Construction work on the new 72-metre S701, designed by Francesco Paszkowski and now christened Solo, is approaching completion at the Tankoa shipyard in Genoa. On schedule for her late July launch, Solo, will make her international debut at the 2018 Monaco Yacht Show.
Work in progress to date
- Painting of hull: completed
- Painting of superstructure: 95% completed
- Glass installation: 90 % completed
- Laying of teak deck and fittings on sun deck: 90% completed
- Outfitting of owner’s deck: 40% completed
- Outfitting of upper deck (wheelhouse, radio room, captain’s cabin, massage room, upper deck salon): 50% completed. The yacht will be ‘Paperless Bridge’ (ECDIS) compliant according to
regulations entering into force in July 18.
- Supporting structure for the floating floor on the lower and main decks: completed
- Outfitting of main deck cabins and VIP suites, incl. main salon and cinema room: 70% completed
- Outfitting of lower deck crew quarters and services areas: 90% completed
- Outfitting of tank deck technical spaces, garbage room and laundry: 75-80% completed
- Stainless steel fittings (cleats, fairleads, anchor pockets, railing): 80% completed and ready for
installation. Nearly all the usual stainless-steel railings have been substituted with glass for better
visibility and aesthetic enhancement.
- Pool on aft deck and private Jacuzzi on owner’s deck ready for operation.
- Pool on fly deck ready for painting.
- Engine room: 70% completed incl. drive shafts installation, stabilisers and bow thruster. Props and
stabiliser ins will be mounted prior to launching.
- Exterior ceiling panels completed and ready for installation.
- AV room: 95% completed. Entertainment/communication/domotic systems ready for installation of
all components.
- Mast ready for installation once the yacht leaves the build shed.
The Dream Mansion
Although reminiscent of the 69-meter Suerte (S693), Solo is 3 m longer with a larger volume at 1,600 + GRT. Other key differences include underwater exhausts allowing for a substantial gain of volume on all decks and a larger winter garden; larger aft deck with 6-meter transversal pool, glass bulwarks sections for unobstructed sea views; and a wide body upper deck allowing for an oversized panoramic salon. The longer waterline also provides for a higher top speed in excess of 17.5 knots.
Solo has accommodations for 12 guests in six cabins, including the master suite on the private owner's deck, a VIP suite, two doubles and two twins. NB, the hair dressing/massage room and the owner’s study can also be converted in additional cabins as they are both equipped with a full bathroom. The Vip and Guest cabins are all on the main deck.
The beach club is a spacious and welcoming space with sofa, bar, TV, oversized glass walled gym with fold-out terrace, bathroom, sauna (also fitted with its own fold-out terrace) and hammam.
The upper deck houses the wheelhouse with radio room, captain’s cabin, and a hair dressing/massage room that can be converted in an extra cabin. The aft section features an enormous observation lounge/salon with floor-to-ceiling windows, 90” 4K QLED TV screen, baby grand piano, bar and fireplace.
The fully private owner’s deck has direct access from the touch-and-go helideck aft (rated at 4.5 tons for an Augusta 109 or most twin turbine helicopters). This exterior deck is also equipped with its own Jacuzzi, bar, salon, breakfast corner and day head with shower.
Inside, the owner’s apartment features an owner studio/media room that can be converted into an additional cabin with bathroom. The island bed is surrounded by full-height windows for 180° views. With direct access to two intimate side exterior saloon, shaded sun pads and the Jacuzzi with its sky shower.
Tenders and toys storages are split between the foredeck and a twin side-loading garage, providing room for two 7.5m tenders, rescue boat and PWCs. The under lower deck is devoted to laundry room, pump room, storage, fridge and freezer, garbage treatment and cold room and technical spaces.
On the future of solo
Sales and Marketing Director of Tankoa and board member Michel Karsenti recently commented on the present and the future of Solo:
“The owner is a truly experienced boat lover. This is his second build with Tankoa and his wish is now to put Solo on the market for sale and build a new Tankoa, probably larger. It is surely rewarding for all of us at Tankoa to see a client who basically has very little time to enjoy his boat considering his hectic business life but enjoys the construction and creation process so much.
As much as we would like to see the client enjoy his boat, we are truly happy to have developed such trustful relationship with such knowledgeable client. Solo will be exhibited in Monaco and will surely sale quickly as she is an exceptional yacht that will demonstrate that Tankoa is the alternative to Northern European shipyard to build a high-quality yacht at reasonable cost and extreme flexibility.
But overall, the most amazing factor between his previous yacht, Suerte and the new one, Solo, is the countless number of technical details that have been improved. The interior is also very different with all seats and tables by Fendi Casa. I am pretty sure Solo, like Vertige, will have a big impact on the market at the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show.”
A word from the owner's rep
Solo is destined for charter and the owner’s brief called for a circulation plan that allowed the crew to work completely independently from the owner and guest areas for maximum privacy. He further requested a décor that is modern, elegant and warm. Both the GA and décor are the result of a collaborative effort by Francesco Paszkowski and Margherita Casprini.
Acting as build engineer and owner’s representative, Albert McIlroy has monitored the construction process throughout:
“I can now really feel the shipyard is truly backed up by the experience of Tankoa’s managers and technical office and the guys are raising the bar of quality and engineering yacht after yacht,” says McIlroy, who has built a number of yachts in North European shipyards. “Edoardo Ratto, the General Manager, is also deeply involved in bringing the latest technologies on board and is really giving me a hand with this. Even more than Tankoa’s previous projects, I feel that everything is organized and timed to stick to contractual delivery schedules. Time management and operation processes are
paramount for the team here and there is no room for improvisation, despite the great deal of flexibility they provide when needed. As I tell my colleagues, working with Tankoa is like being in northern Europe, but you also have the world’s best cuisine!”