"Cecilia": Hybrid large format with underwater toy

Christian Sauer

· 29.08.2023

Wide field: Aerotransmitters weighing a maximum of 2.1 tonnes and with a rotor diameter of around ten metres land on the touch-and-go helipad

Explorer in yacht fur: The extended crane that transports the submarine over the bathing platform into the water can be seen at the stern

Open use: the orphaned helideck can be converted into a dance floor complete with DJ booth. A bimini protects the seating area and whirlpool from the elements

The outdoor areas are extended by four balconies with automatically opening railings

Flooded with light: Floor-to-ceiling windows and the orange accent typical of Wider characterise the large saloon on the main deck

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With "Cecilia", Wider presents the second hybrid large format with high fuel economy and great tender richness. This works wonderfully on just under 50 metres and completely without a robust explorer look

As we all know, a yacht is more than just the sum of its features. But with a 75 square metre owner's cabin, a helm station that can be extended around the captain, extremely low noise and vibration levels thanks to the diesel-electric pod drive with battery power, a beach club that can be extended to 90 square metres including a saltwater pool and a nine-metre dayboat parked inside, the sporty and elegant Wider 150 "Genesi" already impressed us. Topping this versatile format was no easy task, even for the experienced team of the still young superyacht branch of Wider in Ancona. However, the renderings that designer Fulvio De Simoni conjured up from his computers and which Wider brilliantly realised in aluminium already looked promising.

Topped feature richness

The most obvious difference to its predecessor is the touch-and-go helipad of the "Cecilia". With a maximum weight of 2.1 tonnes and a rotor diameter of around ten metres, it is suitable for the standard twin-engine models from Airbus Helicopters and Bell. Without an aerotransmitter, it transforms the crew into a fully illuminated dance floor complete with DJ booth. While a retractable hardtop on board the 150 protects the lounging and seating area in front of the bridge from the elements, the 165 relies on a conventional bimini. Instead, the second large format from Wider offers an additional whirlpool in this exposed position. The first is located on the actual sundeck, where it is framed by the mast and sun loungers. Behind it is a bar, seating area and deckchairs.

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The upper deck aft is similarly equipped with a concealed barbecue station and collapsible tables for up to eight people. Inside, the skylounge conceals a galley with plenty of space for cutlery, an adequate wine cabinet and a food lift behind wall panels made of metallic oak. Together with the free-standing furniture by Bontempi and Pianca, the side sliding glass doors lend the room with its 2.05 metre high ceiling an airy atmosphere. Our route across the comparatively wide side decks leads to port along the captain's cabin and the nock onto the glass bridge. As on the Wider 150, the experts from Team Italia contributed the futuristic ensemble of four monitors above the cockpit windows and six displays below. At the touch of a button, the latter not only rise and tilt, but two of them also fold out to the side and place the maritime pilot at the centre of the action.

Airy relaxation on "Cecilia"

Before we go into the extraordinary drive concept of "Cecilia", we continue the tour on the main deck. The ceiling height here is a headroom-guaranteeing 2.20 metres. Just like its smaller counterpart, the large saloon with its secret bar is just as light-flooded and open-plan, inviting you to relax. A 65-inch screen folds down from the ceiling, which can be rotated from the three sofas to the glass dining table. It comes as no surprise that a day toilet is located in the bow next to the galley and pantry.

However, the rest of the main deck layout has surprises in store. Firstly, there is the veritable sauna with shower and separate toilet amidships. While the sea view has to be sacrificed here, the gym to starboard benefits from the fold-down balcony. For a seamless transition from inside to outside, its wooden floor extends when opened and the railing folds up automatically. Alternatively, the window integrated into the balcony can be opened separately. As the Technogym equipment takes up little space, the actual fitness room can also accommodate two guests thanks to its own shower room and pull-out sofa bed.

High processing quality

The separable entrance area of the owner's suite on the port side also has a balcony and variable couch. Without overnight guests, it functions as an office and TV lounge. Wider has positioned the equally impressive bathroom next to the actual bedroom with a walk-in wardrobe at the front. In addition to the sheer size, which is particularly remarkable for a yacht under 500 gross tons and 50 metres in length, the Calacatta marble and the fittings with a free-standing oak bathtub and generously sized shower are fascinating.

While the unconventional layout of the forward main deck on the "Cecilia" may be reminiscent of a labyrinth, despite all the advantages for fans of spec construction, the first-class quality of the materials used and their workmanship are beyond reproach. The same applies to the four guest cabins on the central lower deck, two of which have double beds that can be pushed together. The VIPs can look out to sea from their two cabins and enjoy the same view when showering in the bronze Amani marble bathrooms. The areas for the guests and eight to twelve crew members could only be designed so generously - according to Wider, there is 25 per cent more space - because a conventional engine room was dispensed with.

Easy battery replacement if required

Instead, Wider installed four variable-speed generators from MAN in a common frame far forward in the bow to effectively minimise noise and vibrations. They each generate up to 350 kilowatts of power and either drive the two Veth VZ 450 CR propulsion nacelles directly or charge the air-cooled lithium-polymer batteries from Dutch manufacturer EST Technologies with a capacity of 44 kilowatts per hour. After the very positive experience to date with the first-generation batteries on board the Wider 150, it is unlikely that they will have to be replaced in the near future, but the 165 is equipped for future upgrades to higher capacities. The heavyweights can be replaced with relatively little effort, either via the overhead crane and hatch on the port side of the hull or via the helipad above.

However, the energy storage systems already enable eight hours of hotel operation - for example at night or during the day at anchor - without motors disturbing the peace, generating vibrations or irritating the air with exhaust fumes. Alternatively, you can cruise for six hours purely electrically at five knots. According to Wider, the diesel-electric generators consume just 84 litres per hour at a speed of ten knots and, with 69,000 litres of fuel, enable a transatlantic range of 5,400 miles. Wider's engineers state a maximum speed of 14 knots. RINA recognised the numerous measures taken to increase efficiency as well as the excellent comfort - for the first time ever with maximum points.

Beach club with submarine pool on "Cecilia"

As if that wasn't enough, the 165 tops its predecessor with another of its outstanding features. In the stern of the fully loaded aluminium hull, which extends just 2.30 metres below the waterline, the swimming pool has grown to a total length of 14 metres. With a width of three metres and a depth of almost one metre, the filtered seawater is not just for swimming; depending on customer requirements, either the 9.60-metre-long Wider 32 and a two-man submersible of the type U-Boat Worx Hiper Sub for a maximum depth of 100 metres or an eight-metre-long tender plus the Super Yacht Sub 3 can be parked there.

This compact submarine, designed by Dutch competitor Triton for two guests and a pilot, is certified to 300 metres. Although its weight of 3.8 tonnes is comparatively low, it proved to be a difficult challenge during the construction of the Wider 165. For this reason, the original solution with a side garage was abandoned. Now, a crane extending from the centre aft lifts it safely into the sea and back on board. Owners who are not keen on underwater expeditions can have a spa area set up amidships in front of Widers Dayboat instead. There are also details such as an additional day toilet and access from the outside and from the main saloon.

With the 165, Wider is proving for the second time how innovative and versatile a yacht of this size can be - without having to boast an explorer look. The asking price of 30 million euros seems correspondingly justified. Under the new aegis of Marcello Maggi, the Ancona shipyard intends to expand its pioneering role in sophisticated aluminium formats with hybrid drive. The ex-ISA co-founder and CRN manager acquired Wider in June together with two investors from the cruise multinational Genting Hong Kong. The co-operation with the Lloyd shipyard belonging to Genting - an employee from Weser was sent to Ancona to supervise the interior outfitting of the "Cecilia" - will be maintained: In future, large formats of 76 metres or more are to be built in Bremerhaven. Should this be the case in the next few years, Wider would certainly top itself again in terms of space utilisation and variety of features.