Longest steel and aluminum yacht below 500GT in the world, Al Waab, has been delivered by Antalya based Alia Yachts. Al Waab offers a whopping 42% more exterior space (including storage for two tenders) and 8% more interior space than comparable yachts on the market.
“Yachts are getting longer and wider, but owners still want to stay below the 500GT mark,” says Alia President, Gökhan Çelik. “We’ve seen increasing interest in this kind of yacht and to be one of the first with such an impressive project is an important milestone for Alia.”
Main saloon
The design and naval architecture is made by Vripack and GCC- based SF Yachts. The amount of space and the flow of the layout were crucial to the owner's enjoyment of his yacht. Virtual reality was used early on in the project to optimize the space planning and ergonomic layout to create an open-plan, owner-centric general arrangement designed for easy, restful, family living.
Main saloon
The clean and modern exterior is matched by the contemporary interior. The owner wanted to avoid bright direct light, hence the diffused lighting throughout the vessel with soft, muted beams. Matt-finished bamboo slats on the ceiling help to absorb the natural sunlight flooding through the large floor-to-ceiling windows by day.
A key feature is the gold, illuminated wall installation with integrated crystals in the stairwell that covers all three decks. The other central design element is the amount of glass. The result is uninterrupted sight lines and a seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces. Glass bulwarks on all decks provide uninterrupted outboard views and large outdoor areas for guests to enjoy the vistas in a private and comfortable setting.
Owner suite
Other features include a drop-down bulwark in the dining area, which replaces the traditional formal dining room with an al fresco breakfast area just two meters above the water on the starboard main deck. Much of the onboard seating is designed to face outboard for a true connection with the sea.
The yacht can accommodate up to 12 guests across six staterooms, which is rare on a 499GT yacht. The lavish split-level master suite is located on the upper deck and has a private four meter pool on the foredeck.
A sprawling beach club in the stern is another highlight. Moreover, by placing the tender bay in a sunken deck in the bow the tenders are easily accessible yet hidden from view.
The grated ‘tween deck arrangement provides storage for two tenders, a pair of jet skis and other water toys, but because it is not an enclosed space it is not included in the yacht's overall volume.
Al Waab’s twin Caterpillar C18 (725hp/533 kW) diesel engines burn 35% less fuel than similar-sized yachts. The yacht has a top speed of 12.5 knots.
Alia Yachts was founded in 2008 by Gokhan Çelik and Omer Koray. Located in the port of Antalya on the beautiful Turkish Riviera, Alia Yachts shipyard currently occupies approximately 8,000 m2, including three construction halls with their suites of specialist workshops and a dedicated interiors facility. With an additional 16,000 square meters under development for 2019, Alia Yachts will rank among the top facilities in the region.
Credits: Alia Yachts