IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO BUILD A YACHT ZEN. Serene spaces, smooth surfaces, energy efficient - and the ultimate sundeck spa.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO BUILD A YACHT ZEN. Serene spaces, smooth surfaces, energy efficient - and the ultimate sundeck spa."

Hubert Eaton
6 years ago
Views:

1 IT WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO BUILD A YACHT THAT WAS ZEN Photographers Giuliano Sargentini; Thierry Depagne Words Cecile Gauert Serene spaces, smooth surfaces, energy efficient - and the ultimate sundeck spa. Meet Grace E

A few years ago, Perini Navi s Burak Akgül stood on the top deck of a very large aluminium and steel structure near Istanbul, his hard hat nearly grazing the roof support beams despite the fact that

The biggest yacht (in gross tonnage) the company had yet built was well on her way to becoming Grace E, the third and by far the largest of the Vitruvius-designed Picchiottis to date.

2 A few years ago, Perini Navi s Burak Akgül stood on the top deck of a very large aluminium and steel structure near Istanbul, his hard hat nearly grazing the roof support beams despite the fact that he was in one of the largest construction sheds the company owned. The biggest yacht (in gross tonnage) the company had yet built was well on her way to becoming Grace E, the third and by far the largest of the Vitruvius-designed Picchiottis to date. Fast forward to spring Nearly finished except for a few final touches, the yacht is docked between sea trials at Perini Navi s Picchiotti shipyard in La Spezia, Italy. From her inviting aft deck with a pool and welcoming lounge to her large saloon with picture windows; from the decadent spa (an entire deck of sheer bliss) to the electric power control room, Grace E looks an impeccable blend of design, craftsmanship and technology. In other words, a superyacht through and through. At 73 metres and 1,876 gross tonnes, she represents a big leap in size for Vitruvius Yachts. The brains behind the name (Vitruvius was a Roman architect, engineer and author) are naval architect Philippe Briand and business partner Veerle Cookie Battiau. The experienced sailors took their vision for a range of efficient, go-anywhere, more environmentally friendly motor yachts to Perini Navi, a builder known for its innovative sailers with the space and comforts of motor yachts. It was, says Akgül, a commercial meeting of minds. The first two vessels born of this collaboration were the all-aluminium 50 metre Exuma and the blue-hulled ice-class 55 metre Galileo G, built at the Picchiotti shipyard. Grace E is the third. The vast differences between the three vessels exemplify Vitruvius Yachts promise to build unique motor yacht designs [which are] fully customised to our clients preference of navigation and lifestyle on board. The owners knew of Vitruvius s virtues when they commissioned Grace E. They were intrigued by the concept of better efficiency, Briand says. They wanted comfort and space, but it was very important for them to build a yacht that was Zen. Efficiency directly produces a greener boat through reduced consumption, but it also creates a boat more pleasant to navigate. That is another way to make a boat Zen-like. Grace E has many innovations to reduce her footprint on the areas she will visit, from systems to mitigate the exhaust fumes to those for trash management and storage. Our intention was to be able to go to any area in the world and retain everything on board in the event of a lack of (disposal) facilities ashore, captain Eddie Cooney says. When they commissioned Briand to design their next yacht, the owners had a smaller model in mind. But the project grew (as projects often do) to increase the comfort for everyone on board. Another outcome of that added volume was more garage space. We used to tow a large The top of the amazing Rémi Tessier-designed lift, embellished with gold thread inlaid between the glass. Top left: after exercising in the sundeck gym, take it easy in this rear lounging area

This bright exterior area aft of the main saloon offers social spaces, comfy seating and a bar tender, Cooney says. But we wanted to avoid having to do that due to the restrictions it imposes.

3 This bright exterior area aft of the main saloon offers social spaces, comfy seating and a bar tender, Cooney says. But we wanted to avoid having to do that due to the restrictions it imposes. Having once had to change plans when a generator failed on their former yacht, the owners were also keen to tackle the issue of redundancy on Grace E. Cooney says it was this that led the project management team to consider one of ABB s diesel-electric plants and Azipod propulsion. The main electrical plant powers the entire yacht. Although this requires more technical space than a traditional shaft-propeller arrangement, with a large electric switchboard room that allocates power from multiple diesel-driven generators, this power plant also promises increased efficiency and a more serene ride. The combination of generators powering the yacht can be selected so that each one of them operates close to its optimum. They run at constant speed, facilitating the design of resilient mountings to avoid harmful structureborne noise, ABB s Thomas Hackman explains. More about the noise factor later. ABB, a supplier of equipment to the cruise ship industry and, increasingly, very large yachts, provided Grace E s power plant. This includes two steerable Azipod propulsors, each with a motor built inside the submerged pod that powers the propeller via a very short shaft. The Azipods are steerable, so you can direct the thrust in any direction, which means it gives the boat a completely different dimension of manoeuvring, Hackman says. In contrast to a normal propulsion shaftline that pushes the yacht through the water, this one pulls the yacht since the propellers are forwardfacing. There are no brackets or appendages to cause turbulence and disrupt the flow of water and Philippe (Briand) s team did a good job of shaping the hull to maximise the pods efficiency. Briand confirms that he modified his hull design to accommodate the large, deep Azipod units. Tested at the Marin institute in the Netherlands, the Vitruvius hull proved efficient. Initial results reveal Grace E uses about 284 litres per hour at 12 knots through the combination of the Briand-designed hull and the Azipods. However, the power management system is the key element of the engineering, and what matters most is the efficient allocation of power and optimal generator use it is over longer distances that the numbers will reveal the whole story. Grace E will have plenty of opportunity to cruise those distances, too. A range of 7,500 nautical miles enables her to roam freely for months just about anywhere in the world. That even includes visits to marine parks with strict no-anchor policies. An interface connects her Azipods to a dynamic positioning (DP) system by Kongsberg Maritime that allows the yacht to maintain her heading in a current and wind. This system also allows the captain to hold the yacht in a set position without deploying anchors, minimising the risk of damage to the seabed. It further means Grace E can arrive discreetly without startling the neighbours by rattling down the anchor chain.

The yacht s owners envisioned Grace E as a bright, comfortable home for family and friends, and by extension charter guests Lighting is part of the design aesthetic in the interior, where a wide beam

Above: palladium leaf ceilings and innovative illuminated furniture bring a subtle glamour to the main saloon, where high-gloss ebony window frames are like those on a painting of a beautiful

Opposite below: bleached wenge is used for flooring in the upper deck saloon, also with ebony windows.

An important benefit of the pods efficient self-contained architecture is that they are supremely quiet.

4 The yacht s owners envisioned Grace E as a bright, comfortable home for family and friends, and by extension charter guests Lighting is part of the design aesthetic in the interior, where a wide beam and deep hull has allowed Rémi Tessier to realise his brand of relaxed minimalism on a grand scale. Above: palladium leaf ceilings and innovative illuminated furniture bring a subtle glamour to the main saloon, where high-gloss ebony window frames are like those on a painting of a beautiful seascape, Tessier says. Left: pale sycamore walls in the master cabin have been sandblasted, bleached and polished as if weathered by the elements to produce a sensuous, textural appearance. Opposite below: bleached wenge is used for flooring in the upper deck saloon, also with ebony windows. Opposite above: six guest cabins are spread across the main and lower decks Clearly, silence is golden for these owners. An important benefit of the pods efficient self-contained architecture is that they are supremely quiet. Hackman says: The yacht owner really appreciated the fact that because the hydronamics are so good the system is very silent as well. Decibel readings make the case for the system s efficacy as eloquently as any words. With the yacht cruising at 14 knots, sound levels are just 42.6dB in the master suite and 45.5dB in the saloon. Other noise-dampening measures such as excellent insulation and an exhaust separator and underwater release system by Soundown also contribute to a serene environment on board. Given this, it seems fitting that Grace E looks big but is in no way a loud design. Instead, the yacht has a subtle beauty that comes from within; her styling by Briand is quietly elegant rather than flashy. Briand says a Vitruvius yacht is foremost about the hull. He recalls a comment by industrialist Marcel Dassault, founder of Dassault Aviation: For an aircraft to fly well, it must be beautiful. The same applies to a December 2014

yacht, he believes. In our culture as sailors and naval architects, the hull comes first. If the hull is efficient, then it is beautiful, he says.

A flush deck forward lies on top of a garage for two of the yacht s tenders. Briand also dedicated thought to movement around the decks.

The inside and outside of the boat fit perfectly they just dovetail together, says Dirk Johnson, who represents Picchiotti Yachts from Perini Navi s office in Newport, Rhode Island.

The combination of the plumb bow, wide beam and deep hull also boosts the interior space significantly, letting designer Rémi Tessier to realise his relaxed minimalism on a grand scale.

To achieve this she has large openings, wide passageways, high ceilings (nearly two metres in the master suite) and a light-filled stairway that spirals around the lift connecting the decks.

5 yacht, he believes. In our culture as sailors and naval architects, the hull comes first. If the hull is efficient, then it is beautiful, he says. The extended hull lines that account for her outstanding seakeeping abilities benefit her looks topside as well, elongating the profile and minimising the girth like a well-tailored striped garment. A flush deck forward lies on top of a garage for two of the yacht s tenders. Briand also dedicated thought to movement around the decks. We worked very hard on opening up the yacht, he says, a legacy of his background as a sailor perhaps. The inside and outside of the boat fit perfectly they just dovetail together, says Dirk Johnson, who represents Picchiotti Yachts from Perini Navi s office in Newport, Rhode Island. The Vitruvius in my mind is about the shape of the boat: the full-bodied hull shape, graceful lines and balanced superstructure. The combination of the plumb bow, wide beam and deep hull also boosts the interior space significantly, letting designer Rémi Tessier to realise his relaxed minimalism on a grand scale. The yacht s owners envisioned Grace E as a bright, comfortable home for family and friends, and by extension charter guests. To achieve this she has large openings, wide passageways, high ceilings (nearly two metres in the master suite) and a light-filled stairway that spirals around the lift connecting the decks. In addition, Tessier has used materials and textures that reflect daylight, including palladium leaf on the ceilings and stainless steel detailing on furniture (much of it from Tessier s own collection), while gold threads were woven between the glass panels around the lift. Natural textures and tones add earthiness, balancing the cool design with warmth. Tessier trained as a cabinetmaker, so loves working with wood. The main types aboard Grace E are a light sycamore, bleached wenge for the flooring and high-gloss ebony as window frames like those on a painting of a beautiful seascape, Tessier says. Though certainly palatial, the master suite remains serene. The sycamore that clads the walls has been sandblasted, bleached and then polished as if the wind, the salt, the sea, the sand and the sun had produced their texture, giving them a sensual touch, Tessier says. Matching the stitched leather headboard, Hermès leather blinds descend with a barely audible electric hum to screen the windows. Only without daylight do you appreciate the suite s elaborate lighting another design and mood element throughout the yacht. Light brushes across the ceilings, washes down walls or stripes the reveals in the joinery. The idea, Tessier explains, is that guests experience the light but not its source. For the owner and guest spaces, he chose LEDs in the blue/white end of the lighting scale, which makes these areas pleasant in low light. See more on the ipad edition This page top: Grace E s unusual diesel-electric propulsion system means more comprehensive technical spaces the end result is a quieter, more efficient, more serene ride for those long cruises. Above and left: internal and external views of the spa area, probably the most comprehensive wellness deck in the world The same design principles contrast, a natural ambience, large structural openings are repeated in the guest cabins (two on the main deck, four on the lower deck) and on the bridge deck, where guest areas are dedicated to entertainment and dining. The owners also specially requested that the top deck be designed as a spa and wellness deck. Soothing sandy tones and big windows are used in several treatment rooms. An observation lounge, sunpads and a plunge pool also allow guests to cool off after treatments or to warm down minds and bodies after a workout in the panoramic gym or a brisk walk around the deck. Guests can sunbathe on rotating chairs with built-in biminis that Tessier designed. There s also a hair salon in case guests need to control wind-tousled locks. Not that Grace E is solely about the well-being of her guests: the owners wanted to extend the feel-good factor to the crew, too. Cooney says: The crew area is exceptional and that came about as a direct involvement from the owners. The crew quarters, which include a 70 square metre lounge, span two decks, although all the cabins except the captain s are positioned on the lower deck. The captain enjoys a comfortable cabin adjacent to the pilothouse. Tessier says that its design was inspired by Rolls-Royce, which perhaps explains the big leather banquettes which flank a stylish, space-efficient bridge by Radio Zeeland. A second, smaller crew gym is located on the lower deck. The yacht received multiple accolades at the Monaco Yacht Show, including the prize for best interior design. Exerting a power of subtle seduction, she even caught the eye of a sailing yacht owner or two. B December 2014

SPECS Grace E Picchiotti/Vitruvius Yachts Sundeck Upper deck Main deck Lower deck Wellness: a spa, gym and hair salon occupies the entire deck Crew quarters: includes a 70m 2 lounge 20m 10m 0m

6 SPECS Grace E Picchiotti/Vitruvius Yachts Sundeck Upper deck Main deck Lower deck Wellness: a spa, gym and hair salon occupies the entire deck Crew quarters: includes a 70m 2 lounge 20m 10m 0m Saloon: a bright area with over 2m of headroom Guest cabins: seven over two decks, all with picture windows LOA 73m Beam 13.3m Draught 4m Displacement 1,740 tonnes Gross Tonnage 1,876GT Propulsion 2 x 1.6 MW ABB Azipod CO0980S Speed (Max/Cruise) 17.5 knots/14 knots Range at 14 knots 7,800nm Generators 4 x Caterpillar C32 876kW; 2 x Caterpillar C18, 492kW Fuel capacity 188,000 litres Freshwater capacity 66,000 litres Owner and guests 14 Crew 22 Tenders 1 x 9.5m Cockwells; 1 x 7m YachtWerft Meyer; 1 x 5m rescue Construction Steel hull; aluminium superstructure A1, SSC, Yacht, Mono, G6, LMC UMS DP (AM) Naval architecture and exterior styling Philippe Briand; Vitruvius Interior design Rémi Tessier For charter Burgess New York t: e: charter@ burgessyachts.com w: burgessyachts.com Builder/year Picchiotti/Perini Navi Group/2014, La Spezia, Italy t: w: perininavi.it Vitruvius Yachts London, UK t: e: info@vitruviusyachts.com w: vitruviusyachts.com December 2014

FRamura 3. For Codecasa s S series, S stands for sport, and true to its ambitions, the latest and biggest in the line

FRamura 3. For Codecasa s S series, S stands for sport, and true to its ambitions, the latest and biggest in the line FRamura 3 For Codecasa s S series, S stands for sport, and true to its ambitions, the latest and biggest in the line combines fast planing speed and excellent stability words: Angelo Colombo photography: