THE SUPERYACHT LIFE
Take to the Pacific Ocean in style on one of these magnificent superyachts recommended by passionate seafarer Robyn Tucker-Peck.
“Water is life. All life comes from the ocean. Water sustains us, divides us and connects us. Water love leads to a deeper understanding of who we are and how we are shaped by our interaction with the most prevalent substance on our planet,” Andrew Ciccone recently wrote in his renowned blog watercheck.biz, adding, “instinctively we realise that being by water makes us healthier, happier and brings us peace.”
What is water to you? Water to me is where I find peace, and happiness. Whether it is the ocean, a stream, a lake, a pool or a waterfall, once I am immersed in it, I feel freedom and pure joy.
It is not surprising, then, that I love any floating object that can exist on the water, whether it be yachts, boats, lie-lows, canoes, houseboats, floating restaurants, float planes, piers or any other structure. Combine the ocean with civilised living on the water for a yacht, or even better, superyacht, and I’m in heaven.
SAILING THE PACIFIC
The Asia Pacific is strategically suited for yachting with exotic volcanic islands, natural reefs, white sand beaches, stunning coastlines and abundant seas. Experiencing coves and inlets at different locations up and down the coast and mooring at different harbours gives you an opportunity to enjoy the unique settings offered by that country. Traveling by yacht gives you the best of both worlds, the ability to be outside surrounded by the ocean with the fresh air blowing on your face while lying on the sunny deck, or to be inside with a cold drink being lulled by the slow rock of the ocean waves and the hum of the engines. Sleeping on a yacht is cosy and adventurous with a distinct feeling of being alone in the middle of the ocean, far away from the constraints of land, people, the bustle of the city and the routine of day to day life. Viewing the land from the sea gives you a completely different perspective. For me, it instills serenity and silence like nothing else.
Modern yachts are like floating condos, a personalised cruise with no one else to interact with. You can buy your own yacht, charter one or build your own customised version. They come in different lengths and widths, so depending on your budget, size is totally your choice.
For charters there are many companies who offer this fabulous service, which usually comes with a captain and full crew. All your meals are cooked and served, the cabins are cleaned, and the yacht is operated and maintained by the captain and crew. It’s a hotel on water.
Charter the Palmer Johnson DB9
The Palmer Johnson DB9 can accommodate 12 guests and has five cabins (three doubles and two twins) with a bed configuration of three king size beds and four singles. The length of the yacht is 52.36 metres, the draft is 2.44 metres and beam is 9.50 metres. With an onboard crew of 11, three separate pool areas include an 8m swimming pool with loungers for soaking up the sunshine. A fabulous open-air cinema on the sundeck, meanwhile, provides entertainment in the evening.
Air conditioning, a must in the tropics, along with a jacuzzi, a gym and onboard wifi give passengers their perfect personal space while being connected to the outside world. The DB9 can cruise at 24 knots or at its maximum 32.5 knots, which is approximately 37 miles per hour or 60 kilometres per hour.
This sleek luxurious yacht with sweeping curves and champagne exterior was designed by Italian studio Nuvolari & Lenard. The DB9 exterior and interior sets a highly styled exterior and an elegant modern interior with spacious contemporary living space pairing neutral furnishings with polished wood panelling plus metal accents for a touch of modern chic. superyachtsmonaco.com
Go large with Sunseeker
Sunseeker is one of the world’s leading brands for luxury performance motor yachts. From its manufacturing base in Poole in Dorset on the south coast of England, Sunseeker’s dedicated design & technology centre integrates every detail of the yachts from the initial concept designs through to the finishing details including furniture, complex electrical systems, helm consoles and soft furnishings.
Demand for the company’s larger models continues to grow year-on-year with more than 130 yachts over 100 feet in length already delivered. Looking for something highly personalised? Then check out the company’s bespoke customisation service.
Based on the classic Sunseeker deep V hull, the 131 is a large tri-deck yacht equally comfortable operating at 10 knots for an extended cruising range of 1,500 nautical miles or at 23 knots for ultimate performance. At 131 feet (40 metres) this is one of their largest models. Sean Robertson, sales director at Sunseeker International says: “The 131 Yacht really builds on the success of our proven superyacht platform, adding more technical innovation, more advanced features and contemporary layouts that can be tailored in every way to meet the needs of our most discerning customers. The first five of these stunning yachts have already been sold to clients from all over the world, underlining the strong demand and global appeal we’re seeing for this exciting new evolution in design.” sunseeker.com
Embrace Benetti’s Chic European style
Italy’s oldest shipyard, Benetti, was established in 1873 and specialises in luxury yachts. Each is unique, created according to the desires of the owner, with the quality, expertise and reliability of a shipyard that has built more than 400 vessels. Benetti designs, builds and markets composite, steel and aluminium yachts from 29 to 45 metres in length, and steel and aluminium yachts from 45 to over 100 metres in length.
One of its many yachts is Seasense, a 67-metre custom yacht, whose elegant, original exteriors were created by Dutch designer Cor D. Rover. On the main deck is a surprising 10 x 4m swimming pool with a large sunbathing area, which can be covered to form a free deck space for use as a basketball court. A standout detail is the teak planking, which is laid sideways rather that lengthways as is usually the case.
Like the layout of the outdoor areas, the interiors comfortably accommodate 12 guests in six suites. The interior layout on the main deck is a truly original solution. The salon, which is accessed directly from the indoor-outdoor area, is a fully-fledged living/screening room with armchairs and a large L-shaped sofa, commissioned by the owner for his family. It also has access to the lobby and grey Antartide marble spiral staircase, featuring under-step lighting and a blue wooden structure with steel inserts that flow with the dynamic progression of the stairway.
Seasense adopts a classic approach, with a displacement hull powered by two Caterpillar engines delivering 1,380 kW each, ensuring performance in line with this type of boat and maximum comfort. In this configuration, Seasense has a top speed of 15.5 knots, with a range of 5,000 nautical miles at a speed of 12 knots. benettiyachts.it
Customise with the Stormbreaker
The Stormbreaker is the sort of superyacht you can build with custom everything. A trailblazing design from acclaimed yacht designer Theodoros Fotiadis, Project Stormbreaker is the next level of go-anywhere explorer yacht. Ready to build at 90m or 115m with long-range cruising capability, this new project from the Berlin-based shipyard is a level above her peers and the first of a new breed of hybrid superyacht.
Powerful and muscular with razor-sharp lines, it will boast the range, luxurious space and immense technical ability to ensure that owners and guests enjoy an epic adventure, being primed for optimal cruising in all climates.
A hybrid superyacht powered by a diesel-electric engine, Project Stormbreaker features an efficient propulsion system plus high-bandwidth capable internet connectivity, even at the polar extremes of navigation.
Its modern interior is centred around a structural glass atrium at the heart of the yacht. Designed to flood the open-plan interior with natural light, this atmospheric enables guests to feel at one with the elements.
Project Stormbreaker features a fully integrated and interactive audio-visual experience from Icon Connect plus an interactive infotainment system for real-time environment and voyage awareness. Interior highlights include a spa/gym complex, cigar lounge, dining lounge, private office, art gallery, library and beach club. She also comes with a large tender garage to house smaller boats or a submarine plus an observation deck, open-air pool and a hangar for full helicopter operations. Project Stormbreaker is additionally equipped with a panoramic 360-degree imaging system to record and broadcast live footage of your destination ensuring you never miss a whale breach or icefall while cruising. The superyacht is exclusively for sale with Super Yachts Monaco. superyachtsmonaco.com
Luxe it up with the Palmer Johnson Khalilah
Founded in 1918, Palmer Johnson Yachts is a brand focused on vision and innovation. From its humble beginnings as a wooden boat builder to its revolutionary SuperSport series, its brand values of design, performance and emotional appeal have been a constant reinforcement in building beautiful yachts.
The Khalilah is one of the brand’s most striking superyachts, The first hull in the yards’ new Supersports series and the first all-carbon superyacht ever. She was designed to offer optimal fuel consumption when cruising at high speeds with no need for zero-speed stabilisers thanks to her 10.8m beam.
Powered by twin 16V MTU diesel M94 engines, she has an impressive top speed of 25 knots and boasts a transatlantic range when cruising at 18 knots. Offering a uniquely versatile interior layout, Khalilah can accommodate 11 guests across her five staterooms, which include two master suites. Light and open, the master staterooms are finished with bleached birch wood panelling and feature full-length picture windows offering panoramic views.
Located on the lower deck, Khalilah’s stylish and modern guest accommodation includes two VIP staterooms plus a twin cabin with a Pullman bed. Decorated in soft tones and featuring individual accent colours, each of the guest staterooms enjoys ensuite bathroom facilities. Khalilah also has a generously sized crew mess with accommodation for a nine-person crew on the lower deck.
Styled by the inhouse team, Khalilah’s interior blends contemporary chic with a distinct Asian influence. Huge windows flood the living space with light while a mix of simple and sculpted interior lines creates a rich palette of textures throughout.
Combining a pared-down superstructure with bold lines and a state-of-the-art wave-penetrating bow, the Khalilah has an instantly recognisable profile finished in custom cordova gold for a dash of luxe. superyachtsmonaco.com
