PHOTOGRAPH: XXXXXX
http://www.boatinternational.com | April 2016Two of the three guest cabins on the lower
deck can combine to make one full-beam
VIP suite. Whatever the configuration,
the thick silk Tai Ping carpets ensure
comfort and silence throughouttreasure trove shop in Carrara was a large slab of polished
blue agates that they chose as an ornate bar countertop
(and conversation piece) in the upper saloon. Backlighting
accentuates the effect.
The upper saloon exemplifies the boat’s spirit. It’s open
and airy, with large windows, big doors and exceptional
pieces of furniture and art. When it was designed in 2005,
Feadship’s F45 Vantage series was a bit of an innovator in
that respect, with large windows, wide-opening doors and
teak flooring that continued from the aft deck outdoor
area into the lounge. The SL39 reprised the idea. Since
then, class rules and the technology available to build large
glass panels have evolved tremendously. “The owners were
keen to embrace future trends and requested large slabs of
glass in the superstructure decks, as low, high and wide as
possible. As well as looking fabulous from the outside, this
arrangement offers superlative views,” says Weeda.
Owners and guests enjoy priceless vistas from just
about anywhere inside the yacht, but best of all from the
upper saloon. The full-beam area can be opened entirely
to the elements. Doors open wide and the windows on port
and starboard slide down into the structure. The raised
ceiling in the middle also helps the space appear larger.
Mirroring the exterior styling, which is contemporary
but not edgy, the upper saloon has a bit of a split
personality – it is both relaxed and elegant. “Everything
here, except for a couple of chairs, is custom,” says
Bannenberg. The desk is from Linley’s Riviera collection.
The desk’s top was inspired by teak decks on board yachts
and is built in rosewood and inlaid sycamore. The shelves
behind the desk are custom designed by Bannenberg
& Rowell to replicate the desk’s features. The games table
is by Pollaro. A stunning America’s Cup painting by a
contemporary marine artist draws the eye to the bulkhead
that separates this multifunctional room from the rest of
the bridge deck.
Forwards is a small gym (with a good-sized window to
offer a bit of distraction from the boredom of a treadmill
run), the captain’s well-finished cabin and the bridge. The
latter features zebrano wood and a comfortable banquette
to cater for the guests, while the captain enjoys an efficient
wheelhouse design putting all commands at his fingertips.
Wing stations, attractive features in their own right within
the modern exterior design, help with manoeuvres.
Moon Sand is a full-displacement yacht with a range
of about 3,600nm at 10 knots. Accordingly, she needs
a diverse and capable crew. Aside from the captain’s cabin,
there is room for nine crew in the lower-deck cabins,
forward of the guest area, and engineer’s cabin adjacent to
the engine room.
The pool location (with holding tank below it) meant
that the designers had to forgo the more conventional
garage. The sundeck is equipped with a sturdy crane able
to lift and unload the 6.2 metre tender, which resides up
top during passages. This solution goes hand in hand with
the more traditional aspects of this yacht, including her
“classic Feadship bow”. Yet Moon Sand also feels and looks
contemporary, with her windows forming continuous
visual lines on two levels and her attractive wing stations.
All around she is a refreshing and bright addition to the
superyacht fleet. Thank goodness these owners decided
to strike out on their own. BPHOTOGRAPHS: YACHTIMAGES.CO.UK