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 )

Lürssen 110mt Radiant

Motor yacht Radiant was originally known by the moniker Darius when she was launched by Lurssen in early 2009 with few details leaked about her bound-to-be superlative amenities. Subtile style emanates from the grey hull and white superstructure of this distinctive vessel whose Tim Heywood design cuts an impressive figure on the water.

A sister to Dilbar, Radiant was commissioned by the Russian media tycoon Boris Berezovsky, who wanted a rival to Pelorus, owned by his arch enemy Roman Abramovich. However, he subsequently sold her to Abdulla al-Futtaim, a billionaire car dealer from the United Arab Emirates, before she was completed.

As well as the standard features for a yacht of this size - helipad, gymnasium, cinema, spa - she has one of the highest security specifications ever conceived. Berezovsky ordered a personal “escape launch” – a speedboat with turbo-charged twin diesel engines capable of exceeding 75 knots. She is also equipped with an arsenal of sonic guns that fire low-frequency sound waves that can burst the eardrums of approaching assailants, and a military water cannon capable of sinking an approaching boat at more than 100 yards.

Radiant is the second (after Dilbar) yacht in the world with particle filters on the main engine exhausts. She has a combined dieselmechanic and diesel electric propulsion system with exhaust gas particle filters for all the generating sets and for the main engine exhaust at lower power.

This basic idea of the Lurssen green engine concept is to avoid a significant amount of emission for both generating set and main engine exhaust gases in combination with a propulsion system of high efficiency. One aim is to avoid as much exhaust gas particles as possible at anchor and while manoeuvring in harbours, anchorages, bays or at slow speed operation near the shore line.

This target is akin to the efforts to reduce diesel exhaust gas particles in cities and populated areas.

All four generating sets are equipped with diesel exhaust particle filters, which take out more than 95 % in weight of the soot particles; These generating sets supply the power for the hotel load and for four azimuthing thrusters. With only the thrusters, the yacht is able to run at a comfortable speed and make the most of its quietness and its capability for dynamic positioning.

In addition to the cleaning of the exhaust gases of the generating sets the exhaust gases of the main engines can be treated up to a load of 1000 kW for each engine.

The combination of diesel electric propulsion (by the gensets and the thrusters) and conventional propulsion with CPP (Controllable Pitch Propellers) has the benefit of having the high efficiency of a diesel mechanic propulsion system for long distance trips.

Built to the rules of Germanischer Lloyd, Radiant reaches a top speed of 20 knots.

( www.luerssen-yachts.com )

Perini Navi 60mt Seahawk

The Perini Navi Group has delivered Seahawk, the first yacht in their new generation of 60m sailing yachts. With innovative hull lines and technological solutions, these yachts guarantee speed and performance under sail along with even more ample and comfortable interior volumes that make this new Perini Navi series truly unique.

Seahawk has a sleek hull and superstructure in aluminium with a gross tonnage of under 500 GT and a displacement of 570 tons. The variable keel length allows for a draught that goes from 4.30 to 12.30m. The ketch, designed by the naval architects at Perini Navi in collaboration with New Zealander Ron Holland, has a total sail plan area of 2.125 sqm featuring two aluminium masts of 62 e 52m. The booms and spreaders are in carbon fibre as are the foils, head-stays and diagonals. And, for the first time on a Perini Navi ketch, carbon fibre has also been used for the standing rigging. On the foredeck a new generation of fully recessed furlers for the head sails has been created by the Perini Navi Mast Division which has also developed the new captive winches installed onboard which increase manoeuvring power and speed.

The interiors, penned by the French designer Christian Liaigre, have a refined and extremely elegant contemporary allure with traditional maritime elements. The three principal areas on Seahawk’s main deck- dining room, living room and office- are planned around a staircase, an element that unites the three levels of the yacht. The lower deck has four en suite guest cabins and a full-beam owner’s suite whose original layout features two double beds placed diagonally across from each other and sliding walls that can be closed to divide the suite into two for charter use.

Perini Navi
( www.perininavi.it )

Rossinavi 48 mt Ketos

Last February, Italian shipyard Rossi Navi launched the spectacular superyacht Ketos from their Viareggio facilities. At 48 metres LOA, this powerful and sportive superyacht boasts two and a half decks of glossy luxury, contemporary Italian design and a rich, glamorous ambiance that invites guests to relished, enjoy and simply relax.

Unmistakably refined, Ketos, designed by Team 4 Design, shows an impressive, sportive exterior look that combines bold lines and a strong, aerodynamically shaped silhouette. Combining strength with ingenuity, Ketos has some intriguing features such as her forward windows, in the shape of four two-metres high cut-outs in the hull.

These windows, located in the master suite, enhance her exterior look and offer ample amounts of natural light for the master, adding an atmosphere-defining design statement and astounding panoramic views. In any case, it's features such as this that make Ketos the compelling superyacht that she is, enthusing us to take a closer look and discover all the delights she has to offer.

There surely is plenty to discover within those exteriors of refined force. Her all-aluminium hull offers lush style, great luxury and a set of sumptuous guest accommodations in the form of four stylish suites. Including a grand, full beam master and the equally impressive VIP, Ketos offers plenty of space for a company of 10.

Starting our tour in the main saloon, we are immediately introduced to Ketos' determined, light and curvy elegance, which that can be enjoyed everywhere onboard. An sense of richness is present within the glossy, contemporary saloon. It combines a light colour palette with dark lacquered wood, which forms a solid base of the entire design scheme onboard. Ample amounts of natural light, smooth modern shapes and an airy, pleasantly dramatic atmosphere are key. Ketos makes a solid statement with her style, a statement of clean, modern glamour and a cozy sense of chic.

From the high-gloss, crisp white ceilings in the saloon, with a large, central oval showing some starry-sky romance, to the exquisite backlit marble centrepiece wall fore, one is welcomed into an oasis of lightness and luxury, perfectly Italian and with a generous character. From the large, white leather sofas, one straight and one organically curvy, to the oval tables and the modern-classic chairs, and from the panoramic windows to the sparkling lighting scheme, the main saloon is all about light and a contemporary style. The lounge, which is accompanied by an elegant cocktail bar, has a pleasantly open ambiance and inviting furniture. Marble, lacquered wood, leather, plush carpeting and generous amounts of gloss all add to an ambiance of Italian finesse. Fore, a big formal dining room is equally glamorous and light, with a glass-topped table, curvy, white leather chairs, panoramic windows and a sparkly chandelier as key ingredients.

Ketos offers lavish accommodations for a company of up to ten guests, in four luxurious suites. From the formal dining room, one moves fore into the central lobby, which is a statement of luxurious, dramatic design all on it's own. Subtle lighting, marble floors, elegant sculptural art and a spectacular central chandelier all add to the glamorous lightness of this elegant room. Entering the full beam master suite through a private corridor, one finds a stateroom that is as intimate as it is luxurious. Boasting similar colours and materials as the main saloon, the stateroom maximally utilises the sublime windows and the dramatic vista views. These windows, four slender, standing beams of glass, give a sense of openness without taking away from the suite's sense of privacy. All light and luxury, the stateroom's design combines curvy, high-gloss wood with plush, light carpeting and textures upholstery, plus a private slice of starry skies integrated in the lighting scheme above the bed.

The master offers his and hers en suites with a big, centrally located shower space. Adding extra glamour with elements of gold and rich mother-of-pearl tiling throughout, the en suites are equally stylish as the master stateroom.
With the master suite offering lounge areas, a separate office and ample storage space, simply nothing is left to be desired. The office can be easily converted into an extra guest suite, with en suite and wardrobe, adding extra flexibility to Ketos' range of possibilities.

Belowdecks, a lush, full-beam VIP, one double suite and on twin suite complete Ketos' great collection of guest accommodations. The VIP-suite boasts an impressively spacious stateroom, with a design scheme that shows off more of Ketos' love for lacquered wood, adding extra warmth. With lush his and hers en suites, lounge and office areas, and a wardrobe, this VIP can easily rival with the master suite as far as style, space and luxury are concerned. The double and twin suites are equally well appointed with a great style, appealing ambiance and spacious en suites.

Upstairs, one can discover the truly impressive sky lounge, which boasts two of Ketos' most surprising features. With a big bar, second dining area and large, L-shaped lounge, this upper deck salon has a light and informal ambiance, in a colour palette of white with blue accents.
What might appear as 'just' a second saloon, can be effortlessly transformed into a breezy, open air deck by opening up the ceiling. At the simple push of a button, the central section of the roof slides open to reveal the outside skies, simply bringing the inside out. This way, this magnificent space simply puts the 'sky' in 'sky lounge' and allows guests to turn their dinners and cocktail parties into al fresco occasions within seconds.

Still, there is more to be discovered, with the aft lounge area offering a big Jacuzzi that can be located either inside of outside, by use of big, round glass sliding doors. Taking a relaxing dip has never been more versatile. The large aft deck offers a spacious area perfect for sunbathing, lounging and enjoying the panoramic views. In any case, flexibility is key.

Additional to the upper aft deck, two exterior areas perfectly complete Ketos' collection of amenities. First, there is the main aft deck, which boasts a large sofa, al fresco dining area and fully equipped bar, plus the large swimming platform and beach club just a few steps below. Perfectly suitable for any occasion, the main aft deck is spacious and framed with wonderful vista views.

Second, the foredeck has a great cockpit plus a set of big sun pads, including bimini shades and astonishing views. Whether for parties, intimate get-togethers, cozy lunches or simply lazy lounging, this Portuguese deck is suitable for simply anything.

With her bold exterior look, modern glamour, lush accommodations and overall airy, light ambiance, Ketos surely is a true charmer. With ample luxury amenities and a few great surprises up her sleeve, this is a superyacht that is set to impress her every guest.

Rossinavi

( www.rossinavi.it )

Picchiotti 73mt Grace E

The Perini Navi Group has launched Grace E, the new 73m Picchiotti motor yacht that is the third motor yacht sold by the Perini Navi Group, at their Picchiotti shipyard in La Spezia, Italy. Grace E, like her predecessors Exuma and Galileo G, is part of the Group's project for relaunching the historic Picchiotti brand name in the world of large motor yachts. Picchiotti is famous for its design, engineering and high production standards, qualities that it shares with the rest of the Perini Navi Group.

Grace E has the same hull and superstructure design elements that both characterize the rest of the Picchiotti Vitruvius® series and assure efficient and autonomous navigation. Grace E has an advanced diesel-electric propulsion system with two Azipod propellers, electronically activated propellers that are mounted on a movable support called a pod, that allow the yacht to reach a cruising speed of 16.5 knots. Grace E is also equipped with a variety of tenders for the exploration of the surrounding environment.

Ideal for cruising in the Mediterranean or in the Caribbean, Grace E has been designed for autonomous and energy efficient cruising in comfort and safety. Exterior spaces are divided over five decks. The Upper Deck, also called the Wellness Deck, has an area that is entirely devoted to wellness with a gym, a sauna and hydrotherapy equipment. The interiors, designed by Remi Tessier, are elegant and contemporary.

At their Perini Istanbul-Yildiz shipyard the Group is currently constructing the first sailing yacht in their new 70m series, scheduled for delivery in 2015, and the third yacht in their 60m series, a yacht that can be delivered within two years. At their Italian shipyards they are also currently constructing the second yacht in their 60m series, the sloop C.2218, whose delivery is scheduled for the year 2014, and the second yacht in their 38m Racing Line.

Perini Navi

( www.perininavi.it )

Benetti 55mt Ocean Paradise

Recently launched at the Benetti Livorno shipyard, 55 metre superyacht Ocean Paradise is firmly set at having people talk about her at her debut during this year's edition of the Monaco Yacht Show. This bold and modern vessel will present the industry with her unique sense of style, refreshingly different approach to design and a quirky and confident personality that showcases a pleasant, bubbly sense of fun. From her lush contemporary interior designs, generously spacious onboard ambiance and playful sense of luxury, Ocean Paradise will surely become the talk of the town. With a distinct and personable sense of design and full collection of luxurious amenities, she is surely ready to comfort all her future charter guests in style.

Her exterior shows strong features, with a sleek silhouette, sharp curving lines and an overall look that is largely sportive, subtly futuristic and all elegant. With her white hull and superstructure, Ocean Paradise boasts a crisp clean look with bold confidence, strength and grace. She combines ample personality with eloquent Italian charm, an appealing blend that is surely inviting to take a closer look.

What becomes instantly apparent upon boarding, is that Ocean Paradise offers her guests a unique sense of style, boasting designs that blend shapes, colours and materials with a few daring details here and there. This forms an overall scheme that is rich and stylish, intriguing and fresh. There is a pleasant sense of openness and contemporary glamour everywhere onboard, with surprising dashes of eclectic colours and patterns spicing up her overall soothing lounge atmosphere. This results in a pleasant playfulness, showing that Ocean Paradise is all about seducing her guests with some serious fun.

Starting off with the main aft deck, a spacious and modern cockpit presents a fitting introduction to Ocean Paradise's light, airy and modern style. With a large U-shaped lounge sofa aft, a set of modern coffee tables and several large poufs, this area makes perfect use of impressive panoramic surroundings with a light, personal sense of style. Guests can lounge, relax and enjoy an informal style, which is inviting and fresh. Bubbly and colourful upholsteries are easily combined with crisp white fabrics, a perfect mix of serene and passionate. Black high-gloss superstructure walls and large sliding glass doors add a touch of glamour while the spacious, teak-clad deck spaces give off a luxurious, breezy vibe.

Downstairs aft, the transom opens up and folds out to reveal a generously sized swimming platform and beach club area. White modern wicker loungers accompanied by hockers are paired with black wicker, glass-topped side tables and a bright, flowery pattern for poufs and cushion upholstery. Again, there is a pleasantly airy and informal ambiance, a delightful combination of perfect privacy, enchanting vista views and the luxury of a refreshing dive in the sea at one's fingertips. Relaxation is just a plunge away. This spacious area, with exterior shower, offers a stylish, cozy and welcoming environment where ample hours will be filled with luxurious enjoyment and stylish fun. Ocean Paradise obviously offers a complete collection of toys and tenders, assuring every guest any sportive activity and pastime imaginable.

Inside, the main saloon presents the contemporary cool, gentle extravagance that is the key to Ocean Paradise's generous style. From the attractively textured flooring of brushed bleached white oak, to the large, plush and extravagantly curvy sofa-elements, and from the clean white textured wall paneling to the rich burgundy carpet, cushion and chair upholstery, the main saloon gives off a brightly welcoming, exquisitely contemporary vibe that is both chic and informal. The open plan saloon consists of a spacious lounge aft and formal dining fore. The lounge, with modern transparent chairs and a large, organically shaped white lounging element, offers a great, light ambiance. With large windows supplying ample natural light, the elegant light design is emphasised, while floor-to-ceiling cabinets aft not only offer storage space, but supply some cozy privacy as well. Here, natural light flows in through the skylight.

Fore, the dining area is visually separated from the lounge by contrasting flooring, with high-gloss natural stone with inlaid framing opposite the rougher bleached oak of the lounge. The modern, high-gloss dark dining table is surrounded by classic dining chairs in black wood and off-white upholstery. A modern centrepiece lighting fixture, consisting of three rows of 12 round lights, bathes the dining area in pleasant illumination, while RGB LED lighting hidden throughout the saloon offers colourful dashes of light in every thinkable colour.

Overall, the main saloon is a chic, contemporary and surprisingly different room, with cool and welcoming style, shapely furnishing and light, luxurious palettes of colours and materials. Large windows supply perfect views, while there is still a pleasant sense of privacy throughout.

Moving fore through the equally light and airy main foyer, the master suite can be reached. The spacious foyer houses a soothing zen garden, which offers a delicate contrast to the chic design of this bright space. One is welcomed into the wonderfully spacious master suite through the master entrance.

Here, a large daybed and flatscreen television offer a great private retreat, perfect for intimate movie nights. The full beam master stateroom is lush, spacious and contemporary, with high contrasts in colour and material palettes. Predominantly white and black, the sleek stateroom offers several surprising design features that turn the room into a rich area that combines cool style with lightness and perfect privacy. The crisp white carpeting boasts a high-relief texture that is instantly reminiscent of virginal sandy beaches, greatly appealing to every guest lucky enough to feel this lush softness on their feet every morning. Large floor-to-ceiling bedside mirrors house an organically shaped, integrated lighting element, with additional lighting framed along floors and ceilings. For added colour, LED-lighting frames around the bed allows for a personal touch, influencing the colour and ambiance of this cool stateroom at the touch of a button.

Large, column-shaped windows port side add some panoramic glamour while maintaining a sense of intimacy, while starboard there is one of the master suite's most enticing features in the form of a large private balcony. Sliding glass doors lead outside, onto a terrace that is truly a gem. Picture perfect panoramas from the privacy of one's own suite are simply a dream come true and it's very easy to imagine guests enjoying a lovely private sunrise breakfast and sunset cocktails before bed here. In any case, taking in some fresh air and lounging about in the white wicker hammock chair, reading a book or enjoying the view, this balcony is one of the master's most appealing assets. Inside, a large glass wall separates the stateroom from the bathing section of the en suite, which offers a big central shower cove, large oval tub, separate toilet area and a big dressing room with ample storage space. This full beam en suite, with white marble as key design ingredient, is light, lavish and contemporary, an stylish and soothing space that is the perfect extension of the master stateroom. In total, the impressive master suite offers lightness, modern style and luxury galore, all in a cool an breezy ambiance.

Ocean Paradise offers lush accommodation for a company of up to 14 guests. Belowdecks, there are four luxury guest suites to be found, two doubles and two twins, the latter each with an extra Pullman berth. All guest suites offer the superyacht's high contrast colour scheme of ample white with black detailing, and added vibrant colours in the lighting throughout. Plush carpeting, ample natural light and a contemporary look and feel welcome all guests for a stay that will be luxurious and stylish every single time. Guest en suites are of a warmer colour scheme, with darker materials offering sleek dwellings in eloquently modern designs. All guest accommodations offer big en suites with large shower areas, bright, luxurious staterooms and ample storage space.

Upstairs, an upper deck VIP suite offers extra guest accommodation, equally well appointed, stylishly designed in a blue and white colour palette and with a warm ambiance. A spacious en suite turns these quarters into a convenient extra guest space, easily accessible right adjacent to the sky lounge.

The sky lounge is a grand, open and soft space where relaxing and informal lounging is key. With a large grey L-shaped sofa, white bar and a games table with chairs present as main ingredients, the sky lounge offers a soft modern coziness in a colour palette of white, black and grey.

Plush upholstery and carpeting, soft shapes, panoramic vista views and an actual games-table, with integrated screen and built-in joystick, are some of the many appealing amenities in the sky lounge. Large round lights in the ceiling add a playfulness, making this space into a wonderfully casual casual lounge.

Outside, there is an impressively spacious aft deck veranda, open, airy and wonderfully flexible. From the bar and al fresco dining table to the port side lounging daybed, starboard U-shaped lounge sofa and aft panoramic seating, the veranda hosts an impressive luxurious feel with exquisite vistas framing the area's magnificent deck space. Perfectly flexible, this is a wonderful deck space for any social occasion for a company of any size. The high-gloss contemporary dining table is surrounded by black and white chairs, located on top of the main saloon's skylight.

It's obviously apparent that Ocean Paradise offers an amazing array of luxury amenities, great contemporary style and a wonderful, welcoming ambiance, so her massive sun deck is simply icing on the cake. The large panoramic lounge area offers an eclectic selection of lounge furniture, ranging from a sofa and wicker chairs to a big, round daybed. Guests have many possibilities, but perfect relaxation is simply guaranteed. A large lounge bed, in the familiar brightly coloured floral pattern upholstery, is centrally located and a perfect spot for relaxing, soaking up some sun and enjoying each other's company. Moving fore, there are two symmetrically placed lounging spaces, each with a big L-shaped sofa accompanied by a side table and a set of comfy poufs. Lounging here, right next to the fully equipped bar which offers an integrated flatscreen television, guests are presented with anything they want for a day of perfect relaxation. Fore of the bar, a large Jacuzzi tub, surrounded by big sun pads and magnificent views, perfectly completes Ocean Paradise's impressive sun deck.

Ocean Paradise offers a complete array of luxurious amenities to successfully accommodate every company of charter guests. With her cool style she is never cold and always hospitable. Minimalistic but never boring, she welcomes her guests into an oasis of glamorous style, offering everybody onboard chic accommodation, spacious ambiance, ample amounts of luxury amenities and a few surprising design features. There simply couldn't be any other name more appropriate for her, other than Ocean Paradise.

Benetti Yachts

( www.benettiyachts.it )

Lürssen Yachts 85mt Solandge

Lürssen has commented on the successful launching and unveiling of project Niki, which will soon be named "Solandge". Yacht building means team-work and to execute such a big project, an excellent team is necessary. In this case the team consists of Richard Masters, the owner's project manager, exterior designer Espen Oeino, interior designer Aileen Rodriguez and of course the project team of Lürssen.

Lürssen confirms: "We are happy that we have met the high-end expectations from the Owner in terms of product quality and being able to stay within budget and on time. We are looking forward for Solandge to be delivered as scheduled and finding her place amongst her peers as being a remarkable statement in large yacht construction, based on an excellent design and excellent engineering skills."

Espen Oeino has given Solandge very harmonious proportions and with a length of 85.10 m and a beam of 13.80 m she boasts extraordinary volumes. Accommodating all of the owner’s requirements she still maintains sleek and very elegant lines, which are underlined by her dark blue hull.

Interior designer Aileen Rodriguez explains what enhances Solandg's luxurious style: "The interior has classical touches with a contemporary back drop, making it a transitional interior. The unique mix of rare and striking materials gives the yacht its ultimate look and luxurious style."

Master Yachts have implemented their personalized project management style by placing a permanent onsite project manager and bringing the owner's crew into the build team. The expertise is applied to the entire process through to delivery and preparation for the ongoing operational life of the vessel. Solandge will be an exciting addition to the global charter fleet, she represents the very latest in high-end luxury cruising. With her experienced charter crew she will without doubt provide the ultimate experience to remember.

Richard Masters, the Owner’s representative and CEO of Master Yachts said “It was a pleasure to work with Lürssen, exterior designer Espen Oeino Design, Rodriguez Interiors and Dolker&Voges in a creative and solution orientated environment. Always striving to give the Owner his dream, with her striking exterior lines and her unique Interior”.

A Lürssen spokesperson also said “For us as shipbuilders the launch of Solandge is a key milestone, we can now finally fully appreciate her well-proportioned looks as she sits comfortably in her element. The outcome is fantastic and Lürssen is proud of building her together with an excellent team, Richard Masters, Espen Oeino Design, Aileen Rodriguez and all other related parties. Executing projects in large yacht building means team-work and this was truly achieved here. We are happy that we have met the high-end quality expectations from the Owner in terms of product quality and being able to stay within budget and on time. We are looking forward for M.Y.Solandge to be delivered as scheduled and finding her place amongst her peers as being a remarkable statement in large yacht construction, based on excellent design creation and engineering skills”.

Exterior designer, Espen Oeino also mentions, “Espen Oeino International is proud to have been involved with the planning and design of project Niki. Throughout the design and development period Espen Oeino International was working closely with the Owner, the team from Master Yachts and Lürssen developing the design to reflect the Owner's vision for the yacht. The result is one we all feel we can be proud of".

Boasting extraordinary volumes, the interior designer of Solandge Aileen Rodriguez, explains what enhances her luxurious style “The interior has Classical touches with a contemporary back drop, making it a transitional Interior. The unique mix of rare and striking materials gives the yacht its ultimate look and luxurious style. There is a celebration of more than five Artisans, with 49 stone selections and 33 exotic woods from across the world that contribute to her fascinating style”.

Upon being given the New Build management task of the vessel in 2011, Master Yachts implemented their personalised project management style at Lürssen Kröger-Werft by placing a permanent onsite Project Manager and bringing the Owner’s crew into the build team. The project manager of M.Y. Solandge was fully supported logistically and technically by the Master Yachts new build team members throughout Europe. Master Yachts were then able to closely monitor every stage of the project ensuring efficiency and quality while minimising impact on cost and schedule in meeting all the Owner’s needs. This expertise is applied to the entire process through to delivery and preparation for the ongoing operational life of the vessel.

M.Y Solandge will be an exciting addition to the global charter fleet, she represents the very latest in highend luxury cruising and conveys a sense of power and sophistication that is echoed throughout every aspect of her design.

Moran Yacht & Ship sold the project, and wrote the complete technical specification for the vessel. M.Y Solandge, with her experienced and very well-known charter crew, will without doubt provide the ultimate experience to remember. She starts her life in the Caribbean this winter 2013/14.

Lürssen Yachts

( www.lurssen.com )

VSY 72mt Stella Maris

Stella Maris is striking in appearance, but her beauty is much more than skin deep. In fact, the yacht is so cerebral that many of her technical achievements, let alone evolutionary systems nuances, are lost to the almost overwhelming physicality of her spaces. At 72.1 metres and 2,114 gross tonnes, Stella Maris is the largest custom superyacht to date from the young Italian yard VSY. It had a very particular vision for a yacht that could be used for all seasons, could incorporate a fully certified helideck and would establish volume, privacy and lifestyle ‘beyond luxury’. The result is daring and innovative.

Drawn by Espen Øino, her lines are radical to some degree, barely hinting at the split deck arrangement of her interior, but instantly proclaiming the supremacy of glass. The idea, says Øino, was to ‘hit the perfect balance between form and function, innovation and technology, comfort and aesthetics’. Her bold, masculine hull colour, DuPont Metallic Grey, balances the height of the topsides with the off-white superstructure. In cooperation with Laurent Giles Naval Architects, Øino has exploited that 2,114 gross tonne hull to its limits, allowing for vast areas, pushing the yard further than it has dared go before.

One expects to see evolution aboard the third yacht delivered by a yard – she follows Candyscape II and RoMa – but with Stella Maris the change is more revolutionary than evolutionary. It started, as Øino says, with a blank sheet of paper and a design brief for numerous floor-to-ceiling windows, 2.7 metre interior headroom and a commercial helideck. The trick would be to make it look right. Øino’s plan, enthusiastically supported by VSY, was to make the helipad a feature rather than to try to disguise it. The tip-off that it exists is that the yacht’s decks don’t inset as they go up – in fact, the helipad itself actually extends outboard of her profile.

The scale of the undertaking is impressive indeed: Stella Maris is only the fourth yacht to achieve certification by the world-leading Helideck Certification Agency (HCA). At 72 metres, she is also one of the smallest superyachts to have obtained it, without making any compromises – especially in terms of security. Guests can fly in and out, day or night, whether with side landings or those practiced by the Royal Navy. Moreover, the helideck and adjacent sun deck are can host a dinner for 100 people.

The yacht’s most arresting features, at least in profile, are the two huge glass-walled aft saloons on her main and upper decks, sitting right below the helipad. The design, engineering and classification for this feature took nearly two years, yet it is so seamless that when a guest steps aboard, he or she is unlikely to wonder how it is possible for such a light and airy unbroken structure to be under a fire zone and a 2.9-tonne helicopter. Knowing that there would be so much glass in the boat from day one, VSY set up a multi-disciplinary approach to structure, vibration and acoustics – smart, as the main saloon and its starboard side greenhouse also sit atop the engine room. The glass walls are sandwich construction for UV and acoustic protection. Staggered decks – six forward and five aft of amidships – actually allow the loads to be distributed quite handily without the need for obtrusive support columns.

VSY had a specific noise target in mind: silence, which was quantified as 46 decibels at 15.5 knots in sea state 2. Because glass can amplify the resonance of the engines, VSY contracted Joe Smullin of Soundown, a US-based acoustic expert. Working with glass specialists, the yard engineered each glass panel specifically for its location.

The main deck amidships is where architectural integrity meets industrial, and where there is so much light and height it stops you in your tracks. The yacht is anchored around a vertical core, which is where all the circulation happens for guests or crew, who also have a superb network of access corridors. This central circulation zone links the spaces fore and aft, port and starboard and vertically around a glass lift wrapped by a wide and gentle staircase. It isn’t a lift in the technical sense with a car that goes up and down; rather a platform slides up and down in a glass tube. The doors are not on the lift, but alternate on the tube at each floor landing due to the staggered decks that would be impossible to manage with a car.

The staggered decks accomplish a couple of things. On one hand, they keep guests from having to huff and puff up a full flight of stairs without a landing, and they also accommodate the fact that while the saloons aft have that magnificent 2.7-metre height, the cabin areas forward are 2.3 metres. Øino’s particular genius was in masking this on the profile.

The two aft saloons are opposites of each other in concept. On the lower of the decks, the sensation is of being inside and looking out through the full-length windows to the arrival deck. At the swipe of a touchscreen, the aft seating and bar area can be opened to the outdoors, as glass panels melt away and hidden panels deploy to surround and divide the interior dining area. On the deck above, the theory is reversed with the dining table aft and open to the elements, until glass panels are locked into place to create a winter garden, which opens to a seating area farther forward.

‘The design of this project/yacht is all about extending the seasons,’ says VSY. ‘You don’t even have to move [the boat] to the tropics for winter because the windows keep it from feeling dark and all the indoor/outdoor spaces can be heated or air-conditioned.’

With the biggest luxury the sense of spaciousness, interior designer Michela Reverberi took care not to clutter it with too many things. Even the dining tables are glass to keep them from obscuring the view. One easily overlooked stylistic detail is the saloon lighting, which floods the room with slivers of surprisingly warm-toned, edge-lit LED light, set into the intersection of mullions and overhead beams like glowing L-brackets. ‘In the daytime you have such strong side light coming through the windows, so I wanted a bit of continuity by shooting the light out into the room sideways rather than just having all down-lighting,’ says Reverberi.

The forward part of the main deck is given over to the guest suites: four doubles and two twins. Almost identical in layout, their differences lie mainly in the choice of furnishings and fabrics, meaning that particularly on charter, guests won’t be arguing about who gets which cabin.

The next deck up houses the bridge forward, fitted out with equipment worthy of commercial ships cleverly integrated into a smart leather dashboard, with each of the screens housed in stainless steel casings. Kongsberg K-Bridge was chosen for the electronic charting system, radars and autopilot and a Rolls-Royce system for the variable pitch propellers. From a further three dedicated screens aft of the smart Foglizzo leather bridge chairs the first engineer can monitor the components that make up the workings of the yacht. The command centre ship’s office and captain’s cabin are separated from the aft lounge by a full-beam gym with sliding doors to allow a breeze to sweep through.

Above the bridge is the owner’s deck. From the guest lobby a silently operated panel door reveals a small lobby with an office/day room to starboard. Ahead is a central dressing room with floor-to-ceiling wardrobes and a huge Ottoman flanked by two stylish Brazilian blue marble bathrooms port and starboard. Forward are the modest-sized sleeping quarters where light streams in from a semicircle of floor-to-ceiling windows. Doors on either side lead to a private deck, and because of the large angled overhead eyebrows on each deck, the owners can enjoy complete privacy as well as an unblemished view of the horizon from the bed.

The tender garage on the lower deck is one of those evolutionary steps for the shipyard. ‘This tender bay is completely watertight and self contained,’ says VSY. ‘Below the teak floor is a sump tank, totally separate from the rest of the hull, the bilges and the beach club aft.’ (The tender bay is four steps lower than the level of the beach club aft or the engine room forward.) If water washes into the garage, it is picked up by four centrifugal pumps capable of removing eight tonnes of water in three minutes. The entire tender bay is finished to a high standard and the tenders rest on removable chocks. With the shell doors open and railings in place, it makes a unique party spot, particularly so as a specially designed air-conditioning system with emphasis on dehumidifying the air keeps it from being clammy or musty and quickly dries the tenders and any wet teak decking.

The subtext of Stella Maris is future proofing. The vessel platform has been designed and engineered to comply with the Passenger Yacht Code for 13 to 36 passengers, should a future owner want to convert the gym into a pair of VIP cabins to create nine suites. There is sufficient crew accommodation and safety equipment compliance already. And the helipad can be upgraded to carry a nine-passenger bird.

Another element of future proofing is the yacht’s Centric system for monitoring and communication. VSY calls it the yacht’s neurological system. The entire operation runs on a fibre optic backbone, which easily can be tapped into, to add or change equipment or monitors. As it stands, the Centric system checks or monitors 2,400 ‘points’ on the yacht, which might be a door seal, the temperature of a cabin, the position of a valve or angle of the blades of the variable Rolls-Royce propellers. All data is available and can be called up in milliseconds in a hierarchy to answer questions or deliver commands. ‘It is efficient and seamless,’ says the yard. ‘Say, for example, that the guests have gone ashore and the captain wants to reduce demand on the air-conditioners and thus the generators. With one touch on the monitor, he calls up all the guest areas, taps the menu for temperature and with one tap raises the temperature setting throughout all the areas to 24 degrees. Did someone leave lights on in their cabin? Tap and they are out – no need to have crew check each cabin. Same thing when the guests call the tender to pick them up. One touch and all the cabins are returned to the previous temperature and ambient light is returned to all guest spaces.’

The system is also like an electronic butler. Guests access a menu of services and information from anywhere aboard. ‘It’s about exceeding expectations,’ the yard continues. ‘You wake up and think, “What are we doing today?” Tap the screen and it says the boat is en route to Cap Ferrat. We anchor at 1000. The tenders and jet skis will be in the water and available at 1020. The pool will be filled, heated and ready at 1040. Massage openings today are…. Would you like breakfast delivered to your cabin? You tap and down comes a menu of suggestions, and it asks what time you’d like it to appear. Your response is routed to the beeper of the right member of the crew.’

The advances don’t stop there. ‘Green’ isn’t just a buzzword to the shipyard – during the course of the yacht’s construction, VSY director Cristiana Longarini assembled an impressive group of scientists, environmentalists and maritime industry professionals for a workshop on yachting sustainability and bringing sustainability into shipyards. In fact, the VSY directives on environmental compliance and the certification standards it adheres to (such as ISO 14001) are remarkable. The yard was also the first European builder to sign the Wood Forever Pact with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, guaranteeing it will use only timber obtained in an ethical and environmentally sustainable way. ‘For VSY, sustainability is not a luxury but a responsibility – and represents a long-term commitment originally made when the shipyard opened and which will see it as an increasingly frontline leader in this field,’ says Mrs Longarini. ‘For us, sustainability means discovering new routes and – as history teaches – courage and passion alone redesign the maps necessary for new ways forward.

VSY has been active in this sense from the outset, equipping its yachts with various solutions aimed at reducing negative impact on the environment. Among these is the Green Anchoring System – dynamic positioning (DPS) – that can be used where traditional anchoring would damage the seabed and is therefore forbidden. DPS, along with advanced biological sewage treatment and double soot scrubbers on all exhausts, was what allowed Stella Maris to remain in the Cinque Terre National Park for the duration of her photo shoot, while Vienna Eleuteri, a scientist for environmental quality and sustainability, simultaneously conducted research.

Working with Kongsberg, renowned for DPS for the offshore oil and gas industry, VSY developed an integrated system to control the thrust of Voith and Schottel auxiliary thrusters to keep the yacht on station with an extremely tight tolerance of 30 centimetres. Critics of dynamic positioning say it can use a lot of fuel, and it’s true that in certain wind and sea conditions, precision comes with a price. But the captain can also tell the DPS it only has a certain amount of power to work with – for example, one generator – and the system will organise itself within that power limit to create a larger drift area.

Such a full volume yacht surprisingly has its quiet spaces – the best a hidden area on the top deck. Here, forward of the drama of two pools and the helideck is a semi-sheltered oasis, with huge lounges embraced by the stylised mast base. It is the perfect retreat at the top of the world – an apt metaphor for a yacht named Stella Maris.


VSY
( www.vsy.it )

Heesen Yachts 65mt Galactica Star

Heesen Yachts has announced that Galactica Star, the revolutionary 65m FDHF (Fast Displacement Hull Form) all-aluminium motor yacht, has successfully completed trials in the North Sea and exceeded the top speed demanded by contract by almost two knots!

The vessel left the Heesen Yachts facility in Oss and sailed some 150 kilometres, at an average speed of 10 knots, on the Maas river to Merwehaven (Rotterdam harbour). On the way she had to pass under nine bridges, some of them with a very small clearance such as Keizersveerbrug where the gap between the yacht and the bridge was just 40 centimetres. On Monday, 13th May the mast with all the navigation and communication equipment, which had been transported by barge, were installed.

The sea trials took place on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th May in typical North Sea conditions with an air temperature of 11 degrees Celsius, wind force oscillating from 4 to 5 Beaufort and waves one metre twenty centimetres high. Galactica Star exceeded the contractual speed (27 knots) and reached the remarkable official average top speed (at half load) of 28,8 knots. Her revolutionary Fast Displacement Hull Form, jointly developed with Van Oossanen Naval Architects, in combination with two MTU 20V4000M93L engines (each developing 4.300kW at 2.100 rpm) and Heesen’s expertise in weight reduction made this stunning result possible.

The vessel performed well in a seaway, moving through the water very smoothly, and was found to be extremely manoeuvrable. At high speeds, in comparison with traditional semi-displacement hull forms,Galactica Star, with her revolutionary FDHF has a much smaller stern wave, demonstrating that her motion through the water creates low resistance, in accordance with her designers’ predictions. Guests’ comfort on board is further guaranteed by five Sea Keeper gyro stabilizers.

Twelve guests can enjoy Galactica Star’s design some notable luxury features, such as a duplex beach club (located aft on the main and lower decks) with a 10 square meter side-balcony (on the port side) and a 22 square meter swimming platform. On the lower deck of the duplex beach club there are a sauna, hammam, shower room, day head and a fully equipped bar. Another notable feature is the glass bottom of the swimming-pool located on the main deck; this allows the natural light to glimmer through the water to the bar area beneath. On the fore deck, the large sunbathing area can be transformed into a touch-and-go heli-deck. The tender garages with gull-wing doors are also located beneath the fore deck.

Heesen Yachts is the first shipyard in the world to build a yacht featuring this innovative hull configuration using aluminium for both hull and superstructure. The Fast Displacement hull configuration is the perfect platform for creating a new luxury yacht generation where increased performance and reduced environmental impact begin with the hull design.

Heesen Yachts

( www.heesenyachts.nl )

Lürssen Yachts 180mt Project Azzam

Azzam is the largest luxury yacht in the world, followed by the 162.5m luxury yacht Eclipse. Her exterior lines were designed by Nauta Yacht Design and her interior was created by Christophe Leoni. Lurssen supplied the technical engineering of this remarkable yacht, with Engineer Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi assembling the team behind this project.

Eng. Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi assembled a world-class team which he personally directed in all areas of the development of this sophisticated project. Under his leadership the original concept of the yacht Project Azzam was developed starting with the overall requirements with regards to general layout, size and performance and exterior style.

His brief was to build a large luxury yacht with an innovative and timeless design that would be able to travel at high speed in warm and shallow waters, whilst providing luxurious and sophisticated accommodation to its guests.

Under the personal guidance of Eng. Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi, the technical engineering was developed by Lürssen, the exterior design by Nauta Yachts and the interior design by Christophe Leoni to create what is, without doubt, the most complex and challenging yacht which has ever been built.

The yacht AZZAM is breaking new grounds in terms of dimension, performance and technology. In addition to being the largest yacht in the world with a length of 180 meters and with a top speed of over 30 knots she adds another record in terms of building time. Lürssen Managing Partner Peter Lürssen proudly said: “When she will be delivered later this year, she will have been in build for only three years following one year of engineering.” ”She truly represents another milestone in not only our history but yachting history as well” he adds.
The design has strength of character and sense of purpose, yet has a timeless elegance, incorporating all the elements of visionary contemporary modern design.

Nauta CEO Mario Pedol stated: “When I first saw the scale model before the general presentation to the Principal, I was 100 % happy with the outcome and so was the Principal. Such recognition made me confident that we had achieved our goal”.

Under the direction of Eng. Mubarak Saad al Ahbabi the best solutions were found in order to satisfy the specific requirements with regards to design and technology and thereby creating a yacht that meets all the expectations. The end result is a truly sophisticated Super Mega Yacht.

Amongst many other features the Project Azzam yacht has a main salon with a lengths of 29 m and a beam of 18m with an open plan and no pillars. She will travel in excess of 30 knots, powered by a combination of 2 gas turbines and 2 diesel engines with a total of 94000 horse powers.
Burgess CEO Jonathan Beckett said: We are proud to be associated with this extraordinary and unique project as the Owners technical consultants. The construction of this yacht- with its highly complex technical features- has been extremely demanding and challenging. It has been a real team effort between all the professionals involved including ourselves, the builder and the designers.

The interior decoration of the superyacht AZZAM was undertaken by the renowned French designer Christophe Leoni who is proud to have been able to realize a sophisticated and luxurious interior in a turn of the century Empire style. “Though Yachting is not my main area of business, I thoroughly enjoyed the cooperation with Nauta and Lürssen and am confident that the final yacht is everything and more the owner expects.” he said.

Name: AZZAM
Loa: 180 m / 590’4’’
Beam: 20,8 m / 68’22’’
Draft: 4,3 m / 15’8”
Speed: > 30 knots

Builder: Lürssen Yachts
Exterior Designer: Nauta Yachts
Interior Designer: Christophe Leoni
Technical Project Manager: Burgess

Lürssen Yachts

( www.lurssen.com )