After a major refit that lasted just nine months, Lusben has launched Masquenada, a 51m expedition yacht now owned by the fashion entrepreneur and great sailing enthusiast Pier Luigi Loro Piana. Masquenada was built in 2007 by Penglai.
The main focus was the external profile of the boat – based on the work of Nauta Design – which has been radically transformed and extended in the stern block, as well as the complete renovation of the interior and the repainting of the entire superstructure and part of the hull.
The main transformation that Masquenada underwent was the removal and extension of the entire stern block: in addition to the installation of a transformer that doubled the available surface of the beach area, the lengths of the bridge and upper deck were increased by 1.5 meters each. Lusben also removed the deck crane, left over from the boat’s previous vocation, from the main deck, and installed a new, powerful crane below deck in the lazarette. This was a tremendous intervention, which required a redistribution of space and storage. With the crane in rest position, this solution frees up an area of approximately 200 sq. m on the main deck.
Next, the exterior décor was completely overhauled to adapt to the wishes of the owner who, in addition to customized freestanding furniture, requested to remove the hot tub from the sun deck and replace it with an outdoor cooking station.
Mario Pedol, founder together with Massimo Gino of Nauta Design, worked with his team on the exterior design. He commented, "The profile of Masquenada is now much more sleek and elegant and, in redesigning the stern block, we have managed to improve the contact with the water and the liveability of this area, now transformed into a 'pieds dans l'eau'".
For the interiors, the owner has chosen to renew the collaboration with the architect Misa Poggi, who has been working with Loro Piana since 2002.
Great attention was also paid to the reduction of vibrations and noise: Lusben, Vulkan and the Names studio collaborated to create new custom supports for the three latest generation Kohler generators, including a double soundproofing box for the central generator, while the thruster and hydraulic stee-ring have been replaced by electric systems. New air conditioning units, converters and propellers help ensure high navigational standards.
The private ceremony was held in Livorno at the Lusben shipyard in the presence of her new owner. "The most important element of this entire project was time," said Pier Luigi Loro Piana in his speech at the launch. "Time is the most essential factor for an owner and I am enormously satisfied with the capacity of the Lusben shipyard which, together with all the collaborators, managed to complete this incredible transformation in just a few months. Now, the project for the immediate future is to embark with my family and sail around the world."
Lusben was founded in 1958 in Viareggio. The shipyard has over 60 years of experience in the yacht refit sector.
Credits: Lusben