http://www.boatinternational.com | February 2016Rock.It. “When we build for Feadship, we are inspired because
they create perfection,” says Frank Pollaro. “Our work is
a significant investment. Usually owners come to the shop and
choose their logs for the colour and grain that interests them.”
Pollaro has the largest collection of wood in the world, including
an inventory of 500 ebony logs.
Forward of the circular staircase on the main deck and the
amidships lobby with its marble floor is the owners’ full
10.8 metre beam suite, which is all about relaxation and soft
lighting created by lots of backlit onyx. Their children and g uests
are accommodated in two twin cabins and the pair of VIPs.
The doors of the cabins do not face each other, which enhances
privacy. Light fabrics contrast with the mahogany joinery and
all the beds appear as free standing, with
ambient light escaping from underneath.
The windows in all the lower cabins are the
largest the classification society would allow
on a lower deck.
Also on this level, the crew cabins are
among the first to benefit from the MLC
2006 reg ulations that require a larger
minimum cabin area as well as other
amenities. The area is extremely well
finished and the engineer has his own
quarters aft of the control room.
Rock.It’s bridge deck lounge is in a
diferent key. Here, the cross-grain sycamore that appears in
such light notes on the main deck is allowed a rif and a few
mahogany beams add percussion to an interesting overhead
made of woven teak strips. The lounge is full beam and a bar
to port is the crew access point from the pantry. “This is the
last space we designed for the client and it’s more of a chill-out
space,” says Sinot. “It’s sunny and open, with lighter surfaces. On
the aft deck the sliding glass on each side can make it more of an
all-weather space for dining.”
As much of the art on board would suggest, Rock.It’s owners
enjoy their rock and roll and the sundeck is the place it really
shows. At party time, extra speakers are deployed on all aft
decks. A pair of stone-clad bars anchor the gathering space
under the hardtop, while an awning deploys aft if shade is
wanted; the canopy forward extends almost to the spa pool and
sunpads. The overhead is broken by nine skylights of photo-
reactive glass that self-darken in bright sunlight.
Rock.It is anything but a marina queen. Since delivery in
December 2014 she has been almost continuously on the move
- more than 17,000 nautical miles in nine months, according
to captain Hendrik Jacobs, who joined the project as it neared
completion. Her owners’ first goal was to welcome in the New
Year in Miami and, after two weeks in Fort Lauderdale, it was
of to the Keys, Panama and through the canal to Costa Rica,
Mexico and the Galápagos. “Our itinerary has been fluid,” says
Jacobs. “They like the boat so much they are likely to turn up
almost any time.” And indeed they did arrive during the Fort
Lauderdale Boat Show, which is where we caught up with them
as they were showing the yacht to friends.
Commenting on the yacht’s itinerary, Liautaud said: “Why
not? The yacht is so beautiful I can’t think of a better place to be.”
His wife added that it’s her perfect spot to de-stress.
In their first season, Cocos island and the coast of Costa
Rica generally, where Rock.It was accompanied by III Amigos,
were favourite haunts. The Pacific coast
of Central America is well known for its
billfishing. “Our first stop after transiting
the canal was Piñas Bay and the Tropic Star
Lodge, which is world famous among game
fishermen,” says Jacobs.
Alternating between Tropic Star and
nature parks such as Panama’s Coiba
island and Cocos island, as well as Marina
Papagayo and Los Sueños in Costa Rica, the
owners, family and guests spent the spring
fishing and exploring.
A trip to the Galápagos was the highlight
of their Pacific adventure. With a full-time g uide on board,
Rock.Itvisited five of the islands. The next chapter was to spend
the summer in New England for whale watching and trips
to historic seaports. This winter will be spent in the Caribbean
andnextsummerintheGreat Lakes, where Rock.It will no
doubt dazzle the Chicago waterfront crowd. There’s no let-up
in that itinerary yet.B“Our itinerary
has been fluid.
They like the boat
so much they are
likely to turn up
almost any time”
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