AT H O S
LOA: 66 m
Builder: Holland Jachtbouw, Netherlands
Designer: Andre Hoek
Interiors: Andre Hoek
Launched: 2010Described as “the world’s largest privately-owned two-masted schooner”
as well as “the most technologically sophisticated sailing yacht yet built”,Athos has extensively cruised French Polynesia this year under Captain
Tony Brookes.
Th e yacht’s owner, it seems, personally oversaw a raft of engineering
innovations, working closely with the yard and Andre Heok, one of the
Netherlands’ best-known and gift ed contemporary designers of classic
sailing yachts.
Constructed in aluminium, the vessel has a maximum draught of
8m and a minimum of 3.6 m for shallower waters, and her main mast
height is 61 m, which with the foremast allows her to carry a massive
amount of sail.
Th e lovely deckhouse has a dining table for 12 to starboard, and
a lounge and bar to port. Below deck her master suite is fi nished in
mahogany, with a king-size bed, and the bathroom has a bath, plus a
shower-steam room and his-her sinks.
Th e master suite also has a private aft deckhouse, furnished with
secluded seating and a daybed, as well as a private offi ce with computer
system and TV. Th e yacht takes 10 guests, and is available for charter.
http://www.yachtathos.comMEDUSE
LOA: 61 m
Builder: De Vries Feadship, Netherlands
Designer: De Voogt
Interiors: McMillen New York
Launched: 1996 Refi t: 2006Th is vessel was state-of-the-art when launched at Aalsmeer nearly two
decades ago, and her facilities have withstood the test of time. She can
carry a helicopter, and has a diving compression chamber, elevator,
cinema, gymnasium and two staterooms on the deck, which had extra
headroom in anticipation of the owner’s favourite basketball team being
invited aboard. All this was fairly unusual in 1996.
Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen has moved on to the 126 m Lürssen
Octopus, but he spent and still spends much of his time in the Pacifi c,
where Meduse was seen frequently for some years, and she is back again –
showing up at Neiafu in Tonga’s northern Vava’u Group recently.
One six-month sojourn in years past was spent at Abell Point
Marina in Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, central gateway to the Great
Barrier Reef.
Allen has a deep interest in marine conservation and increasing
our knowledge of the oceans generally and proper management of fi sh
stocks and fl oating garbage in particular.
Meduse is a steel-aluminium yacht with a layout for 12 guests in six
suites. She cruises at 14.5 knots with twin 1710 HP Cats, has a range
of 5,380 nm, and is fi tted with custom stabilisers, again an advanced
concept for her day.
http://www.feadship.nl4
SALUZI
LOA: 69 m
Builder: Oceanfast-Austal, Australia
Designer: Oceanfast-Austal
Interiors: Luiz de Basto
Launched: 2003 Refi t: 2014One of two all-aluminium boutique cruise liners built by Oceanfast and
parent Austal in Western Australia for the French Polynesian market,
Tia Moana was purchased circa 2012 by Beijing luxury developers
Parkview, and the vessel has spent several years in Kaohsiung, Hong
Kong and Singapore being converted into a new-concept private motor
yacht for charter primarily in Asia.
Interiors by Miami-based Luiz de Basto are a very interesting blend
of ideas and mood changes befi tting a vessel that has 16 varied suites
for 32 guests and usual trimmings upgraded to ultra-luxury level. Th e
stylish spa is something else, and there is a cinema, bars and dining
options, plus a beach club with an extensive range of water toys.
Th e concept, then, is that Saluzi can be chartered by large families,
or by royals / wealthy businessmen with an entourage, plus perhaps
security staff , and everyone including children will be happily
accommodated in the diff erent types of suites that are off ered.
http://www.yacht-zoom.org