Pushing the boundaries: Azimut Grande Trideck

Feadship premiered the concept yacht called Slice at the opening of the Monaco Yacht Show. A revolutionary 85-meter yacht tackles one of the biggest owner grievances in yacht design: long hallways, dark interiors and stacked living spaces. Engineered with a glass strip running entirely from bow to stern, allowing for natural light to filter in through multiple decks, Slice “turns the inside out and the outside in,” says Studio De Voogt Lead Designer Chris Bottoms and Head of Design Tanno Weeda. For this concept Feadship set out to completely reimagine a yacht from inside out. The designers sliced their CAD model right down the centreline and pushed the halves apart to make room for a strip of glass running from bow to stern. It is not glass alone, but glass overlaying a structural framework that lets natural light filter through multiple decks. It is a far more challenging plan than a series of skylights; it totally redefines the relationship between spaces throughout the interior of the yacht.The brief to the engineer and design team was to challenge the very zeitgeist of typical yacht layouts by investigating natural light and vertical spaces. More specifically, the brief asked for a linear ‘transition from the mountain to the sea’.Having a slice running down the middle opens up countless spatial and lighting possibilities. Corridors become so much more than just hallways transitioning from one space to another – they have their own purpose and become enjoyable spaces in their own right.The heart of the yacht is the 70 sq. m atrium at main deck level. Uninterrupted by a staircase, the atrium is more than a lobby but a destination in its own right for guests moving fore and aft. Its cascading circular balconies open a wide range of possibilities for lighting and art installations.A 10-meter-long pool designed using data science. Often used to determine hull efficiency, comfort at sea and at anchor calculations, the design team embraced data science to define the pool’s shape and placement of hidden dampers to conquer slosh. Similarly impressive is the use of ultra-high modulus material inspired by Formula 1’s research into high tensile carbon fiber. While F1’s high tensile carbon fiber wasn’t stiff enough for yachting needs, the De Voogt team worked with carbon fiber manufacturers to develop their own specific ultra-high modulus material. “The strips we bonded to the main girders of a wheelhouse deck are two times higher stiffness than steel but are lower in weight than aluminum.” The material is already being used in Feadship’s yards, giving the design team the confidence to integrate it into the atrium, multi-level walkways and the framework for the long glass insets on Slice’s top deck.Slice’s propulsion system will be powered by four dual-fuel generators which have been modified to run on both methanol and non-fossil diesel (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil – HVO) and the generated power will be delivered to two Azimuthing pods. The HVO is to be used as pilot fuel to assist with the combustion of the methanol. Due to the lack of worldwide supply points of methanol, a larger than required HVO capacity has been accommodated to increase the range of HVO-only sailing. This allows the methanol to be used sparingly when running low until the next methanol supply point is reached and also enables global cruising. The option of replacing one of the generators with methanol fuel cells exists, which would generate power to contribute to the hotel load of the vessel. A battery array, supplied with power from both generators, and the fuel cells allows for low speed, silent cruising and for peak shaving of the generators.To conceptualize Slice’s interior, Feadship turned to Dutch designer Marco van Ham and asked him to avoid teak entirely. Instead, Van Ham and his team brought in a palette of backlit marbles and onyx, surfaces formed of liquid metals, silver leaf, shagreen, straw marquetry and even pyrite with juxtapositions of shiny and matte surfaces. Warm neutral fabrics evoke a spirit of calm relaxation. Undulating lines inform the floors and most of the furniture reflects organic shapes and is kept low to avoid obscuring views. What you won’t find on the concept for Slice’s interior are squared off doors and box-like rooms.With Slice, Feadship wanted a yacht that specifically addressed a recurring owner request: an open and private aft pool and sundecks with sea views and out of sight of passers-by and deliverymen while moored in port. Slice delivers on this with a fully engineered passerelle and watertight forward entrance so it can be moored bow-in. At the touch of a button, a full-height section of the stem at main deck level hinges open and a passerelle deploys, guests make a short walk from the quay, disappear into the privacy and security of the interior and arrive first a welcome area forward of the yacht’s tender bays.Feadship was formed as a group in 1949 as a marketing partnership between six Dutch shipyards, de Vries Lentch, Van de Stadt, Witsen & Vis, Akerboom, De Vries Scheepsbouw and Van Lent Shipyard, and De Voogt Naval Architects. Feadship is well-known as one of the Netherlands’ most elite yacht builders and delivers superyachts from 50–100+ meters in length.Credits: Feadship

At today's Closing Press Conference of the 62nd Genoa International Boat Show journalists heard the closing statements. The six-day event saw 168 events including conventions, seminars, technical workshops, conferences, presentations, and 4,463 sea trials."This has been not only an incredible Boat Show, but above all an efficient one: in an exceptional moment for the yachting industry, having grown by 31.1%, with a turnover of € 6.1 billion and a workforce growing by 9.7%, visitors have increased by 10.7% since last year to an impressive 103,812 (as recorded at 11.00 am this morning), and all contracts have been closed," says Saverio Cecchi, President of the Italian Marine Industry Association and I Saloni Nautici."The results have exceeded all expectations and, in addition to the success achieved in terms of the public and businesses, the city has been able to open up and function as a place of high-quality hospitality and entertainment. The next step will be in June 2023 when, on the new Eastern Waterfront which is currently taking shape, Genoa will be the final stage of The Ocean Race. This is a sport in which there is always a finish line: for us, the one shared with the Italian Marine Industry Association and the Saloni Nautici will be the new ten-year agreement starting in 2024, which will include all new exhibition areas," comments Marco Bucci, The Mayor of Genoa.The President of the Liguria Regional Council, Mr Giovanni Toti: "What makes me proud today is not only the number of visitors who came to enjoy the Genoa Boat Show but the rate of growth recorded for employment throughout the entire industry. This is an economy that works, an economy that makes dreams come true, and the Genoa International Boat Show is its focal point. Just like the new Eastern Waterfront, Italy's largest urban regeneration site, the Show is the dream of a better city becoming a reality."Credits: Genoa International Boat Show

Victory Design will be attending the Monaco Yacht Show and will be premiering its new Bolide 170: a 50m hyperyacht resulting from the experience of founder Brunello Acampora and his team of international designers and engineers.Bolide 80 - a full-carbon masterpiece, with custom reinforcements by Microtex and structural cores by Diab – is the first Hyper Muscle Yacht, it can travel in total comfort and safety at a cruising speed of over 55 knots with sprint speeds of up to 75 knots, powered by MAN diesel engines supplied by Ranieri & Tonissi, Victory's technological partner. A full-carbon Bolide 80, currently under in-house construction with the collaboration of Persico Marine and with the supervision of engineer Eugenio Voltolina.Bolide 170, the Human Machine Interface HMI is very well thought out, with technology partners such as Boening and Xenta. The yacht will offer easy handling even at 70 knots, which is the top speed envisaged for the version with turbines and electric motors. It is a Formula 1 range, but easy and safe to drive, achieving high performance with reduced fuel consumption per mile: by 50% compared to yachts of the same length, thanks to its technological assets. The new design of the Bolide 170 was studied by Victory's engineers, both in the multi-motor diesel version, with sprint speeds of up to 50 knots, and in a special hybrid version with four gas turbines and electric motors, capable of reaching over 70 knots.The diesel version features a light alloy hull and a carbon fiber superstructure; thanks to the modular use of the propulsion apparatus composed of six 2,200 hp MAN engines, in an unprecedented "triple staggered" geometry, two electric motors and a T-Drive by Flexitab & TS propulsion system with six surface propellers, without the installation of generators. The version with four gas turbines, on the other hand, features a composite hull and a hybrid electric apparatus with a latest-generation battery pack.The layout of the Bolide 170 consists of large open spaces designed for everyday living in osmosis with the sea and the surrounding nature.In addition to the owner's suite, there are four guest cabins and a large crew area. The generous interior spaces are designed to encourage conviviality, while meticulously preserving privacy, with dedicated pathways for the owner and his guests, respecting the needs of the crews.Architect Stefano Faggioni has teamed up with the Victory team to recreate the elegance of Italian design. At the stern, the beach club is larger than other boats of a similar size, with folding terraces, transformers, and a 'bord de mer' swimming pool that joins the one located in the bow solarium, above the tender and toys area.Brunello Acampora was founded 33 years ago and has always been engaged in R&D, which it then transfers to production. Brunello Acampora is an Italian with an Anglo-Saxon background, he studied Yacht & Boat Design at Southampton's Solent University, adheres to the concept of "total design", a vision of design as a moment of synthesis between art, science and technology in which functionality and performance go hand in hand with the elegance of shapes and with the owner's experience.Credits: Victory Design

On September 24, the hull and superstructure of YN 20150, code-named Oslo24 were joined, following the installation of the two MTU 8V 4000 M63 IMO III diesel engines. The owners, keen sailors, selected the Heesen hybrid propulsion system, for the silent cruising at up to 8.5 knots. “We are delighted that everything is on track with Oslo24,” says owner’s representative Stefan Zucker. “Her owners are proud and happy, having watched their yacht progress through every step of the construction so far with the closest attention. We are all looking forward to the next milestone.”Based on the design of Heesen's 50-meter steel series, with flowing lines by Clifford Denn, Project Oslo24 is the true expression of her owners' yachting knowledge and experience. Every aspect of their boat speaks of their close involvement and profound understanding of life at sea. "Working with such passionate clients who enjoy every step in the construction of their yacht is a true blessing. Their extensive knowledge and genuine interest in the technology and craftsmanship that go into their yacht are a source of inspiration for our entire team. We were delighted by their presence at the marriage of the hull and superstructure, an important step in every yacht’s build,” comments Rick van de Wetering, Heesen’s COO.Project Oslo24 is scheduled for delivery in March 2024.Heesen Yachts is a Dutch ship building company that specializes in custom-built superyachts in aluminum and steel from 30m to 70m in size. Founded in 1978, it has launched more than 170 yachts since its inception.Credits: Ruben Griffioen/Heesen Yachts

Arcadia Yachts will choose the 24m Mabelle to exhibit at the 2022 Monaco Yacht Show, dedicated to superyachts, in Port Hercule from September 28 to October 1. Mabelle is a refined Sherpa 80 with a custom layout and décor. Key features include the winter garden on the aft deck, a multi-function zone designed to be enjoyed at any time of year, with sliding doors and windows so that the area can be fully closed off and heated or cooled. 24 meters long and 7 meters in the beam, the Mabelle was built for a couple of Italian owners with many years’ experience in the world of sailing yachts, which is reflected in the interior decor, with its very marine atmosphere and soft colors – alternating between white and various light blues, including a dusty shade – alluding to the sober elegance of a mega sailer yet at the same time with the refined coziness of a home in the Hamptons or Maine.“Monaco is the ideal showcase for exhibiting a boat that expresses the very essence of Arcadia Yachts. This Sherpa 80 was built down to the smallest detail with the desires and tastes of the owners in mind, so that it fully reflects their personality,” commented Ugo Pellegrino, sole director of the Campania-based yard. Launched this summer on the beautiful Sorrento coast, Mabelle has four large cabins and above all offers guests over 200 sq. m of indoor and outdoor space to enjoy at any time of day, with maximum levels of comfort and breathtaking views from every deck. Watertoys and tender are stowed in the side-launching garage, meaning there is great freedom of movement in the exceptionally spacious lazarette.On the aft deck, there is a “winter garden”, a convertible space with sliding glass doors aft and on either side so that the dining area can be closed off and heated or cooled. When closed off, this dining zone forms a single area with the skylounge, which can be converted for different uses at different times of day, not least thanks to the up and down windows. The engine room houses a pair of Volvo Penta IPS 1350s, ensuring a range of over 1,200 nautical miles, a top speed of 23 knots and a cruising speed of 10 knots.Arcadia Yachts is based in Naples, Italy. Since 2008, Arcadia Yachts has been building semi-custom luxury composite yachts and has succeeded in perfectly integrating artisanal craftsmanship, modern technologies, attention to detail and to the surrounding environment. The Arcadia Yachts fleet has included two ranges since September 2016. The shipyard’s first and most characterizing range is the A range, which includes 4 models (A85, A85s, A105 and A115). The Sherpa range has a new model, the 24m Sherpa XL, which was launched at the 2019 Cannes Yachting Festival. Credits: Arcadia Yachts