In collaboration with Misha Merzliakov Yacht Design, Australian superyacht builder Echo Yachts have unveiled the SP30 concept, a fully customizable 101ft catamaran.
The Echo Yachts SP30 Catamaran designed by Misha Merzliakov Yacht Design. Credit: MMYD
Now coinciding with this year’s Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS), Echo Yachts and Misha Merzliakov Yacht Design (MMYD) have once again collaborated to reveal an even larger 31m catamaran concept known as the “SP30”.
Echo Yachts, who have already won several prizes for build’s like their 84m M/Y White Rabbit Trimaran, are Australia’s largest builder of custom superyachts and yacht support vessels. They originally first reached out to Misha Merzliakov Yacht Design to design a 45m catamaran for a confidential client.
Impressed with the results, Echo Yachts enlisted Misha to create a range of 27m catamarans for their “Design Collection” and decided to follow up on the back of the two previous successful projects with the 31m “SP30” Catamaran.
“With this latest project I was given ‘carte blanche.’ It was a case of do whatever you like and I thought, Wow, let’s do a catamaran that looks very cool and slender”, shared Misha Merzliakov. “When I say slender though, you have to have a bit of restraint because there’s the temptation to pack it full of things just because you can do that with a catamaran, whereas I wanted to show some restraint and make it look sexier. Think sports car, supercar and hypercar; there’s a lot of lines in there that you’ll go ‘ok it looks like it means business.'”
“This design came out of COVID creativity. I have drawn a lot of boats in the last six months because of lockdown, and my creative headspace was probably in the best it has ever been”
The Echo Yachts SP30 certainly hits the balance between cool, sexy, supercar and business. Credit: MMYD
When considering the initial concept for the SP30 Catamaran, Misha Merzliakov was adamant the layout be kept simple and functional, ensuring it would be possible to keep crewing requirements to a minimum and operational costs minimized for the owners regardless of the layout.
While intended to be foremost functional, the SP30 Catamaran is also designed to be fully customizable, allowing owners the flexibility of a layout to best suit their use of the vessel. This could range from a weekend entertainer configured with wide-open spaces for hosting guests onboard, through to an explorer catamaran requiring more storage space and crew accommodation.
“The entertainer layout is designed with more open spaces for larger groups of people,” explains Misha Merzliakov. “Rather than a small intimate group, you’re catering for groups of people in the lounge, guests gathering through the main deck and standing up near the bar, including a few more over at the dining table. Guest numbers can swell quickly and it could easily cater for that.”
The SP30 interior and layout can be fully customized for use as an entertainer through to an explorer. Credit: MMYD
“For exploration use, I would probably change the layout because it’s more likely going to be used by a smaller group (even only just the owner sometimes) and they’re going for longer journeys so there is more emphasis on storage. An explorer client might need more workspace or an office space. The cabins also could take on a different persona, especially with explorers, because the crew tends to be with you longer. Regarding the galley side of things, you would consider increasing the refrigeration and freezers capacity. The catamaran can be built fit for purpose, it can go either way.”
In terms of exterior design, Misha experimented with four different profile designs before settling on a reverse bow profile for the SP30 Catamaran. Featuring a masculine automotive-inspired exterior, the reverse bow gives a sleek profile appearance and maximizes the waterline length for optimal performance.
Internally, the catamarans wide 13.3m beam is more closely associated with superyachts in the 60m+ range, allowing for extremely spacious open living and dining areas, which designer Misha Merzliakov has enhanced through the deliberate use of a casual yet elegant interior.
Placing a specific emphasis on the above deck areas for living and entertaining, Misha Merzliakov’s signature use of clever ambient lighting creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere throughout the living areas as guests experience the transition of day into night aboard the yacht.
A hydraulically lowered swim platform is located aft on the centerline. Credit: MMYD
Created with an expansive aft deck, the SP30 Catamaran also allows for a range of water toys, including two jet skis and an Extender EXT640 6.4m IDRO tender to be stored aboard. A hydraulically lowering swim platform located on the centerline also doubles to effortlessly launch and retrieve the tender and provide guests with safe access to the water for swimming, diving, and other water sport activities.
When asked about his favorite feature of the SP30 design, Misha shared, “I like the look of the distant profile and exterior of this catamaran on the horizon. If I judge that I’ve done the right thing with a design, then I look forward to seeing it skating along the horizon. The irony is it’s a very small object in the landscape from a photo composition point of view, yet it still captures your attention.”
UK design studio Harrison Eidsgaard has revealed their latest expedition yacht concept – the 417ft “Rex” designed for a client wanting “something different”.
“Rex” expedition yacht designed by Harrison Eidsgaard. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard
UK design studio Harrison Eidsgaard has unveiled their latest design known as “Rex” – a 417ft expedition yacht named for the Latin word for “King” and created specifically for a client looking for “something different.”
Designed with a streamlined white and grey exterior, the sporty expedition yacht concept boasts four terraces with a 46ft pool on the main deck that can be enclosed with glass to create an indoor pool in cold climates, an oversized cinema, a two-story gym, and an Airbus A160 helicopter hangar that converts into a squash court when not in use.
Pool on the main deck can be enclosed with glass for colder climates. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard
Accommodation for 22 guests consists of a master suite and ten guest suites each with their own terrace and direct access to the forward and aft atrium staircases while features like the submerged “Neptune” lounge offers guests an underwater view of their surroundings from below and a “Panorama” observation lounge on the top deck offering 360-degree views from above.
One of the two helicopter hangars on the Rex expedition yacht. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard
The Rex Expedition yacht is also designed with a full-beam garage with room for a 49-foot expedition vessel, two 30-foot tenders, and a large crane to assist with moving the toys in and out of the water.
Regarding performance, Harrison Eidsgaard has utilized a significant hull chine and sharp bow design for improved fuel efficiency and a hybrid propulsion package that could be converted to a hydrogen system in the future for zero-emissions cruising.
Neptune lounge with underwater viewing. Credit: Harrison Eidsgaard
Alia Yachts has launched the 180ft Al Waab II superyacht at its shipyard in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of its final delivery in September.
Alia Yachts built Al Waab II being transported for launch. Credit: Alia Yachts
Alia Yachts has launched the 180ft Al Waab II superyacht at its shipyard in Antalya, Turkey, ahead of its final delivery in September which coincides with the Monaco Yacht Show later this year.
After two years in construction amongst the ongoing pandemic, the production schedule was surprisingly only delayed by two weeks, with Alia Yachts President Gökhan Çelik noting, “the last two years have been difficult, but we took a lot of health and safety measures, and, to offset delays experienced by our European suppliers, we worked around the problem and found ways to recreate lost time.
Launched at Alia Yacht’s shipyard in Antalya, Turkey. Credit: Ali Yachts
“The fact we’ve done it in just over two years despite everything is a credit to the determination of the men and women who work here.”
Designed by Dutch design studio Vripack, Al Waab II accommodates up to 12 guests and features a modern design with a neutral color palette across the five staterooms and the master suite split across the upper and main decks.
Designed by Dutch design firm Vripack. Credit: Alia Yachts
“For many owners, the concept of enjoying a ‘home at sea’ is what drives their passion for yachting,” says Bart Bouwhuis, Co-creative Director at Vripack. “The owner of Al Waab II had the explicit desire to use his boat as a family apartment. That desire became the founding principle of the entire design. The result is the very essence of living on the water.”
Early render of the Alia Yachts built Al Waab II. Credit: Alia Yachts
“We’re very proud of Al Waab II,” says Alia President, Gökhan Çelik, adding, “Yachts are getting longer and wider, but owners still want to stay below the 500 GT mark. We’ve seen increasing interest in this kind of yacht and so to be one of the first with such an impressive project is an important milestone for Alia.”
The Al Waab II will now undergo sea trials and final outfitting ahead of delivery to her owner.
Heesen Yachts 164ft Project Altea has officially been launched as MY ELA and is on her way to the Mediterranean for the summer.
Heesen Yachts 164ft MY ELA (formerly known as Project Altea) has officially launched in the Netherlands and is currently on her way to the Mediterranean for the summer.
Purchased only three months before delivery, the lightweight, aluminum fast-displacement hull built on Heesen’s sub-500GT Nova Plus engineering platform and interiors had already been completed when she caught the eye of the new owners.
MY ELA on her way to the Mediterranean for the summer. Credit: Heesen
Featuring large floor-to-ceiling windows and spacious light-filled living areas designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects and warm and inviting interior designed by Italian interior designer Cristiano Gatto, all that remained for the new owners of MY ELA was to customize the final details to make it their own.
With only three months from the purchase date until delivery, Cristiano Gatto worked alongside the team at Heesen to fully customize the interiors in time for delivery.
Original interior concept of Project Altea/MY ELA. Credit: Heesen
“Together with the client, we revisited all the loose furniture, inside and out, selecting new materials for all the upholstery and the key items from Paola Lenti, B&B Italia, Poltrona Frau, and Promemoria,” said Cristiano. “But more importantly, we designed bespoke pieces, such as tables, sofas, and lamps, all beautifully crafted by Italian ateliers, who delivered them in record time.”
Built to accommodate twelve guests in six staterooms, MY ELA is not only luxurious inside but is an elegant fast-displacement design that allows shipyards to stay below the 500GT limit to avoid the additional certification required of larger superyachts.
Interior Skylounge concept by Cristiano Gatto. Credit: Heesen
Powered by two powerful MTU 12V 2000 diesel engines for a maximum speed of 19 knots, MY ELA is also the first Heesen to feature a peak-shaving battery system that offers a seamless storage of energy by allowing excess generator power to be stored when the yacht’s load fluctuates and used during peak periods when power demand exceeds generator output.
While primarily intended for family use, MY ELA will also be available for charter with Zarpo Yachts for select clients.
Render of Heesen’s 164ft fast-displacement hull Project Altea. Credit: Heesen