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1 aifos An experienced yachtsman challenges an Italian shipyard to build a fast, all-aluminum yacht that meets the demands of his on-the-go family. text by Amanda McCracken photography by Jeff Brown / Superyacht Media 72 SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL 73

aifos 163' cbi navi aifos 163' cbi navi these pages A large, expansive area, the main-deck salon can be divided into two sections by sliding doors, creating a more formal dining room and a cinema

It has been a while since I have found myself having to look over the side of a superyacht on the move in a lively Force 4 to see if it is actually moving; it s a testament to the seakeeping and

2 aifos 163' cbi navi aifos 163' cbi navi these pages A large, expansive area, the main-deck salon can be divided into two sections by sliding doors, creating a more formal dining room and a cinema with dropdown television. It has been a while since I have found myself having to look over the side of a superyacht on the move in a lively Force 4 to see if it is actually moving; it s a testament to the seakeeping and sound properties of the first all-aluminum, entirely custom motor yacht out of CBI Navi s Viareggio facility since the yard became part of the FIPA group. The 163-foot MCA-compliant Aifos bends the rules on the usage of space on board, something that owners are demanding more and more. Gone is the elaborate entrance hall with wide staircase and elevator; instead you find a space more suited to a family who insisted on distinct social and family areas. The owners also requested the yacht deliver a maximum speed of 24 knots and a cost-effective range, and to do this, the yard had to keep the weight in check. The proof of whether a yacht works is after a maiden voyage, usually a week or two cruising locally so the dash back to the yard to complete warranty work is not too far. Not so with Aifos, the moment the yacht left the yard the family was on board for 56 days with a cruising schedule that included overnight passagemaking as well as day trips and an itinerary that crisscrossed the Aegean and the Med. But the captain was still smiling as we boarded. First impressions are always important, and at close quarters in the late afternoon Athens sunshine, Aifos certainly ticks all the boxes for good looks. She is masculine with heavily tinted, almost seamless, large windows on her main and upper decks and more classic usage for those in the guest cabins and working areas, all disappearing into a hard chine, all-black hull and gunmetal gray superstructure. She rises quite high, and it is obvious her 163 feet is voluminous. Up top she is finished with a stylish three-tier mast with twin Furuno radars and two large satcoms (which in white are rather intrusive to the yacht s appearance, although the argument probably is that if painted black they would be less efficient). One thing is certain: the designers put much time and expertise into the whole development of the yacht, and the hull design in particular. When I first met the owner of Aifos, his requirements were very clear he wanted a fast and seaworthy yacht, says Sergio Cutolo of Hydro Tec Creative Naval Architecture, which developed the lines plus the structural, mechanical and piping package. He requested a hull 74 SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL 75

aifos 164' cbi navi this page Aifos layout offers some surprises, such as the main-deck family room (top) next to two kids cabins in the place you would normally find the owners suite.

Cutolo sent three hull designs, based on previous studies of patrol boats, to the University of Genoa, which made drag and acceleration predictions.

Weight was very important for various reasons, including stability, says Cutolo, and we had to keep the displacement within the predicted range.

3 aifos 164' cbi navi this page Aifos layout offers some surprises, such as the main-deck family room (top) next to two kids cabins in the place you would normally find the owners suite. It offers a casual spot for playing games and completing homework. that could run in a sea state four at twenty knots, with an acceleration on the bow of less than 0.4g. Cutolo sent three hull designs, based on previous studies of patrol boats, to the University of Genoa, which made drag and acceleration predictions. The owner gave the basic hull design the go-ahead, and tank testing with a scale model proceeded at the Krilov Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia. Weight was very important for various reasons, including stability, says Cutolo, and we had to keep the displacement within the predicted range. The underwater profile has very deep sections in the bow area to improve seakeeping but also to allow for a very fine waterline angle, he says. The midship section has a good deadrise and waterline beam to improve stability. The sections get flatter towards the 76 SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL 77

aifos 163' cbi navi aifos 163' cbi navi integrated crane for the Novurania tender, leaving room to starboard for one of three 150kW generators, which individually can be used to run all the systems

The owner does not believe in having a smaller emergency generator, often seen on yachts, so he went for three of equal power, with just two in the engine room, enabling the vessel to operate fully

The engine room has two of the new MTU 4000 series engines the first to be used in a yacht which deliver 3,120 kilowatts of power each but together use just 185 gallons of fuel an hour when running

The engine room is a good size even though the redundancy on all systems, an extra air-conditioning unit, two of the four zero-speed stabilizers, plus oversized equipment make it a bit of a squeeze.

screens. Large mullions restrict the view in harbor, but out at sea this didn t seem to be a problem, and the screens were clear and easily readable in bright sunlight.

It becomes apparent very quickly why the bridge area is smaller than the norm; the rest of this deck is devoted to the owners accommodations.

4 aifos 163' cbi navi aifos 163' cbi navi integrated crane for the Novurania tender, leaving room to starboard for one of three 150kW generators, which individually can be used to run all the systems on board. The owner does not believe in having a smaller emergency generator, often seen on yachts, so he went for three of equal power, with just two in the engine room, enabling the vessel to operate fully if the engine room was disabled in an emergency. The engine room has two of the new MTU 4000 series engines the first to be used in a yacht which deliver 3,120 kilowatts of power each but together use just 185 gallons of fuel an hour when running at 17 knots. The engine room is a good size even though the redundancy on all systems, an extra air-conditioning unit, two of the four zero-speed stabilizers, plus oversized equipment make it a bit of a squeeze. The bridge has a professional console that is welllaid-out with large screens for charting, one each for the monitoring of two engines, a central Doppler navigation system and two rudder monitoring screens. Large mullions restrict the view in harbor, but out at sea this didn t seem to be a problem, and the screens were clear and easily readable in bright sunlight. Bridge wings slightly forward of the side doors provide full control and good visibility when docking. It becomes apparent very quickly why the bridge area is smaller than the norm; the rest of this deck is devoted to the owners accommodations. The owners are very particular about the way the yacht works, and with a constant stream of youngsters on board it is important to have dedicated areas for family, friends, socializing and privacy. The mainthese pages Instead of a second salon, the upper deck hosts an owners haven with an aftfacing bed in the master suite and a sitting room/bar complete with a Fendi electric piano. Soundproof sliding doors separate the areas. transom with the bottom line gently coming up. The aft sections are pretty flat with the propellers and tunnels and three interceptors. The hull efficiency remains very good at lower speeds. With the hull shape and testing worked out, it was down to Rome-based designer and architect Giorgio Vafiadis of Giorgio Vafiadis & Associates to deliver the owner s dream, and CBI Navi was chosen for building and fit-out. The words modern, architectural, expensive, understated elegance and symmetry give an idea of the style. Armani/Casa meets Fendi in a chic black and off-white palette of understated elegance with a touch of glamour. Not much is conventional about the interior of this yacht, except the placing of the air-conditioning and engine extractors. It is all about space, light, tactile laser-sculpted doors, glossy lacquered surfaces, tiny mosaic tiles and taut leather surfaces. The yacht s expanse is balanced equally between the mechanics from the engine room to the Furunoequipped commercial bridge and the style and hotel workings of the yacht; this was important to the owner, a naval engineer. Technical details have been generally well thought out, although some areas could have done with more space, and a few feet on the length may have helped here. The area where the rescue tender and personal watercraft are stored is particularly squashed, although there is a crane that can launch within the MCA-recommended 24 seconds. There is, however, plenty of room down on the waterline aft where you find a side-opening door with Armani/Casa meets Fendi in a chic black and off-white palette of understated elegance with a touch of glamour. 78 SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL 79

aifos 163' cbi navi In the lower-deck galley, every conceivable professional appliance is at the chef s fingertips.

The three guest cabins are all good sized and all have baths two also have showers.

Something that can be enjoyed by all the family in those essential leisure hours is the sun deck where adults and children alike have a superb playground complete with spa pool surrounded by a

The black hull and gunmetal gray superstructure is mimicked by the furniture on the sun deck and the colors of the soft goods, flooring and fixtures inside.

computers and game consoles. Usually the domain of the owner, the forward main deck has two twin-bed cabins, both with Pullmans.

This area works extremely well as the children can make as much noise as they like, and it s a great idea to have a dedicated area for the family.

Dressed in black and off-white with Armani/Casa lamp accents, a statement dining table shaped like a shallow boat hull in lasered wood by Rivadossi and smart dining chairs by Cassina, this area is

There is a change of tempo on the upper deck, which instead of another salon is almost wholly the owners domain. A door from the bridge leads to a passageway with a large dressing room to port.

5 aifos 163' cbi navi In the lower-deck galley, every conceivable professional appliance is at the chef s fingertips. Adjacent to the galley is the crew mess for 11 and cabins of sizes compliant to the upcoming ILO MLC, 2006 regulations. The three guest cabins are all good sized and all have baths two also have showers. Large paddedstyle walls soften the décor here, complemented by shiny lacquer surfaces, limestone and wide-planked wengé floors. Something that can be enjoyed by all the family in those essential leisure hours is the sun deck where adults and children alike have a superb playground complete with spa pool surrounded by a sundial of sunpads in a stylish fabric that does not get hot; there this page The interior and exterior blend seamlessly. The black hull and gunmetal gray superstructure is mimicked by the furniture on the sun deck and the colors of the soft goods, flooring and fixtures inside. deck entrance on the starboard side opens to a small hallway with a family room just forward where there are large armless sofas facing a vast television screen plus dedicated workstations for computers and game consoles. Usually the domain of the owner, the forward main deck has two twin-bed cabins, both with Pullmans. The one to starboard is slightly larger and has the addition of a dressing room both have funky circular showers. A separate passageway leads to a gym and crew staircase for easy access. This area works extremely well as the children can make as much noise as they like, and it s a great idea to have a dedicated area for the family. Aft on the main deck is where the Zen style really kicks in with a smart dining area and large, elegant main salon. Dressed in black and off-white with Armani/Casa lamp accents, a statement dining table shaped like a shallow boat hull in lasered wood by Rivadossi and smart dining chairs by Cassina, this area is for more formal gatherings. The room can be divided by sliding doors and used as a cinema with a television that drops down from the ceiling. There is a change of tempo on the upper deck, which instead of another salon is almost wholly the owners domain. A door from the bridge leads to a passageway with a large dressing room to port. Near floor-to-ceiling windows give this area fabulous light, and the central bed makes quite a statement. Ahead are two sets of electric sliding double-lined doors for soundproofing this is the answer to the legendary Harry s Bar in New Orleans, complete with a stunning Fendi electronic piano, which I am told gets considerable use. is also room for an exercise bike. Comfort and symmetry are the hallmarks up here; seating snakes along both sides with large bolster cushions that make great backrests. Under the shade of the arch mast are tables for al fresco dining, and there is also a bimini that will withstand up to 17 knots of wind before retracting automatically. The owners wanted a yacht with a unique style, which Vafiadis has definitely delivered, plus engineering that would not let them down, and it seems that has been realized by the yard. The areas are wellsized, except for a few technical spaces, and while the paintwork and fittings of cupboards needs attention, overall this is a excellent testament to what CBI Navi is prepared to produce. A very stylish, comfortable yacht with an endorsement from a very happy family after 56 days on board what else do you need? Aifos is predicted to achieve a top speed of 24 knots; cruising is usually at a brisk 17 knots as this family does not like to hang around. 80 SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL 81

6 aifos 164' cbi navi sun protection: A bimini that can self retract after reaching 17 knots provides shade. sun deck dining: A dumbwaiter is used for transporting food from the galley. owners lounge: A clever touch is the private stairway in the starboard corner that leads directly into the main salon below. MCA: The rescue tender on the bow meets the MCA recommendation for a 24-second launch. Service: With the galley located below, a large pantry is situated off the dining room for ease of service. kids space: The forward part of the main deck encompasses a gym, family room and childrens staterooms. firefighting: A separate room adjacent to the beach club is dedicated to a Hi-Fog water-mist fire protection system. Galley: The galley is located on the lower deck and features a floating floor that eases fatigue for those standing for long periods. Specifications: CBI Navi Via Giannessi Viareggio, Italy Tel: Fax LOA: 163' 1" (49.7m) LWL: 140' 9" (42.9m) Beam: 29' 6" (9m) Draft: 6' 7" (2m) Displacement: 350 tons Power: 2 x 4,184-hp MTU 16V 4000 M93 Speed (max/cruise): 24/22 knots Fuel capacity: 21,134 gallons Generators: 3 x 150kW Northern Lights Freshwater capacity: 3,302 gallons Construction: Aluminum alloy certification: MCA Naval architecture: Hydro Tec Creative Naval Architecture Exterior styling/interior design: Giorgio Vafiadis & Associates year: SHOWBOATS INTERNATIONAL

The flybridge deck features various sitting arrangements with lower tables and is equipped with a bimini forward.

The flybridge deck features various sitting arrangements with lower tables and is equipped with a bimini forward. Perini Navi 50M Make: Model: Length: Perini Navi 50M 49.8 m Year: 2000 Condition: Used Hull Material: Draft: Number of Engines: 2 Fuel Type: Beam: Steel 8.25 m Diesel 11.41 m Prestige Yachts Investment,