered a sistership to Turquoise, Talisman Maiton (ex-Talisman). I liked the exterior look of the yacht and the layout. The Ed Dubois naval pedigree added weight. She was also extremely quiet and fuel efficient.” The brief was for “seven star service” – enhancing the attractive outdoor spaces and creating a warm and comfortable interior that would work for families as well. “Timeless elegance so that the yacht would not date overnight,” says the owner.

Steel-hulled with an aluminium superstructure, Turquoise was built in 2011 by Proteksan Turquoise in Turkey, 17 years after the first Turquoise was launched for the same client. She was designed by Ed Dubois and had the bones of a great charter yacht with a functional, service-oriented layout. The basic structure was kept, but the treatment changed. In the main saloon, for example, a storage unit by the aft doors grew into an art deco-influenced bar, while further forward an arrangement of coffee tables and footstools created greater intimacy, as well as a visual treat.

With her long, sharp bow and extravagantly swept back radar arch, she perhaps gives the impression of boasting a higher top speed than the 17 knots she’ll do flat out. Turquoise’s external looks are a mix of the purposeful and the luxurious, the working deck space at the bow giving way amidships to acres of private deck space over three levels. An al fresco beach club is found on the top deck, enclosed by solid bulwarks for privacy. The original owner specified a large lazarette that was kept free of tenders and toys, reserved for only diving equipment. Refitted with charter in mind, it is now stuffed with water toys.

“It’s a modern interpretation of art deco,” says Jonny Horsfield of H2 Yacht Design, the British design firm that was brought in to reimagine the on board lifestyle. “We wanted to introduce a lot more contrast, so you have dark macassar wood in high-gloss varnish – really rich and sexy – and stainless steel, which highlights it. There are beiges, whites and greys and only little bits of colour here and there, for example in the main saloon with that petrol blue.” Velvet is used in main saloon upholstery, while suede treated to mimic shagreen covers walls in the owner’s suite. Cream leather panels and mirrors are common throughout, creating a feeling of richness and depth. In terms of layout, a small but important feature is the existence of a main deck VIP suite, guarding against the possibility of any unsightly squabble over the master cabin by the two primary charterers.

The exterior decks have also been reconfigured. The sun deck, which was laid out for sunbathing alone with a large spa pool and sunpads, now features a stylish bar, barbecue and dining area, becoming a far more accommodating place to while away the afternoon at anchor. Snazzy touches include the light colour scheme and the bronze splashes in the glass bar top that shimmer in the sun – typical of the level of detail and thought to be found throughout this redesign.

Captain Ben Craig-Cameron joins the owner in complimenting Turquoise on her quietness and fuel economy. “We can be doing 15 knots, and burning 290 litres an hour, whereas with previous yachts I’ve been on, we’ve been doing 14 to 12 knots, burning about 800 litres an hour,” he says. Craig-Cameron also praises the engine room and wheelhouse layout.

Superyacht Turquoise specs


LOA: 55.4m
Beam: 9.3m
Draught: 3.2m
Displacement: 631 tonnes
Engines: 2 x CAT 3512B at 1,500hp each
Speed (max/cruise): 17 knots/14 knots
Range @ 12 knots: 5,500nm
Owner and guests: 12
Crew: 13
Classification: LR 100 – A1 – SSC – Yacht Mono, G6, LMC, UMS, MCA LY2 compliant
Builder/year: Proteksan Turquoise/2011


Proteksan Turquoise

( www.proteksan-turquoise.com )

Baglietto 46mt

In 2012, the Baglietto yard faced extinction until entrepreneur Beniamino Gavio stepped in with a €20 million plan of investment for the marque’s yard in La Spezia. Now, in 2014, the first of the new breed of displacement motor yacht has emerged, and it’s a stunner – and a fitting marker for the yard’s 160th year.

Sleek good looks, a modern line to her exterior and a contemporary take on her interior make this 46 metre a superyacht to take note of. She carries a family resemblance to Baglietto launches of yore, yet is distinctly new – both elements thanks largely to the work of superyacht designer Francesco Paszkowski, whose design link with Baglietto stretches all the way back to 1991. A widebody design forward gives a generous master suite, while spaces have been reconfigured for modern living – the tenders and toys are carried on the foredeck allowing for a large beach club in the stern, and the upper saloon is a dedicated formal dining area, leaving the saloon on the main deck clearly defined as a relaxation zone.

“The client is the centre of our business, not a hull number,” says Gavio, and although this particular 46 metre is a spec build, the yard has gone out of its way to show what it is capable of in terms of both design and finish. Further, she is a cleverly tweaked version of a displacement design that was originally conceived seven years ago, under the old management of the yard. “The big challenge was to design a new yet recognisable Baglietto,” says Paszkowski. “For the 46 metre, we looked for a style that could be appreciated with minimal revisions. There were some things we had to do, for example a beach club wasn’t even thought of in 2008. Today you must have one, so we had to move tender stowage to the foredeck and change the layout of the flybridge.”

With a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, the Baglietto 46 is in many ways a conventional build. Structurally she has been well conceived, with self-supporting deck overhangs meaning the aft deck areas are blissfully free of pillars or other vertical obstructions. The widebody design forward means that 498 gross tons of volume has been squeezed into a lithe outer body.

While several design cues remain from Bagliettos past – for example, the main deck windows in the hull forward and the general aspect of her profile – new elements have been added to take the design into the future. Forward raked bridge windows and a new transom design clearly differentiate her from her older sisters. “The yacht features a balance of soft and angular lines,” Paszkowski enthuses. “Just look at the triangular cutaways in the bulwark below the upper deck, sliding like the fins of a shark, or the chamfering of her aft end. She also features more round shapes as in the dropped bulwarks of the upper deck.”

Paszkowski worked with Margherita Casprini to refine the interior style, which as a spec build had to appeal to the widest possible range of clients while also demonstrating the quality that the yard is able to deliver. The result combines subtle luxury with a clean palette and a welcome lack of fuss. “The decoration is quite neutral,” says Paszkowski, “yet it includes many details to ensure a luxurious ambiance with real character and a lot of Italian custom furniture.” White and dark brown leather with visible stitches, glossy white lacquered panels, mirrors – which enhance the feeling of height inside – and fabric ceiling panels provide a sober yet contemporary feel. While the layout is fairly conventional – generous, full beam master forward on the main deck, four guest cabins below – there has been a reimagining of how to use each space that has resulted in a formal dining room on the upper deck and a dedicated saloon on the main deck. In addition, steps from the main saloon lead to the 25 square metre beach club, which can also take a sauna/steam room.

A large aft main deck, generous upper aft deck with large alfresco dining table, and an expansive sundeck partially shaded by the hardtop means there is ample outdoor space for socialising or moments of quiet privacy. The beach club in the stern means the foredeck is used for tender stowage, but the outdoor living is no less impressive for that. The sundeck does not have a spa pool, although the plumbing was installed in case her future owner wants to put one up there.

Running with two Caterpillar 3512B engines, expected top speed is 17.5 knots with a cruise speed of 15 knots and a projected transatlantic range of 4,500nm at 12 knots. The TEAMItalia five-screen bridge is all business, and those forward raked bridge windows mean reflections are kept to a minimum at night.

Baglietto 46m superyacht specs
LOA: 46.3m
Beam: 9.5m
Draught: 2.95m
Displacement: 400t
Engines: 2 x Caterpillar 3512B DITA SWAC
Speed (max/cruise): 17.5 knots/15 knots
Range @ 12 knots: 4,500nm
Owner and guests: 12
Crew: 9
Classification: ABS
Builder/Year: Baglietto/2014

Baglietto

( http://www.baglietto.com )

JL Thornycroft 65mt Shemara

The 65-metre superyacht Shemara has been successfully relaunched after a three-year, one million man-hour rebuild project. Originally launched by JL Thornycroft in the UK in 1938, the classic motor yacht Shemara led a colourful life in the public spotlight under her original owners, industrialist Sir Bernard Docker and his wife Lady Norah. Sold at the end of the 1960s, her second owner cruised her for a short period before berthing her in Lowestoft, UK, where she remained largely forgotten for the better part of three decades. Her third owner went to see her and instantly fell in love. It was the start of a seven-year journey to bring her back to her former glory.

Shemara was towed to Portsmouth, UK, and hauled out in October 2010. Her new owner set up Shemara Refit LLP to be run by friend and business partner Peter Morton, who then set about recruiting naval architects from BAE along with several subcontractor companies, including Burgess Marine for the mechanical and structural elements, SEC Marine for the electrical installation, Design Unlimited for the GA and Studioilse for interior design. The ensuing project – lasting three and a half years and taking one million man hours – has seen her reconfigured, refreshed, and largely rebuilt. The result is stunning, retaining her original character but with far superior spaces both on deck and within, and with all mod cons added – including a Rolls-Royce diesel-electric drive train with twin azimuthing pods aft instead of conventional shafts.

As one of the largest private yachts in existence when launched, Shemara epitomised the glamorous lifestyle of the rich and famous. Restoring her to her former glory would prove to be a serious undertaking, but the rebuild has been done sympathetically, retaining the elegance and charm of the original both inside and out while reconfiguring the interior and deck spaces for modern living.

‘As the boat started to come apart, the level of shell plate renewal and core engineering required for the refit became quite apparent,’ says Nick Warren of Burgess Marine. Much of the steel plate on the hull was rotten, as was the entire stern section. She was meticulously rebuilt using as much of the original steel plate as possible, but with a new underwater profile to aid stability, add a keel and a bulbous bow, and to allow for the azimuthing drives aft. The superstructure was redesigned and rebuilt in aluminium, including the old wheelhouse which had originally been built in brass. The masts were replaced with carbon replicas, and the main funnel was remade in GRP – it now houses the satellite dish. Much of the original material – including the pine plank flooring, the teak decking and the tons of brass – was reused in the rebuilt yacht.

At first glance you would be hard pressed to spot the difference between the old and new Shemara – she retains the classic, gentleman’s motor yacht lines of the original with just a few tweaks here and there. The upper deck superstructure is slightly longer to allow for the generous upper saloon and day bar, but elsewhere little has changed – the main deck portholes are original, and indeed the hull from the sheerline to the waterline is the original plating. Even the new superstructure was deliberately left unfaired, giving her a real, classic ship feel.

A tweak of the interior spaces and GA by Design Unlimited along with inspired interior design from the London based Studioilse gives Shemara an extraordinary feel inside – contemporary, yet classic. ‘The idea,’ says Ilsa Crawford of Studioilsa, ‘was to make it a home for the owner and his family, albeit a floating one. Too often the interiors of superyachts can feel more like hotels than homes.’ The esoteric mix of furniture works perfectly, and the spaces are wonderful – a giant formal saloon and dining room on the main deck, with an informal upper saloon and day bar that opens on three sides on the upper deck. Guest accommodation, comprising six double guest cabins and a larger VIP on the lower deck, and an owner’s suite forward on the upper deck, is classically comfortable. A new, grand central staircase links the decks.

While Shemara Refit LLP and Burgess Marine were tackling the technical aspects of the rebuild, Design Unlimited explored the reconfiguration of the spaces. ‘We started developing the exterior while keeping all the character of the original boat, just improving the spaces without going over the top,’ says Design Unlimited founder Mark Tucker. The result is a wonderful array of deck spaces – from the observation deck atop the wheelhouse, to a large sunbathing area aft on the bridge deck, an expansive aft deck with plunge pool on the upper deck and an alfresco dining area on the main deck aft. The sidedecks – particularly on the upper deck – are wide, and reminiscent of the promenade decks of classic liners.

The key change was the installation of the Rolls-Royce diesel-electric system. “She’s quite a low volume yacht to put that equipment in,’ says her current captain, Julian Spier, ‘but the key selling point from the owner’s perspective was the quietness of the system. It’s also efficient and there’s a lot of redundancy. It gives great manoeuvrability and it also allows for a dynamic positioning system.’ The system comprises five main generators that can supply anything from 300kW to over 1600kW depending on mode. The azimuthing pods and new bowthruster allow her to turn almost in her own length. Cruise speed is around 11 knots, with a maximum just over 14 knots.

Superyacht Shemara specifications

LOA: 64.41m
Beam: 9.22m
Draught: 3.96m
Gross tonnage: 831 GT
Propulsion: 2 x Rolls-Royce diesel-electric
Speed (max/cruise): 14 knots / 11 knots
Range: 900nm 11 knots
Owner and guests: 21/12
Crew: 16 (max 19)
Classification: DNV
Builder/Year: JL Thornycorft/1938
Refit/Year: Shemara Refit LLP/2014

Feadship 60mt ROCK.IT

Feadship has now released more information about the 60.35 metre ROCK.IT, created for an experienced owner who chartered Feadships, ROCK.IT features the first-time application on a superyacht of an intuitive control and manoeuvring system developed for naval applications.

“Each Feadship is unique and no two Feadship owners are the same,” stated Feadship director Henk de Vries to an audience of several hundred guests at the launching ceremony. “It is our privilege at Feadship to create the most amazing yachts on the oceans for the most fascinating people on the planet, and it has been an amazing and sometimes rollercoaster ride to partner with the owner of ROCK.IT.

“During his many visits to the yard, we had terrific fun with this unconventional and no-compromise client. His between-your-eyes honesty and tremendous respect for and appreciation of Feadship craftsmanship pushed us to new heights. This is the epitome of the Feadship experience, which encompasses the entire design and construction process. ROCK.IT is a true 21st-century Feadship: stunning aesthetic design nestled in a super stable oceangoing package that will truly rock the waves.”

“ROCK.IT is very sleek and bold without being pretentious,” explained exterior designer Sander Sinot. “A natural flow of lines and surfaces makes the yacht breathe speed and exude elegance.”

Sinot Yacht Design also designed the interior of ROCK.IT, where dark precious woods and light stones are blended in a fantastically detailed classic modern interior. Spacious thanks to the full-beam throughout, crotched mahogany and striking diagonally veneered sycamore panelling create a very personal touch. Backlit pure White Onyx in combination with the most exquisite Portoro and other marbles elevate the interior to a higher level without losing its main purpose of being a true family yacht. But ROCK.IT is also a party boat when the time is right. One of the most striking features is the skylight in the sun deck canopy, which dims automatically depending on the strength of the sunlight. This allows for an open feel while optimising comfort levels.

The superyacht contains cutting edge technology, as in the installation of a unique control system that includes a semi-DP autopilot system. This will allow ROCK.IT to keep her heading at anchor, hovering on the main engine and the thrusters. Optimal use of the various manoeuvring modes is made by means of a three-axis steering joystick with a rotational factor.

“I was willing to accept this new system because it comes from a proven military background,” said ROCK.IT's captain. “I’m also glad we did this with Feadship as it requires a high degree of confidence in the hardware and the people. This manoeuvring system represents a real step towards the future. To make it happen at this point in time, took real vision and considerable skill.”

Feadship

( www.feadship.nl )

Palmer Johnson 49mt Khalilah

The boat in question is not part of the showcase event but her abstract sculptural quality, her golden pearlescent finish and black radar arch make Khalilah indisputably the star attraction – even tied up at a private home on the Indian Creek Waterway, a stone’s throw from the show. Craft of all sorts mill about as passengers crane their necks for a better look at the gleaming, golden goddess.

One man is keeping his cool amid all the hullabaloo. Timur Mohamed, owner of the iconic American boatbuilder Palmer Johnson (PJ), which has produced the 49 metre SuperSport Khalilah, seems to be half-expecting the acclaim and attention when I join him on board. “This,” says Mohamed, sweeping a hand towards the huge aft deck by way of explanation, “is what this is all about.”

Her goldness is not what sets Khalilah apart. Nor is the fact that Khalilah’s the largest private yacht built entirely in carbon composite. Rather, it’s that amazing aft deck, formed by its 11 metre beam. “This yacht has the beam of a 70 metre,” he says proudly.

And Mohamed can rightly feel proud, knowing as he does the amount of effort and the degree of innovation that has gone into creating this new SuperSport series. It has been under development since 2010, when Mohamed came across a concept to serve as the starting point for a yacht to shake things up, in what he considers the conservative world of yachting. It came courtesy of a designer called Berkeley March, a finalist in Boat International’s 2008 Young Designer of the Year awards, who had recently started working for Palmer Johnson.

What Mohamed wanted was a yacht without compromise and, with March’s design, he had it. “We wanted to tick all the boxes of what owners want,” Mohamed says. “The design intent had a clear and bold goal from the start: to create superyachts that did not compromise speed, efficiency, comfort and space. Once we had exterior elements we liked, along with the new hull form, the next [goal] was that design, technology and performance had to be woven seamlessly into the essence of the yacht. We were aiming to capture the hearts and imagination of the discerning and knowledgeable.”

The first designs were produced in late 2011. A contract for the first yacht came a few months later. “It was a high-risk project,” says Mohamed, who admits he likes just this sort of challenge. A second hull, which was sold earlier this year, is under construction.

“Innovative is when you change something fundamental,” Mohamed says. And this first SuperSport vessel did just that: a displacement yacht with no fin- or gyro-stabilisers, capable of reaching 30 knots and of providing the space of a multihull. “Thirty knots on a displacement hull simply does not happen,” he asserts. In February, shortly before heading to Florida, the yacht’s GPS registered 29.9 knots. Further fine-tuning inevitably followed.

Palmer Johnson, founded in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, in 1918, long before its expansion into Monaco a few years ago, is no stranger to innovation. In the 1960s, the yard began building fast sailing yachts in aluminium. It expanded into the superyacht market, where it carved its niche with alluring and sporty yachts developed in co-operation with Italian design firm Nuvolari Lenard.

It was the company’s SportYacht series, launched in the mid-2000s, that first caught the attention of Mohamed. The first PJ120, Cover Drive, was built for him. “It’s all part of the PJ story,” he says. “From Fortuna (a 30.5 metre built in the late 1970s for King Juan Carlos of Spain) to the SportYachts to the SuperSport series, PJ has always bred performance yachts with dynamic styling ahead of the market.”

It helps that the builder has like-minded clients. Palmer Johnson built the first SuperSport for a repeat customer who, in 2007, took delivery of another head turner: the golden, Nuvolari Lenard-designed 46 metre named O’Khalila (now Skyfall II). Unlike her predecessor, which was built in aluminium, Khalilah is entirely carbon composite: carbon fibre sandwich and vinylester.

Khalilah oozes the best of automotive styling with a soupçon of later-generation Palmer Johnson genes. On the water the 49 metre, despite her wide body aft, is sleek and sporty, with a long foredeck ending in what appears to be a reverse bow. Above deck, nothing is revealed: no tenders or cranes, no anchors, winches or mast clutter that foredeck; there is no towering superstructure, as Palmer Johnson eschewed such features many years ago. A wave-piercing element designed to part the water is visible only below the surface. Waves may rise occasionally to the level of side deflectors that also serve as interesting styling elements.

Seen from land, Khalilah offers a very different perspective and reveals her imposing scale. But even as Khalilah towers above, when you stand quayside (she is 16 metres tall from the waterline to the top of the mast), little prepares you for the space that she offers. The aft main deck sits on top of the widest part of the hull, courtesy of two sponsons that are designed to give stability. On closer inspection these thin appendages have doors built right above them to allow the crew to unload tenders and toys.

Seen from the inside, they expand the storage space significantly. Twin side garages, one with a fuelling station, hold a seven metre tender and three jet skis, and frame a large beach club protected from the elements by a wide glass door. With at least three functions, the sponsons are an integral part of the design and, when Khalilah is at anchor, they contribute to the feeling of space on board.

The aft deck’s size – 110 square metres – is closer to the space you’d expect on a multihull. Compounding the effect of that 11 metre beam, and the almost 12 metres from the transom to the saloon door, is the extensive use of glass, which opens up views everywhere you look. Seated or sprawled on the large outside banquette, or lying on enormous sunpads, you still enjoy uninterrupted views. Shapely railings support glass panels that break the wind effectively but don’t spoil the view.

More glass is inset in the carbon supports framing the main deck’s outdoor dining area, with the largest panes found forward at the main saloon level. “They are the biggest glass panels aside from Steve Jobs’s boat [Venus],” says Mohamed.

Each panel framing the superstructure at the saloon’s level measures 6.6 by 2.2 metres. Palmer Johnson worked with New Zealand glass specialist Glasshape, which made and installed the specially formulated DuraShield Marine Glass. Each window panel comprises two layers of laminated glass, with an interlayer of resin that helps refract heat. One-inch thick (26mm), each panel weighs more than one tonne. “They are the largest windows installed on a superyacht in the United States,” says Andrew Forrest, who heads the Glasshape North America office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Thanks to the slender naval architecture and carbon composite construction (which represents a weight saving of about 20 tonnes according to PJ’s own estimation), the SuperSport 48 requires relatively modest power to reach her noteworthy top speed of 32 knots. The engines are twin 16V MTU diesel M94s from the 2000 series, with a maximum 5,200hp output. As a result, total consumption at top speed is about 1,000 litres per hour. Consumption, says the captain who took the yacht from Wisconsin to Florida via Montreal, goes down significantly with speed. With an extra tank extending capacity up to 41,600 litres, and a consumption of 159 litres per hour, the yacht has transatlantic range at about 15 knots.

To build Khalilah entirely in carbon composite, Palmer Johnson selected a Norwegian shipyard well-versed in the material. Brødrene Aa, which specialises in fast ferries, built the first DNV-approved vessel in GRP sandwich panels in the 1970s and a few well-known yachts marketed under the Norship name, including the 36.5 metre Moonraker, once the world’s fastest yacht, in the early 1990s.

The assembled hull and superstructure, with engines and drives in place, made their way from Norway to Wisconsin in late 2013, and the PJ craftsmen installed the mechanics, electronics, a complex network of lights and built the custom interior to the owner’s requirements.

This owner wanted a simple but playful interior. A spiral of LED lights inset in the ceiling above the entrance foyer, a glass octopus, and low-lying colourful seats on top of wide-beam parquet flooring set the tone. But it is not long before the eyes wander towards the floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the saloon.

PJ’s standard layout calls for a larger main saloon, a galley down and a palatial master suite sprawling full-beam forward on the main deck.Khalilah has a different layout, according to her owner’s wishes. The galley, a contemporary and alluring space with windows, stainless steel appliances and lacquered orange cabinets, looks as though it came from a Boffi showroom but was designed and built in-house. It was installed on the main deck at the owner’s request. Two similar-sized owner’s suites occupy the space forward, benefiting from great views through vertical portholes.

The guest cabins, including a comfortable VIP, are on the lower deck. Each has a different colour scheme, highly personalised décor and beautiful marble and colourful mosaics in the showers. The crew cabins (four twins and one single for the captain) are forward of a pleasant crew mess. A clever use of skylights allows light to stream belowdecks and the space is both practical and comfortable.

The pilothouse, up a few steps from the main deck, mirrors the progressive styling of the yacht herself. The modern bridge at the centre of it all was designed, assembled and built at Palmer Johnson, with control panels from Praxis Automation Technology. The wide windscreen offers a surprisingly good view despite the pronounced slant. A second, smaller helm station, or “skybridge”, is on the sundeck above. Modern Edge, an industrial design company based in Portland, Oregon, worked with Palmer Johnson on the design of this stainless steel and GRP console, which fits perfectly with the yacht’s exterior styling and integrates neatly with the Praxis control panels. Wing stations are on fold-out balconies, usually framed by removable stanchions and rails. Like many of this yacht’s design features, they are revealed only on closer inspection.

Khalilah does have a forward navigation mast, but it disappears into the bowels of the vessel when not in use. The only indication of something there is the round shape of the teak detail forward of the sunpads. A system brings the mast up from below. Opening the trap and descending a rather steep ladder reveals a massive and perfectly finished mooring room where several crew can stand fully erect to supervise docking operations. Two anchors drop vertically from the bottom of that room, a system the yard chose to avoid unsightly anchor pockets that distract from the styling.

Practicality dictated most of the choices that the yard made on the technical side, from the sound damping material (Dynamat, a product commonly used in automotive and architectural applications) to the fixed Kohler generators and the conventional diesel power plant included. Most, but not all, of course. When you seek to provoke an emotional reaction and create a strong attachment from an owner to his or her yacht, the details count.

The owner of Khalilah clearly has a thing for gold, which is found at the heart of the engine room as a custom finish on the two MTU engine blocks. Gold suggests glamour and confidence but also courage and passion. It took all of that to imagine and build the first SuperSport. Now let’s hope the golden Khalilah will also mean prosperity for this forward-thinking US yacht builder.



Palmer Johnson

( www.palmerjohnson.com )

CRN 80mt Chopi Chopi

At 80 metres, Chopi Chopi is by far the biggest yacht the CRN shipyard has built, and she did not come easily. In the golden pre-recession age of yachting, the Italian yard experienced significant growth, signing contracts for several yachts above 70 metres. Zuccon International Project, the long-time design partner of CRN’s parent company Ferretti Group, was chosen to develop a series of superyacht concepts to attract the attention of the yard’s international clientele: among them was the project that would become Chopi Chopi.

The financial hardships experienced post-recession slowed the construction of what was then project 129 before her launch, but persistence, dedication and 660,000 working hours paid off. The yacht, shown in Monaco and Genoa in the autumn of 2013, is a great testament to the yard, the designers and the owners. Without a doubt, she is luxurious, but not in any ostentatious way; harmony is in this yacht and you can feel it. It is clear that the owner, a gentleman from the Middle East, knows how to relate to luxury in a natural way.

‘We met the client, who we knew was looking for a big yacht, and presented him the project of a yacht of around 250 feet (72m) with all the features we thought might meet his wishes both in size and style,’ says Gianni Zuccon, head of Zuccon International Project. ‘The primary criterion of the brief was that he wanted it to be a private yacht on which to spend long holidays with his large family. We found out soon that they needed more space – that meant more volume. So, working on the original concept, we incorporated higher volume and added a few metres to the total length to preserve a well-proportioned balance between hull and superstructure.’ The final exterior design reflects the owner’s call for a timeless elegance. It has also absorbed the overarching style that makes every yacht signed by Zuccon International Project recognisable at first glance.

‘We fine-tuned our project proposals according to the owner’s requests for external lines and interior layout, and it was a rewarding experience from both the professional and personal point of view,’ Zuccon says. ‘Chopi Chopi is a mature project stemming from our long-standing experience in megayacht design and the client’s long-standing experience as a yacht owner.’

From the outside, Chopi Chopi’s imposing size has grace, while a sense of tranquility and warmth envelops visitors as soon as they step aboard. Several factors were key to such a successful outcome. First and foremost, perhaps, the owner knew exactly what he wanted and had a very positive, synergistic attitude towards CRN and the exterior and interior designers. Exterior stylist Zuccon has worked a great deal with the Ferretti Group, including the design of 10 large custom and 14 semi-custom yachts since 2006 for CRN. Interior designer Laura Sessa has worked extensively with the owner’s family and was familiar with their taste and habits. Her ability to draw every detail of her interiors freehand is just one way she imbues each project with her personality.

Chopi Chopi looks every centimetre of her 80 metre length and in the exterior designer’s view she is more than a yacht. ‘We aim to provide for each project its own personality and Chopi Chopi is a ship, a beautiful, reliable ship,’ Zuccon offers. ‘Her tiered profile presents a few defining features but no element stands out in sharp relief. Harmonious balance between aesthetics and functionality is pivotal to our vision and Chopi Chopi, with her outstanding simplicity, exemplifies this concept.’

Five decks, plus a tank deck hosting technical and service areas comprise a total surface area of about 1,900 square metres. The yacht will solely be used for private use so has been shaped to provide the owner and his family with all the spaces and the comfort they are used to. The main deck accommodates a large saloon aft and guest accommodations forward, while the owner enjoys a private deck that includes a 200 square metre private apartment connected to a stern terrace, as well as a helipad where a three tonne helicopter can land in privacy.

With such a great amount of space at hand, every room on board Chopi Chopi is sized generously and Sessa used this abundance to create a functional layout. Her cohesive design makes extensive use of maple and limed oak, while a striped pattern of matte and glossy wood and marble.

‘I designed the interior of the client’s former yacht, the Amels 171 Lady Nag Nag, so I had clues about the style he loves,’ Sessa says. ‘I had to translate the owner’s wishes into comfortable, luxurious yet easy interiors. Elegant understatement is indeed the recurrent theme on board. The yacht is one of the family’s favourite places to gather and I designed the interior decoration with the family in mind. The owners’ sons and daughter have their own private places on board and the youngsters have personalised colourful cabins.

‘There are both private and social areas on board, the former being more intimate and small, to provide a snug hideaway when needed,’ she says. ‘We decided to give the interior decoration a chromatic continuity with extensive use of natural coloured textiles enhanced by details of pastel colours, and all bathrooms and dayheads are clad with light cream Perlatino Europa marble.’

Some pieces of custom furniture, built by Hervé van der Straeten to Sessa’s design, echo an Art Deco atmosphere prevalent in the main saloon and the upper deck dining saloon, which are both brightened by light flowing through two full-height doors on either side. Custom built by Galerie van der Straeten, the huge upper deck dining table it seats up to 18 and with its central section removed, transforms into two large round tables.

Enjoyable outdoor living was among the design’s top priorities. The sumptuous beach club, pictured below, with adjoining sauna, hammam and massage room conveniently connects to the main saloon through a central interior staircase, emphasising the close connection between interior spaces and the marine environment.

The lower deck has nearly half of its length devoted to service and technical areas, including the garage and the engine room, while the other half hosts the large and well-appointed crew quarters. More than 30 people are in charge of running the boat and pampering 12 guests.

Chopi Chopi is based on a tried-and-true naval platform and has conventional engine and equipment configuration achieving the very best technical specification. Great attention was devoted to sound and vibration deadening; thick layers of Rockwool and rubber-mounted flooring result in a very low level of noise inside while under way: only 60 decibels in the saloon and 55 in the guest cabins.

A high-tech bridge and well-organised engine room are hallmarks of this new CRN. Located in the yacht’s large and rationally equipped wheelhouse is a technological jewel, a 42 inch (107 centimetre) I-Chart table. Developed by Italian electronics specialist Team Italia, the system has been customised for Chopi Chopi. Dubbed ‘professional infotainment’, the I-Chart allows the captain to manage a range of activities, from route-planning to monitoring primary navigation systems, but also offering guests or crew access to all technical information and entertainment content, video or pictures from the yacht’s archives or the internet.

Chopi Chopi is an oceangoing yacht built by and for people who know what they want and had the foresight and courage to have the project completed in spite of difficulties. The owners found in Zuccon International Project and Laura Sessa the right team to interpret their passion with a great sense of style, while CRN, with this outstanding project, sets its own new standards.

CRN

( www.crn-yacht.com )

CRN 73mt Yalla

Italian shipyard CRN has launched its 73m superyacht M/Y CRN 132 Yalla. VIP guests, representatives from local institutions, employees, the Ferretti Group, CRN Management and citizens of Ancona attended the public ceremony, which was held on May 31, in Ancona, Italy.

CRN has been part of the Ferretti Group for over 50 years. It specialises in constructing fully-customised megayachts in steel and aluminium of up to 90 metres.

The exterior of the new vessel has been designed by Omega Architects in collaboration with the CRN engineering department. Droulers Architecture, who worked alongside the shipyard’s interiors and design office, created the interior.

The vessel is the first to be built by CRN using the new naval platform of 12.5 metres in width, and is characterised by its sleek and sporty lines. With five decks, Yalla can host up to 12 guests in six cabins including the owner’s suite, VIP cabins and 22 crew members.

The launch ceremony opened with greetings and speeches from Alberto Galassi, the new CEO of the Ferretti Group, Lamberto Tacoli, Chairman and CEO of CRN, Xinyu Xu, Vice-chairman of Weichai Group, and the Mayor of Ancona, Valeria Mancinelli.

“Following the launch of M/Y CRN 133 61m in March, we are proud to celebrate the launch of the new M/Y YALLA," says Lamberto Tacoli, Chairman and CEO of CRN, "At 73m YALLA represents a challenge and objective for the whole CRN shipyard and marks an important global development for CRN. We would like to sincerely thank the owner for his trust in CRN, all our employees and subcontractors who have worked on the project, Franck Laupman of Omega Architects and Droulers Architecture. I also thank our shareholder Weichai Group and the new CEO of the Group Alberto Galassi for their participation in this important event for CRN and for the whole Ferretti Group.”

CRN

( www.crn-yacht.com )

Heesen Yachts 50mt Crazy Me

Heesen Yachts’ 50-metre superyacht Crazy Me was a head-turner and a head-scratcher during a 2013 tour of the Dutch yard. The allure of her unusual exterior design is piqued by the well-founded suspicion that an owner bold enough to commission this exterior may have made equally individual decisions inside. These include ceiling heights so tall they could have reduced them and fitted in another deck, sections of upper saloon superstructure that open hydraulically, and glasswork so complex it prompted innovation at Heesen.

Another highly bespoke aspect is Crazy Me’s custom audio visual system. ‘It’s through the whole boat, but the upper deck aft has become a professional-standard disco,’ says Hans Boerakker, Heesen production director. The pool can be covered to become a dance floor, with a bar and DJ booth nearby. High-spec custom speakers by California Audio Technology are built into the bulwarks. ‘They used it at our trial grounds near Rotterdam and they got complaints from five miles away,’ says Boerakker.

The yacht was inspired by a 40-metre penned by Nevada-based designer Gary Grant. The decision to translate this exterior look into a yacht 10 metres longer was a daring one that hints at an experienced and determined owner. But it’s success was down to Heesen. ‘Although a lot of people know us for building platform yachts, what most don’t know is that behind the scenes more than half of our production is custom, one-off boats,’ says Mark Cavendish, Heesen’s sales and marketing driector. ‘Because these are very private they don’t tend to see the light of day. So going far from the conventional is actually quite conventional for us.’

Three black stripes of glass accentuate the yacht’s sweeping lines. Most noticeable are the main deck glazing, which runs from the tip of the bow aft, and the flush upper deck stripe, which wraps around the wheelhouse. Compound curves made these complex studies. ‘If you look at the bridge, for example, the glass is curved in two directions,’ says Boerakker. ‘This meant the windows had to be produced in moulds and also built up in layers of glass, including tints.’ Because flush windows must seamlessly join a faired superstructure, the moulds could only be made once the boat’s surfaces were finished.

‘It has a sculptural influence,’ says Grant of his exterior design for Crazy Me. ‘It’s a form distilled into its essence, but it still incorporates maximum technology and engineering.’ Aerodynamic shapes are in evidence, particularly in the mast, with elements resembling wing sections and air foils. From the foredeck the wheelhouse looks strikingly like the cockpit of an aeroplane – Grant was inspired by the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. He also went to lengths not to break the spell he’d created. ‘We minimised obstructions,’ says Grant. ‘There are no protrusions or rails showing and we have details like retractable navigation lights.’

The 2.2m-high windows of the upper saloon curve into what interior designer Cristiano Gatto describes as a cocoon. In the centre is a round of seating facing a large television, while the upper aft deck teak flooring continues inside to connect the areas. Below, the open-plan main saloon and dining has 2.85 metres of headroom and huge windows – it’s an airy space of ballroom-like proportions. Forward is the full-beam master cabin (pictured below) with a dressing room opening onto an en suite bathroom with a central shower. The palette throughout is pale, with bamboo accented with mauves and soft greys.

The upper aft deck pool has spa jets, a current for serious swimmers, a shallow lie-down platform and a glass panel at the bottom. ‘The sun passes through and reflects water down to the main aft deck, so that you feel the connection between the sun and the water,’ says Gatto. On the lower deck there is a small spa, with sauna, steam room and a fold down swim platform.

Crazy Me may be all-aluminium, but she carries six tonnes of glass. While seriously high-performance was not in the brief, a top speed of at least 21 knots was. ‘We used a process that goes back 25 years to when we built ultra high-speed vessels like Octopussy,’ says Boerakker of the 38 metre, 53-knot motor yacht built for serial superyacht owner John Staluppi in 1988. ‘We have lightweight methods – honeycomb structures, door construction, we cut out any wood that doesn’t need to be there for strength.’ On sea trials Crazy Me did 22.4 knots and she has a range of 3,200 miles at 12 knots.

Specs
LOA: 50m
Beam: 10m
Draught: 3m (loaded)
Displacement: 430 tonnes (half load)
Gross tonnage: 715GT
Engines: 2 x MTU 16V 4000 M93L
Speed (max/cruise): 21/18 knots
Range at 12 knots: 3,200nm
Owner and guests: 12
Crew: 9

Heesen Yachts

( www.heesenyachts.nl )

Dunya Yachts 72,5mt Axioma

The story behind the huge success of 72.5 metre displacement yacht, Axioma, is one not only of interest, but of inspiration. The first boat to be launched from Turkish shipyard, Dunya Yachts, Axioma boasts the world’s top brands and designs throughout its entirety. The cost of such a top class superyacht should be expected to reflect that premium quality, but company founder Sedat Ergün built the company’s debut vessel for an unbeatable 30% less than comparable European shipyards.

It took the yard five years of painstaking perfectionism to complete project Red Square, later renamed,Axioma.

The Monaco Yacht Show of September of the same year, Axioma was the talk of the event. Everybody wanted to see the daring debut of the new Turkish shipyard. This unprecedented popularity and success is easily reflected in the rapid sale of the superyacht by YPI, actually during the event in Monaco, and exclusively offering her for charter in the Caribbean.

So what makes Axioma so in demand, so talked about and so exciting? Firstly, she features a number of revolutionary shifts for the general layout of a vessel of this size, attributed, predominantly to the aforementioned meticulous attention to detail from the yard’s management team and founder, Sedat Ergün. One of the most striking of these features is the main salon’s beautiful double-deck gallery, providing a sense of vast space and light usually reserved for large land-based residences, a concept Ergün envisioned from the onset.

The gym, spa and steam room have all been brought up from the lower decks, creating an inviting environment flooded with light and spectacular views. In fact, aside from the movie theatre located on the lower deck, all guest areas have been moved up to provide bright and beautiful spaces for guests of theAxioma to truly enjoy everything the boat and, of course, their paradisiacal surroundings, has to offer.

This includes the luxurious guest suites, which have been brought up to the main deck. The expansive windows showcase those stunning views of the water, adhering to the design’s credo of a light and completely unconfined environment. Axioma provides this atmosphere for up to 12 guests over six suites. Aside from 5 beautiful guest suites finished in varying colour schemes, the real gem is the full beam master suite.

Guests in this suite can expect a fantastic bathroom suite finished in blue marble, direct access to a private terrace, and to be awoken to outstanding panoramic views forward. Space for her crew of 20 are all located on the lower decks.

When it came to Axioma’s design, the team chose to spotlight bold style as well as practicality. The overall design brief was that of a “beach house style”. She is a yacht to feel at home with, to fully enjoy the comforts of a vacation with all the luxury yet none of the stiffness of a five star hotel. This was achieved perfectly through the collaborative team of designers and engineers who all contributed to the beauty of Axioma. Ergün talks of this collaboration, saying, “We worked with some of the most experienced brains and craftsmen in the business to create a world-class vessel.”

And a world class vessel they were finally presented with. The who’s who list of expert material and equipment suppliers contracted is seemingly endless, Awlgrip for the paint exterior, sound and vibration from Van Cappellen Consultancy, LIST for the interior joinery and Cramm for the hydraulic moving parts, to name but a few.

The vessel’s exterior provides guests with a wide choice of both private and convivial spaces across four decks. Two generous pools, expansive lounging space and dining areas aft are complemented by a secluded lounging and dining area on the bridge deck and that beautiful private terrace forward of the master cabin. Axioma really does offer her guests the luxury of easy privacy and seclusion.

The late renowned designer, Albert Pinto, made use of soft neutrals throughout the interior, accented with pops of vibrant colour. A beautiful complement to a range of natural wood tones and textures to add to the gorgeous sophistication of the yacht.

Dunya Yachts have certainly not rushed their debut. They have invested time, energy and intelligence into creating a superyacht that excites, intrigues and, most importantly, provides an idyllic, quintessential getaway for her guests. With an 80 metre version of Axioma already in build, Warrior80, the future looks bright for the Turkish shipyard, with Ergün confidently stating that the Axioma is a yacht “that will continue to be a showcase of what the Dunya Yachts brand can achieve. Axioma is the standard-bearer for our pedigree.” With such a significant standard-bearer, Ergün can expect the world to be eagerly anticipating the arrival of Dunya Yachts’ next project.

Dunya Yachts

( www.dunyayachts.com )

Abeking & Rasmussen 81.8mt Kibo

Abeking & Rasmussen has launched its latest creation, a new 81.8mt superyacht that currently has the project number 6497.

At present we have very few details other than her project name, overall length, and the fact that she is the second-largest yacht ever built by the German yard. We believe she is due to be delivered in June of this year, and that she will go under the name of Kibo. She is said to have a GRT of 2350.

Below is a statement from Abeking & Rasmussen on their latest launch:

“Abeking & Rasmussen are delighted to announce the launch of hull number 6497. The 81.8mt motor yacht, with exterior and interior design by multi-award winning Terence Disdale Design, was successfully launched to the water Sunday afternoon, on March 9th, 2014. The project, managed by Y.CO. , will be completed in June 2014, when the motor yacht will be delivered.”

Abeking & Rasmussen

( www.abeking.com )

Heesen Yachts 40mt Galatea

Dutch shipyard Heesen Yachts have announced the launch of their first 40 metre ‘sportster’, christened M/Y Galatea.

The yacht, which was launched during a private ceremony at the Heesen shipyard in Oss, features advanced aluminium hull technology, powerful performance, uncompromising interior design and peerless Dutch construction standards.

She has been billed as offering “the optimum balance of comfort and power”, with marble bathrooms among her luxurious interior design features, whilst boasting an impressive speed capability of 27.5 knots.

Built for private use, the vessel’s sun deck offers maximum space for relaxing and dining. Her open flybridge layout gives a huge 85 square metres of deck space that includes a helm station and a shaded dining area that is protected even underway by glass side panels.

Bespoke teak furniture, including a built-in teppanyaki grill, completes the upper deck. Inside, a 10 metre long saloon includes a large square lounge and a dining area aft adjacent to full-height glazed doors. With the doors open, guests can dine inside while enjoying fresh air and panoramic views.

A total of ten guests can sleep in five cabins, comprising a full-beam main deck master, two full-beam VIP doubles and two twin cabins on the lower deck, all of which house marble ensuite bathrooms.

Frank Laupman of Omega Architects has created an interior design that has a distinctive personality based on a theme of Dutch expressionism. Contrasting woods, simple clean lines, marquetry and glass detailing create an atmosphere of calm, contemporary elegance.

The ride will be as graceful and luxurious as the interior; comfort and handling are further enhanced by Active Interceptor stabilizers and the very latest zero-speed Seakeeper gyro stabilizers.

Galatea will be tested in the North Sea and be delivered to her owners at the end of next month.


Heesen Yachts

( www.heesenyachts.nl )

Feadship 46mt Como

Feadship has launched the 46.22-metre semi-displacement motoryacht Como, created for the highly experienced yachtsman Neville Crichton. Como's custom design was hugely influenced by his ideas regarding design aesthetics and the lavish use of glass.

“Having built many yachts in New Zealand, my choice of Feadship came after a careful and extensive examination of its expertise and facilities,” said Crichton, who was made Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for his services to yachting and business. “Once the decision to work with Feadship for the first time was made, I followed the construction process closely at all stages. I am pleased to be able to report that Feadship has exceeded my expectations (in particular the quality and finish of their workmanship) in all areas and working with them both professionally and personally has been an enjoyable experience, with a remarkable and unique superyacht as the end result.”

Featuring a modern bow and whaleback sheer, Como’s exterior design by Dubois Naval Architects reflects the owner’s very specific ideas. The yacht has unprecedentedly large windows in the hull and there is a great deal of glass in the superstructure: the latter is placed on top of the metal rather than being set into it, creating a continuous glass surface. These glazed side panels give spectacular uninterrupted views from the owner’s stateroom.

Being a car importer and racing car driver, Mr Crichton’s love of sporty designs manifests itself in features such as the tumblehome in the superstructure and the angle in the wall of the superstructure, generating a streamlined cockpit look reminiscent of a racing car.

Como comprises two and a half decks – an exception for Feadship in recent times when most projects have had four or five. The wheelhouse is slightly recessed into the main deck structure, re-emphasising the streamline of the design while creating a gigantic outside deck. This is a wonderful party area is also completely covered and surrounded by glass, which can be lowered to facilitate a nice breeze or raised to create a giant terrace protected from the elements.

Meanwhile, the back end of the wheelhouse slopes down from the front into a control station for outdoor helming. And the interior design from the boards of Redman Whiteley Dixon is finished to an exceptionally high level with lots of dark timbers and a wide range of fascinating fine details.

“We are delighted to make our mark once again in this size range,” commented Feadship director Henk de Vries at the launch of Como. “Feadship is not only about very large superyachts: we also pride ourselves on creating exceptionally well-honed objects on a more human scale. And, like all our yachts, everything has been totally customised to the client’s individual requirements. We have used the very latest technologies and developments to push the window – and the windows – on what is surely the most sophisticated forty-six metre superyacht in the world today.”

Como - Basic Specs

Type: Twin screw motor yacht
LOA: 46.22m | 151’6”
Beam overall: 9.00m | 29’6”
Draught (loaded): 2.20m | 17’3”
Fuel capacity: 51,000 litres | 13,473 US Gallons
Fresh water capacity: 16,000 litres | 4,227 US Gallons
Hull/Superstructure: aluminium
Naval Architect: Dubois Naval Architects
Exterior styling: Dubois Naval Architects
Interior design: Redman Whiteley Dixon
Main engines: 2x Caterpillar C32 / 1417 kW @ 2300 rpm
Generators: 2x Caterpillar 6.6 – 2x 90.125 kW – 1500 rpm
Stabilizers: Quantum zero-speed stabilizers
Guests: Four guests in two double guest staterooms and four guests in two twin guest staterooms
Crew: Eight crew – four crew in two crew cabins; two in captain’s cabin, two in engineer’s cabin. Storage rooms, laundry, galley and crew mess on lower deck


Feadship
( www.feadship.com )