A text by Sam Fortescue and Martin Hager
From the outset, the owner had a clear goal: his "Amadea" was to leave all the yachts around her swimming in the shade. "The core of his construction brief was that his yacht should be brimming with detail. Millions of hours of work went into the production and assembly of this enormous work of art," says Evgeniy Kochman, founder and managing director of Imperial Yachts, who acted as the owner's representative.
The Monaco-based brokerage house has a reputation for downright pedantic accuracy. Every shipyard manager gets the shivers down their spine when this name comes up. Industry insiders know that Imperial expects and demands absolute precision and perfection in every part of the yacht - especially in the finish. "Imperial works so precisely and in some cases meticulously that you simply don't understand what exactly is wrong with some of the mini-defects that are reported," says one supplier.
The creation process of "Amadea"
"Amadea" was built quickly, despite the astonishing wealth of detail and considering its size. It took 31 months from cutting the first steel plates to delivery. "That's very fast," says Michael Breman, Sales Manager at Lürssen. "We were able to utilise technical solutions that we had already developed - that saved us a lot of time." "Amadea" was built on the technical platform of the "Quantum Blue", which was delivered in 2014 and is only two metres shorter.
"We still had enough time to adapt every last detail on board to the owner's requirements," explains Captain Pete Reid over coffee and cake from the onboard patisserie. This included a large number of modification requests, particularly in the owner's galley and bathroom, which extended the construction time by around six months. Time that was used to eliminate even the smallest inaccuracies. "There was virtually no list of defects," says the captain. The rigorous construction planning of the owner's representatives also left no room for delays. "We are known for being highly inflexible and exceeding our customers' expectations," says Kochman. "But this philosophy is exactly what our success is based on. We expect our partners to be one hundred per cent committed to our way of working, and we can proudly say that the industry's most important shipyards and designers follow our approach."
A dramatic welcome scenario
We enter "Amadea" via the side passerelle, as the Øino design is moored alongside the dusty quay of Barcelona's Vilanova Marina. The majority of guests will usually dock with the tender and board the six-decker, built according to PYC regulations, via the bathing platform and the beach club, which is partially shaded by the ten-metre pool above with a glass rear wall. A welcome scenario that amazes even seasoned yacht connoisseurs. "I wanted to make this area dramatic," says exterior designer Espen Øino about the pool. "Loungers on both sides seem to float above the deck and look like two wings.
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If you move too quickly across the "Amadea" decks, you will miss countless clever details such as angular niches at the stern. "This allows you to sit down and take off your shoes once you have boarded without having to fetch a chair," explains Øino.
Nocks serve as relaxation zones on the "Amadea"
The large number of small, cosy and private lounge areas, where owners and guests can relax unobserved, is immediately noticeable. One of the most beautiful relaxation areas are the nooks arranged one above the other on both sides of the yacht, to which "Amadea" not only owes its striking appearance, but which - furnished with cushions and pillows - are an invitation to laze around.
"We deliberately opted for this interlocking arrangement," explains Øino. The masculine shapes of the overhanging nocks come into their own when landing by helicopter. The creation of numerous retreat corners was particularly important to Øino: "I visit many large yachts and I regularly receive [sensitive] calls. Sometimes there are simply not enough cosy spots." In complete contrast to these experiences, there is an almost endless choice of such places on "Amadea". Even the saloon on the main deck generates warmth through a cathedral-like atrium that spans two decks. A hand-painted Pleyel grand piano and a dining table spanning the entire width of the yacht are among the many extravagances on this deck. Interior designer François Zuretti is responsible for the elegant ambience on board and has succeeded in combining the grand with the intimate in a marvellous way. Hand-painted ceilings with Michelangelo clouds and the many warm organic colours create a cosy atmosphere. "The owner wanted an authentic classic interior with furniture from the 18th century," explains Zuretti. "Alcohol, leather-bound books and accessories are part of the design."
Øino recommended a layout with plenty of seating and unobstructed sea views in many places. "We worked intensively with the owner on the design of the rooms and exterior spaces," admits Øino. "It's quite normal that the outstanding yachts come from owners who have worked extensively and in detail on their project." On "Amadea", the owner's influence is present on every deck, but especially on the bow, from which a giant Art Deco-style eagle seems to soar into the air. "The artist Willem Lenssinck made the five-tonne bird of prey from stainless steel and the shipyard welded it onto the stern," says Espen Øino.
Galley as part of the guest area
The galley on the upper deck was also designed according to the owner's wishes. The cooking area is dominated by gleaming copper pots and pans and even features a lobster aquarium in addition to an XXL grill. "The galley is part of the guest area," explains Captain Reid. "Any guest who would like to spend time with their food or who has a request for the chef is welcome to do so." The galley is located right next to the winter terrace, an exceptionally green dining area for 24 guests, with ivy and ferns climbing along the walls and ceilings. Water ripples soothingly and gently over a slate wall, and indirect light shining through opaque ceiling panels creates a bright ambience. Taking a seat here feels more like dining in a hidden Parisian Michelin-starred restaurant than in the ultra-modern premises of a 106-metre-long yacht. And yet, just a few centimetres behind the lively greenery is the chimney that transports the exhaust fumes from the engine room up to the ventilation slots one deck higher. It speaks for the outstanding quality of a Lürssen yacht that not a single decibel of this process escapes into the room.
The outside deck, on the other hand, was not designed for quiet hours. Here, loudspeakers integrated into the exterior with a total of 20,000 watts are just waiting to send their sound waves onto the eardrums of the guests. A laser system provides the right light show if required. A soundproof sliding door separates the quiet interior from the party zone, which also includes a jacuzzi framed by sun loungers that can be transformed into a stage for a band or DJ. The sound equipment can be connected directly to the ship's own audio system. "We've never turned the system up more than fifty per cent," smiles the captain. "The bass really packs a punch then!"
Cooking toys for beach parties
"It's all about partying here," is Espen Øino's summary of this area. "We designed the deck ends on this deck and the deck below to be inverted, i.e. inclined inwards, so that the structure is very suitable for anchoring lights and loudspeakers. The geometry was not chosen at random." In the side storage space, the chef stores a teppanyaki grill, the rotisserie and the rotating spit designed for whole pigs. A crane integrated into the bulwark allows the bulky equipment to be moved onto the tender and onto a beach if required. "So nothing stands in the way of an exclusive beach party," comments Pete Reid on the cooking toys, which are unusual even for large yachts. The cinema on the bridge deck one floor below is also unique. The projector and the large screen disappear into the wall after use, and the two sofas have a D-Box motion control system that ensures that the seats move and vibrate according to the cinema action. A full-body experience. A popcorn machine is of course available at the bar for the perfect snack.
A walk around the "Amadea" decks reveals just how successful the room layout is. Of course, the owner has a private office on his deck, but it is anything but huge. Instead, François Zuretti has given it the feel of a private room in an exclusive gentleman's club, with a dominant leather armchair and hand-painted world map on the ceiling. For less personal business, there is a conference suite on the lower deck, fittingly in the immediate vicinity of the walk-in humidor and wine cellar.
The owner's deck
The owner's deck has all the details you would expect from a large yacht: a dressing room, a bathroom with a bathtub set into the floor, a beauty parlour and a fitness studio. However, most of the deck is taken up by the saloon with integrated bar and private dining area. Lots of marble, rare woods and exquisite stone and wood inlays dominate the warm and inviting owner's area. On the spacious aft deck is a round dining table for eight people, which can be transformed into a table that comfortably seats sixteen guests thanks to an ingenious and concealed integrated mechanism. Glass windscreens can be opened if required, and a fireplace invites you to relax - with an adjoining lounge area, of course.
At the other end of the deck, a door leads from the owner's suite onto a private terrace with a mosaic-clad pool. If you raise your head upwards while lolling in the water, you will hardly believe your eyes: An impressive light show is playing in the ceiling. All the signs of the zodiac can be found there in the recreated panorama of a starry night sky. "Impressive, isn't it?" asks the electrical engineer responsible for this area, adding with a delighted grin: "You'd be scared if you looked behind the panelling. There are two thousand fibre optic cables and a rotating disc for the glitter effect."
Technical highlight on board the "Amadea"
Lighting is omnipresent on board. LED strips indirectly illuminate numerous pieces of furniture and are even integrated into the stainless steel masts to which the crew attach awnings. The entire entertainment and ambience control system works via iPads and is of course room-independent. "We have access to 6500 devices throughout the interior," adds the technician.
It goes without saying that no expense was spared when equipping the "Amadea". For example, her helipad, which is designed for an aero tender weighing up to 3.5 tonnes, has a glide path indicator that helps the pilot to touch down safely on the deck. A feature that goes far beyond the requirements of the classification society. The full-width tender garage offers ample space to accommodate a ten-metre saloon (Windy) and a 9.10-metre Pascoe beachlander, as well as a 10.50-metre sports convertible (Windy), which is known on board only as "the boss's boat". The design of the two Windy formats also comes from the computer of exterior designer Espen Øino, as is now not unusual for large formats.
Nothing was left to chance
Even after many hours on board, visitors will notice numerous subtleties that make "Amadea" an impressive work of art. Nothing was left to chance on board. "Imperial's management style is very thorough and extremely attentive to detail," confirms Zuretti, who had only worked with the experienced owner's representatives on smaller yachts in the past. "All suppliers have to work hard to fulfil the strict quality requirements." Espen Øino agrees: "Imperial works in a very structured and thorough way. Sometimes that means more work for us, but in the end the owners are satisfied - and that's what matters. As yachts are getting bigger and more complex, the owners' investment is considerable. Nobody can afford to start such a project light-heartedly."
The designer enjoyed the creative process. "In general, creativity and a strict company structure don't necessarily go well together," admits Øino. "The close collaboration with the owner inspired me; we had a kind of symbiotic relationship. It was like a game of table tennis that kept getting faster and faster." And it seems that everyone won.
Technical data
- Length over everything: 106,10 m
- Width: 18 m
- Depth: 4,10 m
- Room volume: 4402 GT
- Material: Steel, aluminium
- Motor: 2 x MTU 20V 4000
- Engine power: 2 x 4300 kW
- Speed (max.): 20 kn
- Speed (travelling): 13 kn
- Fuel: 392 000 l
- Range: 8000 nm @ 13 kn
- Generators: 3 x MTU 12V 2000
- Water: 72 000 l
- Crew: 36
- Guests: 22 (cruising) 16 (overnight)
- Exterior styling: Espen Øino
- Interior design: François Zuretti
- Construction: Lürssen
- Classification: DNV-GL, PYC 36
- Shipyard: Lürssen, 2017
- Broker: Imperial, Eric Lepeingle
The article first appeared in BOOTE EXCLUSIV 6/19 and has been revised for this online version.
