Since all crew are yacht spotters, here's some news that should capture your interest.
The rumors are true about one of the most eagerly-anticipated new yachts to be launched in years.
Even the name of the revolutionary 119-meter (390-foot) motor yacht, recently completed by Blohm & Voss of Kiel, Germany, is something of a mystery.
To the shipyard, she has been "Project SF99" while inquisitive industry watchers have been calling her Sigma. Now it can be seen that painted on her transom is the single letter ‘A.’ Whether this turns out to be her definitive name remains to be seen.
The latest concept by Philippe Starck is like nothing previously seen on the water, and is set to change the way we look at all yachts in the future.
From her concave "battleship" bow to her "watch-tower" superstructure, the yacht named ‘A’ is utterly individual.
In a revealing interview with Boat International, parent-company of Dockwalk.com, style-guru Starck laments the repetitive nature of most yacht designs today. He says they "show only the vulgarity of money" and relates his search for a new form based on elegance and intelligence.
By stripping away all external details he has "dematerialized" yacht design and produced a vision without apparent scale.
Co-designer Martin Francis enthuses about the remarkable hydrodynamic qualities of the new design that slices effortlessly through the waves at more than 20 knots, while leaving almost no wake thanks to the slim efficient hull shape.
The interior of ‘A' is based on the concept of a New York loft apartment - a large open space with windows at both ends. It's just as fascinating and intriguing as the external profile and reveals Starck to be a truly original designer.
The owners of ‘A,’ the Melnichenko family, chose Boat International to tell the story of their remarkable new yacht. The mysteries of its design are revealed in the August 2008 issue of Boat International magazine.
So, as a crewmember, what do you think about the future of yacht design? What are the most innovative designs you've seen or would like to see?
Let us know. Leave your comments below. And don't forget to vote in our interactive poll.
Select specs for M/Y A:
Builder
Thyssen Krupp Marine Systems AG
Blohm & Voss
Year Built
2008
Construction
Welded steel
Length Overall (LOA)
119.00M/390’
Beam
18.87M/61.9’
Draft
5.15M/16.8’
Power
2 x MAN RK280
Maximum speed
23 knots
Range
Full speed 8 days covering a distance of approx 4250 nm
Cruising speed 15.5 days covering a distance of approx. 6500nm
Accomodations
1 Owner's (Main) Suite
6 Guest Suites
Crew
37 Crew + 5 Owner's Staff
Helicopter Pad
Helipad located on the forward main deck
Elevators
1 x Lutz Owner/Guest Lift
2 x Lutz Crew/Service lift
Tenders
1x covered tender
Length
11M/36’
Beam
3.45M/11’
Cruising speed
35 knots
1x Open tender
Length
11M/36’
Beam
3.36M/11’
Cruising speed
35 knots
1 x Pascoe SY10
Length
10.08M/33’
Beam
2.94M/9’
Cruising speed
45 knots