ISA 54,6 mt Forever One

There is very little about the 54.6 metre ISA Yachts Forever One that conforms to what we are used to seeing in a superyacht. With her imposing volume, more than 1,050 gross tonnes, lofty bow and flashy white and red livery, Forever One stands out wherever she goes and rarely leaves people indifferent.

Passion seems the most appropriate word to use when describing the yacht’s build. The project stems from an experienced Mexican owner, Bruce Grossman, who entrusted Fernando Nicholson of Camper & Nicholsons International and designer and naval architect Horacio Bozzo to fine-tune his ideas.

“Bruce was adamant that the design should be both unique and reliable,” says Nicholson. “He wanted a yacht that distinguished herself from the crowd, the right place to spend long, relaxed holidays with his beloved wife, Elsa – the ‘forever one’ to whom the yacht is dedicated. He wasn’t interested in building a yacht with resale in mind.” Thinking about resale value and charter use, as most owners do at the time of purchasing a new boat, would have affected design and layout options, and Grossman didn’t want such constraints.

The Grossmans owned several yachts before this, the last being a sporty jet-driven Mangusta 130. “My wife and I spent memorable holidays on board our Mangusta, but despite our enthusiasm, the Mangusta didn’t suit our needs any longer,” Grossman says. “We needed a large displacement yacht that might allow us to sail comfortably whatever the season and weather. As we spend months and months on board our yacht, just the two of us or together with a restricted number of friends, my new Forever Onehad to be a floating home. The projects brought to my attention by many reputed shipyards and designers neither matched my needs nor expectations. I wanted a yacht that was shaped on our lifestyle. We do love having both private and social areas providing us with all comforts, space and amenities we are used to at home.”

Bozzo, an Argentine naval architect and designer based in Italy and founder of Axis Group Yacht Design, had already worked out a concept with Nicholson for a yacht featuring an almost-reverse bow, massive volume and muscular exterior lines. When they showed their idea to Grossman it was love at first sight. The winning concept rapidly evolved into a project and ISA Yachts was entrusted to build it. Throughout the project’s development, the overall design remained nearly untouched while the interior layout took shape according to her owner’s input. With the creativity of a passionate designer and the meticulous approach of a naval architect, Bozzo designed everything down to the smallest element; he provided the builder with detailed instructions on how to build the complicated transom door, as well as how to align the coaming with a hinge or handrail socket.

Bozzo also created hundreds of sketches and renderings and discussed every detail with Nicholson, the owner’s captain Colin Skinner and the yard’s technical department. The owner, initially closely involved in refining the concept, left the project’s management to his trusted team.

Forever One is a complex yacht whose massive volume encompasses very large folding balconies, gullwing side hatches that required considerable research into longitudinal and torsional bending forces, and an articulated transom that opens up as a magnificent on-the-water lounge.

This beach club is a bold statement of design and technical skills. Grossman asked for plenty of cosy social areas, so its interior was designed and furnished as an area that can be used when under way. A window and a hatch that hinges upward allow fresh air and light into the room. Teak panels cover both window and hatch to form an extended, flush, walkable area when the door folds open at anchor.

As the project took shape, Alessandro Massari, a young and talented designer, joined the team with the mission of defining Forever One’s interior décor. The main saloon sets the tone for the inspired, refreshing interior design.

With its Hamptons-style, shore-inspired colours, the interior is bright and breezy. Discreet window treatments let plenty of natural daylight pour in. White, creamy hues of seashells, whalebone, rich earth and sand colours make up Forever One’s palette. Dark-brown wood frames the predominantly white fabrics, furniture, doors and walls with hints of colour brightening the scheme. The grand saloon on the main deck doubles as a cinema. Full-height glass sliding doors open onto side passages and fold-down balconies that, when opened at anchor, double the room’s width. The weathered dark-oak floor is a tactile experience for bare feet.

A full-beam, multi-purpose dining room is located in a separate area on the main deck, forward of the large lobby and the round glass lift that connects all decks. In this dining/lounging room, standalone furnishings allow small groups of guests to pursue different activities at once.

Alongside a custom square dining table, which can be extended to host up to 12 guests, this homey environment encompasses a games table, armchairs, comfy sofas, plus a bar with high stools. Forever One has five bars so guests can be served quickly and easily on all decks, both inside and outside. Guests have at their disposal versatile indoor areas and expansive exterior living spaces, and anyone who wants to will find nooks where they can relax.

“On board Forever One, I want to offer my guests the best comfort and amenities,” says Grossman. “I love to spend time in good company; nevertheless, my wife and I need our privacy. This is why we have our own apartment on the upper deck aft, where on a yacht of this size, a panoramic saloon would normally be. Abaft our suite, a lounging area opens onto the aft terrace. This is our intimate retreat.” The master suite also includes his-and-hers large bathrooms, two walk-in wardrobes and a room dedicated to his shoe collection.

As Forever One is not meant for the charter market, this yacht only has three large guest suites, all on the lower deck. A fourth room is fitted withhigh-end gym equipment. On the same deck, the roomy bow shape allows for comfortable crew quarters encompassing six double cabins, a generous dinette and a pantry directly connected to the galley on the main deck. Besides being spacious, the crew quarters boast a finish and joinery comparable to guest areas.

“Our crew is at our disposal all year round, and the yacht has to be perfectly maintained and ready to leave whenever we decide,” Grossman says. “We take into great consideration captain and crew, so as we spend prolonged periods on board, sometimes we go ashore in a hotel to give them a little rest.”

From the crew area, a flight of stairs leads to the bilge deck with abundant storage, refrigerators and freezers, cold rooms and laundry. On both sides, stabiliser compartments are easily accessed. A split-level engine room houses two Caterpillar 3512C engines producing more than 1,900 horsepower each – ensuring her top speed of 16.5 knots.

Forever One’s maiden voyage took her owners north to Venice in the Adriatic Sea. They were delighted with the yacht’s performances in all conditions and reported how comfortable they felt in their new floating home. She has indeed proven herself to be a special, life-enhancing yacht.

ISA Yachts

( www.isayachts.com )