After Golden Yachts completed the 88 metre long "Project X" followed a year later with "O'Rea", a ten metre shorter but no less sensational new build. The Greek family business, led by captain and shipowner Paris Dragnis, once again relied on the design services of Studio Vafiadis, as Dragnis and Giorgio Vafiadis have known each other for a long time. Together, the two patriarchs have already realised twelve yachts - most of them consistently designed for charter operations and correspondingly successful, such as the 95-metre-long "O'Pari 4". However, in the case of the latest project, initially named "Andromeda", there was no such explicit commercial focus. It was up to the next generation to take responsibility. Ioannis (called John) and Vasilis, the sons of Paris Dragnis, had gained a lot of experience over the years with the construction and operation of the "O" fleet. Stefano Vafiadis, on the other hand, may look so young as to have come straight from university, but he can now look back on a decade in his father's successful design office.
For the Dragnis, yacht building is traditionally a family affair
Initial ideas were put together in autumn 2020 and it quickly became clear that the new solitaire would be positioned in the segment between 60 and 80 metres, where the Dragnis family recognised a high demand. In addition, the envisaged 75 metres could be realised much more quickly than an even larger format. Encouraged by their fathers, the "youngsters" broke away from the previous design language at Golden Yachts, including the traditional bow section. For the first time in the almost thirty-year history of the company, which now has its own shipyard west of Athens, an almost vertical stem was welded to the steel hull, which ultimately grew to 77.70 metres in length and 13.20 metres in width. In combination with the streamlined aluminium superstructure inspired by automotive design, it gives "Malia" a masculine character. The trapezoidal design elements and XXL glass surfaces also play a large part in this. Vafiadis even drew on mathematical formulas from antiquity, which were used for the harmonious proportions of sculptures, in order to skilfully conceal the volume of 2165 gross tonnes. "For a 75-metre yacht to stand out these days, it has to be special," says the Rome-born designer with Greek roots, adding: "That's why we opted for a sporty look, but at the same time for the comfort of a displacer."
Feedback from captains and crews of the "O" yachts
These comfort attributes include a high degree of seaworthiness, as well as the Dynamic Positioning System and a ceiling height of at least 2.30 metres despite the low silhouette. The fact that the typical fresh air areas look smaller from a distance than they are in reality is mainly due to the long, unobstructed foredeck. When not being used as a helipad, the spacious teak area can also be used for yoga sessions or various sports.
The gym on the sun deck, including a bar for a protein shake after sweating, offers work-outs with a panoramic view from wide glass doors and full air conditioning on request. In the evenings, the 22-strong crew aft transforms the flexible seating area into an open-air film theatre. On the other side of the fitness area, a jacuzzi with a glass floor complements the primary pool on the main deck, which in turn illuminates the beach club below with its glass floor. Although the latter appears relatively compact for a length of 78 metres, despite the hinged sides on both sides, it is uncompromisingly high quality thanks to the separate tender garage and is fully equipped with a Turkish steam bath, Finnish sauna and treatment room.
"Malia" shows flowing transitions between outside and inside
Dining is al fresco on the upper deck at a wind-protected round table that comfortably seats twelve guests. Its design, like the seamlessly adjoining saloon, is not coincidentally reminiscent of that of "Project X". Alessandro Massari was once again called in to give the interior an exquisite touch. Originally, Stefano Vafiadis was to design the entire interior as well as the exterior. However, the Dragnis family was so impressed by Massari's masterful work for "Project X" that they quickly brought the humorous Italian - himself a second-generation designer after his father Luigi Massari - back into the ongoing project. Alessandro Massari had less than a year to complete the similarly impressive design of the staircase area and the salons. The upper deck in particular presents itself as the motif with the highest recognition value for the interior of "Malia". The spectacularly curved maple ceiling panels are intended to convey the impression of a fresh sea breeze over sand dunes flowing through the large windows. The openings for the air conditioning and LED lighting have been skilfully integrated into the panels in an unobtrusive manner. Their shape is echoed by the wooden edging of the almost room-wide, semi-circular sofa facing the large flat screen with matching surround sound system and crowned by a lighting installation from the Czech company Lasvit.
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Detailed and creative interiors with high ceilings on board "Malia"
Massari's creativity is also epitomised by a very special "TV chair" in the shape of a boxing glove, the comfort of which the 51-year-old immediately demonstrates during the tour. The bar on the port side of the informal saloon on the upper deck also deserves special attention. In contrast to "Project X", its marble top is not on bottles, but instead indirectly illuminated, offset marble tiles give the bar a dynamic look and make it appear less solid. The striking wooden panels of the upper deck are echoed in the saloon on the main deck and, together with the large windows, make it appear even wider than it already is. The lighting installation by Lasvit above the wide sofas with Massari-typical leather straps parallels the deck above, as does the black marble dining table positioned directly in front of it. In addition, there are numerous other details made of stainless steel and leather that are often only noticeable on closer inspection. Once again, Alessandro Massari has succeeded in creating wow effects with more than 250 different materials and a style that is not lacking in cosiness and homeliness.
One interior, two designers - no break in style
The same applies to the central staircase with lift. The almost two-metre-wide glass floor of the jacuzzi above provides daylight, while the floral pattern of a cherry tree running all around it, together with the glass and steel sculpture by Lasvit in the centre, conjures up a magical atmosphere using indirect LED lighting. The multitude of contemporary artworks, such as the golden globe at the foot of the steps on the main deck, were selected or commissioned by Vasilis Dragnis together with Anna Chatzinassiou from ACH ART Advisory and Alessandro Massari. Where Massari's work ended, Stefano Vafiadis' began. "The transition was successful because our modern European style harmonises well with that of Vafiadis," says Massari with satisfaction and smiles: "Greeks and Italians go well together!" In fact, the "border" between the two design worlds is fluid. With their modern and timeless character, the eight cabins, each with their own colour concept, match the areas designed by Massari as well as Vafiadis' exterior. The partial use of wood instead of carpeting will not only appeal to allergy sufferers, but also contributes to the spacious feeling of the room, as do the rounded corners and edges. The variety of materials is somewhat more limited than in the salons. Ebony is combined with eucalyptus, matt bronze and fabrics from Loro Piana, among others.
The best seats on board are on the main deck of "Malia"
In addition to a double cabin on the port side, two VIPs are lined up on the main deck to starboard. By deliberately dispensing with a separate owner's deck in favour of a dynamic appearance with a flat silhouette, the largest suite occupies the forward area of the hull on the main deck. A work area with desk has been integrated as well as a walk-in wardrobe with natural light and a bathroom with shower. Of course, there is no lack of space, but similarly sized formats have already distinguished themselves with significantly larger hideaways.
However, "Malia" also focuses on cosiness and maximum comfort in the private living areas and follows the Dragnis family's credo that, despite having the most beautiful cabins, most of the time on board is not spent in them. This applies in particular to the four cabins on the lower deck, one of which even has a bathtub, making you almost forget the location thanks to the large glass fronts and the headroom. There are more than enough attractive areas to spend time in peace and quiet, either alone or in the company of family and friends, over the 78 metres. And for excursions on land or on the water, a total of three tenders are waiting in the garage amidships alongside two jet skis: a 7.50 metre Castoldi Jet 25, a seven-metre Novurania LX 700 and a Novurania Deluxe 460 measuring 4.60 metres in length.
Bold next-generation solutions
The Greek-Italian newcomers from the Dragnis, Vafiadis and Massari families - if you want to include them - put together a remarkable overall package with "Malia" and "O'Rea" and demonstrated the courage to change. Not only did they bring a breath of fresh air into the design vocabulary of Golden Yachts, they also harmoniously combined two independent design concepts with the extraordinary hybrid solution of the interior. What's more, the rapid sales a few weeks after the public presentation in Monaco proved them right. Bolstered by its success, the Greek shipyard has already unveiled new projects such as "Vesper". The 65-metre vessel from the computers of Dutch studio Phathom would have much less in common visually with Golden's typical representatives of the "O" fleet. But as the Greek philosopher Heraclitus once said: "Nothing is as constant as change."
Technical data
- Length over everything: 77,70 m
- Length (waterline): 74,50 m
- Width: 13,20 m
- Depth: 3,40 m
- Gross tonnage: 2165 Gross Tons
- Material: Steel, aluminium
- Motors: 2 x CAT 3516E Tier III
- Engine power: 2 x 2525 kW
- Speed (max.): 19 kn
- Speed (travelling): 16.5 kn
- Range: 6500 nm @ 12 kn
- Generators: 2 x 245 kW, 1 x 143 kW
- Fuel: 269 190 l
- Water: 62 388 l
- Guests/crew: 12/25
- Construction: NHellas
- Exterior design: Studio Vafiadis
- Interior design: Studio Vafiadis, Studio Massari
- Class: Bureau Veritas
- Shipyard: Golden Yachts, 2023
