CRN’s latest delivery, ‘Amor à Vida’, has made a truly surprising entrance onto the illustrious stage of the superyacht world. The main reason: although the 68-metre yacht – whose name in Portuguese means ‘love of life’ – was delivered to its US owner ahead of the Mediterranean boat show season, he subsequently had no intention of parting with it. Furthermore, prospective yacht buyers can easily get confused by the sheer number of launches from the Ancona shipyard. The consistently high workload at the Ferretti Group’s custom-build facility prompted Alberto Galassi to issue a sort of challenge during the Monaco Yacht Show: “Northern Europe, here we come! And above all: we deliver on time!” The former CEO of the shipyard group emphasised every single syllable of that last sentence, pointing out that the sales team had processed 16 enquiries in the run-up to the autumn show.
CRN is expanding to new levels
In 2022, following the Covid-19 pandemic, the Italians even managed to complete three deliveries. And, much like the yacht builders a few hundred kilometres further north, CRN is constantly venturing into new length categories. Since 2015, this transformation has also been reflected in the wide range of exterior designs, which followed on from decades of almost exclusive collaboration with Zuccon. Completely under the radar, a major 72-metre Vallicelli project was launched in 2023. And just recently, a flagship order for a vessel measuring 85.80 metres in length was secured by the 60th anniversary of the shipyard the completely redesigned CRN building. Also under construction are the 68-metre vessel by Nuvolari Lenard and the retro-classic Vripack design ‘Thunderball’ (70 m).
Even though the expansion in Ancona is complete, building plots are limited. The growing number of in-house orders is creating a ‘luxury problem’ in terms of logistics: since 2019, the metal components for the Ferretti brands have also been manufactured in the workshops on the northern Adriatic coast. What began with the Pershing 140 (Issue 6/19) and the Riva 50 Metri (3/20) began and is being continued by the Custom Line 50 (1/25) and the 54- and 70-metre aluminium Rivas.
Nuvolari Lenard reimagines familiar motifs
“Amor à Vida” is the comprehensive design project by the Venetian studio Nuvolari Lenard (NL), which, through nine creative collaborations, has become CRN’s new in-house studio. With this project, originally launched as Project Maranello, the team led by Carlo Nuvolari and Dan Lenard drew inspiration from “the owner’s passion for luxury cars and Italian excellence”. The design has a sculptural quality, with numerous curves stretching from the bow of the upper deck to the beach club and flowing into the undulating stern. Nuvolari Lenard drew on its own rich repertoire of design elements.
The diagonally sloping glazing on the owner’s deck and bridge deck is reminiscent of the NL design ‘Bravo Eugenia’ (Oceanco), which also introduced the distinctive stem and the sharply chamfered foredeck. The radomes projecting outwards on wings at the sides have also become a creative trademark of the successful designer duo. The curved stern arch is borrowed from ‘Voice’, which CRN launched six years ago. However, on ‘Amor à Vida’, the curve reappears inverted in the stem and in a razor-sharp form. The razor-blade motif is echoed by the window bands on the main and lower decks, reminiscent of the tapered forms of ‘Comfortably Numb’ (CRN, 2023).
Carlo Nuvolari comments on the balance between form and function. “The conditions were ideal. The client knew exactly what he wanted, listened to us and trusted in our sincere endeavour to create a design that was both aesthetically pleasing and perfectly tailored to his needs,” says the Italian naval architect, who also highlights the architectural substance of ‘Amor à Vida’: “The unbroken lines are clear and minimalist; not a single element is out of place. Every form is carefully harmonised to emphasise the unity and proportions of the 68-metre yacht.”
Outdoor decks as a natural extension
The exterior also reflects life on board, much of which takes place in the open air: from the crow’s nest at the foot of the equipment rack, through the diagonally mirrored teak foredeck without a helicopter landing pad, to the dark-panelled beach club with its wellness area. “An aesthetically harmonious exterior design is based on a flawless layout,” explains Carlo Nuvolari. “Key considerations were fluid movement patterns on board, a clear separation between guest and crew areas, the seamless integration of the owners’ requirements, maximum operational efficiency and generous storage space.”
A stroll across the decks makes it clear that the owner of the ‘Amor à Vida’ is drawn to the outdoor decks. As he wanted to experience the sea in every season whilst maintaining absolute comfort and discretion, NL-Squadra designed the outdoor areas as natural extensions of the living spaces. Given their versatility, the cockpits transform into open-air lounges, sheltered from the sun, wind and prying eyes. The aim was to create a contemporary interpretation of life on board, where formal elegance and the experience of the journey merge. Exposed, yet secluded.
One of the most spectacular features is the pool at the stern, with glass at the front and in the floor, which allows natural light to shine through the water into the beach club below, creating a play of reflections.
The second part on “Amor à Vida” takes a look inside the 68-metre yacht and at the technology behind it. The GA plan will also be featured. Anyone wishing to compare CRN’s operations in Ancona with other projects will find background information in the BOOTE archive on 60 years of CRN, the Pershing 140 and the Riva 50 Metri.
Technical specifications for ‘Amor à Vida’
- Overall length: 67.55 m
- Width: 11.50 m
- Draught: 3.25 m
- Gross tonnage: 1,447 gross tonnes
- Material: steel, aluminium
- Engines: 2 x MTU 12V4000 M63
- Engine power: 2 x 1,500 kW
- Speed (max.): 16 kn
- Speed (cruising): 15 kn
- Range @ 12 kn: 5,200 sm
- Generators: 3 x CAT C9.3 246 ekW
- Fuel: 142,700 litres
- Water: 36,000 l
- Guests: 12
- Crew: 17
- Design: CRN Engineering
- Exterior design: Nuvolari Lenard
- Interior design: Nuvolari Lenard
- Class: Lloyd’s
- Shipyard: CRN, 2025
- Charter: Moran, from 740,000 euros per week
Sören Gehlhaus
Stellvertretender Chefredakteur BOOTE EXCLUSIV
