The 52-meter Broadwater (ex-Rasselas) is a classic Feadship yacht. She was launched in 1994 with exterior design by Frits De Voogt and an interior by John Munford. The new owner is a passionate devotee of classic Feadship design and felt Rasselas was one of the most beautiful yachts the shipyard had built. He wanted to give the yacht a new lease of life and bring her up to modern standards, though he wanted it done in a way that very carefully retained the original design’s DNA.
Broadwater became MCM’s biggest refit project. The yacht got a new hull colour – Flag Blue; a 4-metre stern extension was added to provide a beach club and swim platform (which everyone expects on a superyacht today but was not really thought about in 1994); and a new hardtop was built in carbon/GRP composites.
Talking about the interior, no area was left untouched. The master stateroom was completely gutted and is entirely new, but in other areas the raised panelling and joinery have been retained and painted to give the interior a much more contemporary feel than the original elegant, but rather dark, mahogany Englishman’s club look. The new design is airy and refined and draws on brushed European oak, black walnut, and fumed Eucalyptus, along with bronzed details and tactile leather, cashmere, silk, and wool textiles. The crew quarters were also revamped to bring them up to modern standards.
The designer, Adam Vorhees, is responsible for both the exterior and interior redesign.
Broadwater was re-delivered by Huisfit and left the facilities of Royal Huisman in Amsterdam for her Atlantic crossing in October 2020.
“We were fortunate to be working for an experienced owner. He had already refitted various yachts, including his previous Feadship, also called Broadwater, and understood the process. When I sometimes had to call him with less than stellar news, he would take it in stride, and I think it’s fair to say he’s overjoyed with the end result. He spent Thanksgiving on board in the US Virgin Island and was brimming with enthusiasm – so I would say his mission has been accomplished!” says owner’s representative Peter Wilson of MCM Newport.