-
Guests
14
-
Cabins
7
-
Crew
35
| Length | GT | Built |
|---|---|---|
|
119m
|
5,959 GT | 2008 |
| Beam | Draft | Top Speed |
| 18.87m | 5.15m | 23 Kts |
Delivered in 2008, M/Y A is a multi-award winning 119m motor yacht built by German shipyard Blohm + Voss. Her interior design and exterior styling comes from the drawing boards of Philippe Starck, while Blohm + Voss is responsible for her naval architecture.
Key Features
- Eye-catching reverse bow and tumblehome design
- Named to appear first alphabetically in shipping registries
- Secret room below mirrored panels
- Almost 24,000 square feet of interior space
- 7 guest suites can be converted into four cabins
- Owner’s suite spans 2,500 square feet
Design & Construction
Designed around a displacement steel hull and an aluminium superstructure she features a 18.87m beam and a 5.15m draft. The yacht has an internal volume of 5,959 GT (Gross Tonnes). The design also incorporates a heli-pad.
Construction started in early 2006 with the keel laid under the project name 'Sigma; SF 99'. The yacht was designed and constructed in compliance with the Lloyds Register technical standards. Launched in January 2008 this yacht undertook sea trials over the following months. She was delivered to her owners in June 2008.
Exterior Design
The exterior design of A is a bold testament to the marriage of innovation and luxury. With a design that challenges the conventions of traditional yacht aesthetics, A strikes a distinctive silhouette on the horizon. Its wave-piercing hull, the brainchild of renowned designer Philippe Starck, exemplifies a quantum leap in maritime design.
The yacht's unique reverse bow, a signature design feature that adds an unexpected twist to the conventional yacht profile, is not just a stylistic flourish. It also plays a critical role in the yacht's performance.
A's tapered shape, apart from showcasing the skill of Blohm + Voss's master welders, does pose its own set of challenges. However, this design has not compromised the yacht's sense of spaciousness. On board, one still has the impression of ample room - a testament to the clever use of open-space layout, long sightlines, and the extensive use of heat-reflecting glass.
The yacht also features two exterior pools, one of which has an active current for swimming, while the other serves as a whirlpool. A third spa pool is located inside the main saloon, and yet another on the aft bridge deck, offering a variety of choices for relaxation and leisure.
Interior Design
The interior of A is a testament to the innovative thinking of Philippe Starck, blending comfort, elegance, and modernity in a seamless design. The features inside A are as striking as her exterior, with the design taking a bold departure from traditional yachts. The design is characterized by a seamless flow of space, allowing guests to move freely and comfortably within the yacht.
Starck's design philosophy is predicated on simplicity and functionality. He aimed to create a clear floor plan, rather than a series of individual rooms. This approach has resulted in an interior layout that defies traditional descriptions. Starck has masterfully incorporated his signature motifs into the design, such as Baroque detailing, erotic forms, and minimalistic shapes, all while maintaining a sense of refinement and sophistication.
The interior of A is far from ostentatious, with a focus on creating a harmonious and comfortable environment. The materials used in the yacht's construction are of the highest quality, including oiled teak and ash for the floors, marble in the en-suites, and leather paneling. These elements lend a sense of consistency to the design, which is enhanced by the thoughtful inclusion of eclectic details in different spaces.
One of the standout features of the interior is the main staircase, which is decorated with hand-carved wave-shaped scallops that are covered in silver leaf. The staircase is a focal point of the design, showcasing Starck's attention to detail and his love of unique design elements.
The main saloon is a sight to behold, with its full-aspect windows and mirrored walls that create a light-filled space. The saloon also features a spa pool, providing guests with a relaxing area to unwind. The main aft deck area houses a bar that opens to reveal mirrored walls adorned with Starck-designed wine glasses, each presented on its own shiny metal plinth.
Accommodation
The yacht has been designed with the utmost attention to detail, ensuring a luxurious and comfortable experience for all on board. The yacht has the capacity to accommodate up to 14 guests and is staffed by a highly trained crew of 42, ensuring the highest level of service and care.
The accommodation quarters on A have been designed to offer guests a peaceful retreat after a day of sea exploration. The yacht boasts an impressive seven guest cabins, each designed with a unique aesthetic and offering the highest standard of comfort.
The master suite, featuring a rotating bed, offers breathtaking views of the ocean, allowing occupants to wake up to the sight of the sea each morning. In addition, four of the guest cabins also feature rotating beds, offering guests the same luxury.
The cabins are beautifully designed, with Starck's signature style evident in every detail. Intricate engravings on mirrors, crystal washbasins, and a tasteful blend of teak and ash in the soles contribute to the refined and elegant atmosphere of the cabins.
The unique design of the yacht also allows for the creation of continuous spaces. Double connecting doors between the three guest cabins to port and starboard can be opened, offering guests a larger, more open living space if desired.
As for crew accommodation, A has been designed to ensure that the crew of 42 can effectively carry out their duties while also having their own comfortable living spaces. The exact details of the crew accommodation are not specified, but given the overall design and attention to detail present throughout the yacht, it is safe to say that the crew's living quarters will be of a high standard.
Performance & Capabilities
Yacht A is a monohull wave-piercer that effortlessly combines style with performance. The yacht's unique reverse bow, which resembles the silhouette of waves as it slices through them, reduces lift and wave resistance for smoother sailing, especially in head seas. This design feature allows the vessel to maintain a steady forward momentum, providing exceptional sea-keeping abilities.
Powered by conventional 9,000kw MAN diesels, the yacht is able to achieve a top speed in excess of 23 knots. The decision to use diesel power was reached after considering and dismissing diesel-electric on the grounds of added weight and reduced speed. Despite her avant-garde appearance, the A's technical specifications are quite straightforward, offering reliability and performance.
The yacht's relatively light and slender hull not only contributes to its speed but also maintains its hydrodynamic advantage, allowing it to glide smoothly through the water. However, the yacht's tapered shape did present some complexities during construction. The relatively narrow hull and 'conning tower' superstructure resulted in a somewhat limited guest space in proportion to the length of the yacht. Still, the ingenuity of the design and construction team ensured the integration of all necessary technical spaces and features, without compromising on the yacht's distinctive style or functionality.
In terms of stabilisation, A is designed to provide a smooth and comfortable sailing experience. The yacht's design includes storm shutters on the main deck and raisable spray breakers in the foredeck structure. These features help to mitigate the potential for a wet ride, which can sometimes be a drawback of the yacht's wave-piercing design.
Leisure & Entertainment
The yacht features a tender bay, likened by Starck to a "museum of modern art", which is a masterpiece in its own right. Completely teak-lined, the garage can be exposed on three sides when the two side shell doors and the large transom platform are opened. The two custom tenders housed within, also designed by Starck, are as special as the mothership itself, providing a fitting complement to the yacht's groundbreaking design.
Air conditioning offers increased on-board comfort, while underwater lights create a dazzling light display when the sun goes down and an elevator makes the yacht fully-accessible.
Member of the World's Biggest Yachts Club
This yacht is proudly ranked at 32 in the YB100, our exclusive list of the World's Biggest Yachts by Gross Tonnage. It has held this distinguished position for 4 years, 2 months, showcasing its unmatched true size.
This yacht also entered the traditional Top 100 Longest Yachts in 2011 at 13 and is now ranked 34, holding a spot in the table for 13 years, 10 months due to its extraordinary length.
To understand the difference visit our page on the World's Biggest Yachts.
M/Y A Yacht is not For Sale
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