Sometimes it just takes a little longer for a complex construction to go on a world tour. This is what happened with "Project X" and Golden Yachts. The now 78-year-old Greek Paris Dragnis, who earned his captain's licence before his 26th birthday and has already owned more than 400 ships as a successful shipowner, had previously made a name for himself in the scene primarily as the owner of the "O'" charter fleet. He started out in 1996 with the 42-metre Intermarine design "O'Pari" as his private yacht and quickly recognised its lucrative potential after receiving numerous charter enquiries.
This was followed by the 85-metre "O'Mega" and "O'Ptasia", among others, as well as his interim 95-metre flagship in 2020, which bears the name "O'Pari" and has been sweetening the holidays of prominent guests ever since. Over the years, Paris Dragnis and his sons John and Vasilis have not only gained experience in the charter business, but also in refits and in-house designs under the name Golden Yachts. The company's own shipyard capacities in Piraeus have been and are being successively expanded in order to be able to realise even larger plans for formats over 100 metres.
From Chile via Washington to Greece
Convinced by the experience and skills of the Athens-based family business, the owner of a 59-metre Benetti turned to Dragnis. With their help, he wanted to breathe new life into the shell of the "Z", which had been dormant for years. Its history began in the same way as "Victorious" at Marco Yachts in Chile. With exterior and interior design by Ken Freivokh, construction of the originally planned 85 metre long five-deck yacht began in 2007.
After the financial collapse of the South American shipyard, the unfinished steel hull with aluminium superstructure was towed to Delta Marine in Seattle. Then the project went quiet again and nothing happened for years. This only changed with the current owner, who brought Golden Yachts on board and had the shell towed to the Halkitis shipyard west of Piraeus in 2019. For the final completion, the "Project X", which had now grown to 88 metres, went on another voyage, but only a few nautical miles to Golden Yachts' own shipyard. There, after 15 years, the 14.80 metre wide colossus with an interior volume of almost 3000 gross tonnes was finally allowed to enter the water via a floating dock.
Largest yacht lift in the world on board the Project X
Compared to the original "Z" design, the Freivokh lines were largely retained. However, Golden Yachts optimised the hull and lengthened the stern in view of today's requirements, for example with regard to exhaust gas treatment. The most obvious evolution from the outside was the glass fronts extending over three decks amidships as the most striking part of the more than 550 square metres of glass surfaces on board. The "X" moved in as a stylistic element and guarantees high recognisability even from a distance. Behind the six huge "Xs", the light-flooded atrium bears the unmistakable signature of Ken Freivokh and is reminiscent of "Maltese Falcon".
The Dutch specialists from Lift Emotion contributed a spectacular glass lift. With a capacity of 16 people, it is currently the largest yacht lift in the world. The glass floors of the stairs and the skylight also offer dizzying views up and down all decks - a "highlight" in the truest sense of the word.
The owner was enthusiastic about the breathtaking atrium right from the start, reports Alessandro Massari, who was allowed to take care of the interior design at Golden Yachts during the course of completion. Following in the footsteps of his father Luigi, he expanded the Massari Design portfolio to include hotels, private residences and some very large jets with stately interiors. His experience with large formats such as "Lady Lara", "Queen Miri", "Halo" and, last but not least, "I Dynasty" helped the design studio from Fano, not far from Ancona, whose yacht expertise dates back to 1969, immensely with "Project X".
The briefing to Alessandro Massari was very clear from the very first meetings: modern and inviting styling with a focus on refined details and the most exclusive materials. In the end, there were over 150 in total, in addition to the finest woods, types of marble such as Sahara Noir, onyx, silk carpets and uniquely crafted metal elements, as well as more than 40 types of leather including recycled fish leather from Brazil. "The ship is full of details that need to be discovered and explored at your leisure," says Massari during our tour of the ship. Monaco Yacht Show satisfied.
Uniqueness became a challenge
The biggest challenge for the Italian was to give each of the many areas and rooms on board the uniqueness desired by the owner and at the same time create a harmonious connection with each other. The likeable, down-to-earth and humorous designer was constantly pushed by his client:
Create something I've never seen before!"
Massari says this with a view of the bar in the upper deck saloon, which seems to float on around 100 "X" wine bottles. They can be removed for cleaning, which the 28 to 30-strong crew will certainly appreciate. But the bar is just one example of many creative solutions. "It helped that the owner was so experienced and basically knew what he wanted." One element that unites all the decks is modern art, which the owner collects. The yacht is like a floating art gallery. He wanted spaces where the works of art could be perfectly displayed and enjoyed, whether in the salons, lobbies or cabins. This can also be seen in the entrance to the 240 square metre, hull-wide owner's cabin aft and in the bridge with a 180-degree view of the private sun deck with round Jacuzzi. The centrally installed bed is a work of art in itself, as is the oversized chaise longue - each with plenty of space all around. In contrast, the two bathrooms - on the starboard side with a shower and on the port side with a bathtub - have a comparatively compact and simple design.
Details on board the Project X
One deck below, we reach the owner's office, which is also as wide as the hull, with a panoramic view ahead and a round table for conferences with or without video. Behind this is an office for employees and two spacious suites, one of which has a private lounge. With a view to flexibility and the maximum of 19 overnight guests for private use, this can be separated by a sliding door and used as an additional cabin thanks to its own bathroom. A further four cabins, including two VIP suites with XXL showers, are located on the main deck. Amidships, opposite the library with seating area and TV, two dining rooms on the port side invite guests to dine.
The ceiling height of 2.40 metres is impressive together with the long table for 16 people. At the head of the table, Massari placed a four metre wide wine cabinet with various temperature zones, which is visually reminiscent of a bank vault and is intended to emphasise the value of the liquid treasure. The smaller dining area, which is located directly next to it and can be connected to it for simultaneous use, seems predestined for children and informal gatherings for breakfast or card games. Another round dining table aft on the upper deck seats up to 18 guests. Its rotating centre made of Merano glass attracts astonished glances and ensures a shared culinary experience. "The concept was a lot of fun for me and my team," says Alessandro Massari, looking back on how it all came about and comments: "Details make all the difference."
The diverse design approach is also evident on the 250 square metre sun deck at the highest point with all-round glazed wind protection, a veritable ten-person whirlpool and plenty of space for yoga, Pilates and fitness. In the air-conditioned "winter garden", which is easily accessible via the glass lift, numerous Technogym machines await sports enthusiasts, while two small relaxation rooms with day beds guarantee a relaxed atmosphere. Down the external spiral staircase, we pass the owner's deck and upper deck and finally reach the main deck.
Fully equipped spa area
The 7.50 x three metre glass pool with waterfall offers views into and out of the beach club and spa below. "X" decorative elements on the sides of the pool pick up on the design theme below. For an exquisite wellness experience, "Project X" has a treatment and massage room, hammam and Finnish sauna. As an outstanding detail, Massari designed a seating area in the centre of the beach club that rotates and can be divided into two semi-circular sofas. This guarantees a perfect view of the bar aft, the sea or the TV screen. When not in use, various (e-)bicycles, water toys and the nine-metre-long mahogany walkaround by Pedrazzini Vivale are stowed on the port side.
The ten-metre sedan from Greek manufacturer Onda and four SeaDoo WaveRunners are parked amidships to starboard. Two 6.30 metre RIBs are stored in the bow under the touch-and-go helipad. They can handle all standard aero tenders with a maximum weight of 2.8 tonnes. A range of 9,500 miles at 12.5 knots and full 320,000-litre bunkers enable worldwide travel. The two 1920-kilowatt Caterpillar diesels enable a top speed of 16 knots. Naiad fin stabilisers also ensure comfort at anchor.
The versatile and complete overall package of "Project X" with MCA certification in accordance with the Large Yacht Code (LY3) can be honoured by charter guests at weekly rates from one million euros or by prospective buyers for 160 million euros, both via Burgess. And Golden Yachts? The Greek family company led by Paris Dragnis plans to deliver a new large format yacht every year in future - the world premiere of the 78-metre yacht currently under construction is scheduled for the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show in September.
Technical data of the "Project X"
- Length over everything: 88,00 m
- Length (hull shape): 72,30 m
- Width: 14,80 m
- Depth: 4,50 m
- Displacement (empty): 2610 t
- Gross tonnage: 2973 GT
- Material: Steel, aluminium
- Motors: 2 x Caterpillar V16
- Engine power: 2 x 1920 kW
- Speed (max.): 18 kn
- Speed (travelling): 12.5 kn
- Range @ 12.5 kn: 9500 sm
- Generators: 3 x CAT C18 350 kW
- Construction: Golden Yachts
- Exterior design: Ken Freivokh
- Interior design:Studio Massari
- Class: Bureau Veritas, LY3 MCA
- Shipyard: Golden Yachts, 2022
- Charter rate:1 million euros
- Broker:Burgess
- Price:160 million euros
