Al Waab received the Judges’ Commendation Award for “Displacement Motor Yachts 499GT and below, 45m and above” category at the World Superyacht Awards 2022 in London.
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 Gökhan Çelik, Alia President. “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.”
The amount of space and the flow of the layout were crucial to the owner's enjoyment of his yacht. With design and naval architecture by Vripack and GCC-based SF Yachts serving as the owner’s representative during the build, maximizing the available volume and guaranteeing comfort were key considerations.
The clean and modern exterior is matched by the contemporary yet evergreen interior design. 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.
Glass is also a central element in the design. 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.
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 sleep up to 12 guests in six staterooms, including a lavish split-level master suite on the upper deck with a private 4-meter pool on the foredeck.
A sprawling beach club in the stern is another key feature. Moreover, by placing the tender bay in a sunken deck in the bow the tenders are easily accessible yet hidden from view.
Despite her generous volume and a top speed of 13.5-14 knots, Al Waab’s twin Caterpillar C18 (725hp/533 kW) diesel engines burn 35% less fuel than similar-sized yachts.
Even before her delivery Al Waab was making waves and a 60-meter project currently in build at the Alia shipyard reunites the Vripack and SF Yachts teams.
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 sq. m, including three construction halls with their suites of specialist workshops and a dedicated interiors facility. With an additional 16,000 sq. m under development for 2019, Alia Yachts will rank among the top facilities in the region.
Credits: Pozitif Studio/Alia Yachts