Text by Risa Merl, Sören Gehlhaus
When Paris Dragnis builds a new yacht, he always tries to outdo himself - in terms of length and build quality. Impressive proof of this is provided by "O'Ptasia", the largest format in terms of length and volume to leave the halls of his shipyard to date when it was launched in 2019. But it is not just the sheer size that makes the 2350 Grosstons stand out from the ranks of yachts of the same length. The Golden Yachts flagship builds on twelve successively optimised predecessors and impresses with its attention to detail, which is an expression of Dragnis' great personal commitment: from the fully air-conditioned beach club and the 50 square metre gym on the bridge deck to the consistent noise and vibration reduction.
Dragnis once again turned to Giorgio Vafiadis for the 85 metres. Both men are already on board and talk about their friendship and almost 25 years of collaboration when BOOTE EXCLUSIV was allowed to be on board the "O'Ptasia" in 2019. On the one hand, Dragnis trusts the Rome-based yacht designer unreservedly, but is always heavily involved in the construction process and brings his own style to the table. It is precisely this interplay of strong opinions that ultimately creates the creative harmony on board their projects. Dragnis, for example, prefers light colours, while Vafiadis likes to work with dark woods. The interior of "O'Ptasia" with ebony and light-coloured fabrics is also subordinate to this compromise.
Two men, one yacht
"Our first yacht was 'O'Pari', and since then we have realised many projects," says Golden Yachts founder Paris Dragnis about the collaboration with Studio Vafiadis. "I really like creating things together with Giorgio. It's like a family - there are great moments, sometimes arguments, but in the end we kiss and make up." The fact that the yachts are getting bigger and bigger is one thing, but Dragnis is particularly proud of the short construction times. In Piraeus, work is carried out "around the clock" and in two shifts, and the list of subcontractors reads like an international one.
The electronics come from the USA, the interiors are made in Italy and the lift is supplied by a German company. However, Dragnis also attaches great importance to supporting its compatriots and employs 400 Greeks at full capacity. The combination of global expertise and local labour lowers costs, but Dragnis emphasises: "Our prices are attractive, but we are not cheap."
"The sea is in my blood"
Dragnis has a background in commercial shipping and spent years at sea as a cadet. "My last job was as a captain, the sea is in my blood," says the shipyard owner. "Even as a young boy, I was drawn to the sea, from which we lived just 100 metres away. Life in a villa, however beautiful it may be, doesn't necessarily appeal to me. Put me on a small boat and I'm happy."
Once he had set up his own shipping company and business was booming, the self-made man bought his first yacht and gradually expanded. "Yachting used to be a hobby, and now my hobby has become a business - one that I love very much." His wealth of maritime experience predestines him to manage his own shipyard. "My shipping background has taught me to focus on solid construction. That is also the reason why Golden Yachts has never had any major problems. This is no coincidence, but is based on experience."
Twelve days a year on board the "O'Ptasia"
Having owned yachts himself for many years, Dragnis has a clear idea of what amenities and qualities make a good yacht a very good charter yacht. On board "O'Ptasia", this is a wealth of features that prevents boredom, but first and foremost the whisper-quiet operation, even at the top speed of 18.2 knots. "The most important aspect for me is the insulation," emphasises Dragnis. "I wanted to create a yacht where you can't hear or feel that it's moving."
Golden Yachts achieved the drastic reduction in noise and vibration emissions through four layers of insulation. Giorgio Vafiadis adds that an acoustics engineer defined the specifications. The result is a 35 per cent improvement in noise levels compared to "O'Pari³", the 13 metre shorter predecessor. In 2019, Dragnis had already built 13 yachts with names beginning with O and an apostrophe, all of which were consistently geared towards charter requirements. Since then, significantly larger formats such as another "O'Pari" and "Project X" have been added.
The entrepreneur does not start most of his projects with a customer order behind him or in the hope of finding an owner before the launch. Instead, Dragnis places his yachts on the charter market immediately after completion and has them managed by his sister company Atalanta Golden Yachts, which is run by his son John.
Charterstar "O'Ptasia"
The same business model also applies to "O'Ptasia". The 85 metres were already booked for the first summer season when only renderings existed. At the 2019 yacht show in Nafplion, Greece, she was the undisputed charter star. "That shows how much customers - most of whom come back again and again - trust him," explains Vafiadis and continues: "They asked what was going to be under construction next and were ready to sign up again." He was even contacted by three of Dragnis' loyal customers who were seriously interested in buying.
However, like her many sister ships, "O'Ptasia" will initially sail as a charter vessel for a few years before Dragnis sells her. He himself will use her for around twelve days a year. Of course, it is nice that the charter business covers the running costs. But what is more important to Dragnis is that he has access to his new yachts for a few years. This allows him to gather ideas for improvement while on board and make new plans for the next project. In addition: "The feedback from charter customers shows us where we need to make improvements. In this way, we build a yacht that appeals not just to ten per cent of the potential clientele, but to 90 per cent."
So close to the sea on "O'Ptasia"
A direct consequence of customer feedback is the beach club, which is around 13 metres long with a stern platform. Dragnis knows that everyone who gets on a yacht wants to be as close to the sea as possible - sometimes without wanting to jump into the water or expose themselves to the sun. This gave him the idea of a glass door with a large air-conditioned lounge area behind it. The beach club houses a sauna and a massage room in separate rooms. The bar, which serves fresh juices and smoothies alongside drinks, is in keeping with the healthy spirit of the times. The touch-and-go helipad for a Eurocopter 145 and smaller solutions such as the heated marble floors in the bathrooms were also requested by yacht holidaymakers.
Giorgio Vafiadis and his son Stefano worked together on the exterior and interior design of "O'Ptasia", their eleventh yacht for Golden Yachts. "He likes soft but modern lines," says Vafiadis, describing Dragnis' taste. "The design has to be timeless and still look contemporary years later." The designer outlines his exterior as follows: "If you look at the profile, it has the impression of water moving in slow motion over an elegantly austere silhouette, forming a remarkable geometry."
Intimate areas in the salon of the "O'Ptasia" provide opportunities for retreat
The Italian design studio contrasted the curved exterior with a modern interior with clear edges. "The interiors should be calm, simple and relaxing," explains Vafiadis. "The surfaces are clean, without many accessories or space for clutter." For the decoration, the designers drew on Fendi, Armani/Casa and other Italian high-end brands.
The main salon has two separate seating areas so that groups of different sizes can mingle. "This layout creates intimate areas," reports Vafiadis. "With families, I usually know how they use the saloon. But on charter yachts, you don't know who's coming or how people relate to each other."
Only a sideboard separates the parlour from the dining table for 16 people. The imposing table is an eye-catcher made of ebony with an onyx stone in the centre. "Paris insists on variety, even with the wood," comments Vafiadis on the interior fittings, which were carried out exclusively by Italian subcontractors, from the upholstery to the stainless steel work. "They usually rent a few houses during the construction phase, and Golden Yachts carefully supervises the work. The interiors go through three checks: when they are built as a mock-up in Italy, during installation and finally before delivery," says Dragnis, describing his form of quality management.
Calculated charter success
"O'Ptasia" is classified according to Bureau Veritas and MCA and has a layout that is clearly geared towards charter success. She accommodates 22 guests in eleven cabins, two of which are classic owner's suites. Unfortunately, the accommodation is numbered on the doors. Fortunately, Vafiadis made sure that the cruise feeling doesn't last long. "Warm colours and interesting, dynamic spaces with comprehensible routes are important. It's important to be able to move around the yacht naturally," explains the designer, adding: "The fusion of indoor and outdoor areas reinforces the feeling of being on a yacht."
The three boarding options - by helicopter via the foredeck, by tender via the stern or via the tender garage amidships - also convey a VIP ambience. Vafiadis tried to break up the narrowness and expanse of the corridors with colourful works of art and white, laser-engraved wall panels. The walls of the guest cabins are covered with fabrics or eucalyptus wood, each coloured grey. In the bathrooms, Golden Yachts uses pentelic marble like that used in the Parthenon on the Acropolis. "It's ideal because it doesn't absorb water," adds Vafiadis.
Green marble from the South Aegean island of Tinos is also used. Although kept clean and uncluttered, the interior never appears boring. The neutral-coloured textiles are contrasted by splashes of colour, especially in the form of bold works of art. In the bathrooms it is mosaics, otherwise it is brightly coloured pop art and textures that you want to touch immediately. One of the most interesting places on board is the pyramid-shaped light installation in the otherwise black lift. A glowing purple triangle moves into the dimly lit lift, making even single-floor journeys a pleasure.
O'Ptasia" is also intended to publicise Greek yacht building
When it comes to shipping, Greece is better known for its large merchant fleets than for yacht building - but that is exactly what Dragnis wants to change. It is therefore only logical that he and Vafiadis were already planning the next exhibit of Greek yacht building when the "O'Ptasia" was still brand new. "Paris loves project work, he wants to be involved in every construction step," says Vafiadis. As soon as a yacht is finished, he mentally pushes it aside and makes room for the next one.
He reveals a remarkable detail: Golden Yachts has put a new modular dock into operation that can easily accommodate 100-metre newbuilds. For Golden Yachts, "O'Ptasia" was therefore just the first step in a natural development towards delivering not only ever larger, but also better formats. "Our next yacht could easily be 105 or 110 metres long," says Dragnis musingly, adding almost pugnaciously: "I like to prove that I can also realise the really big projects."
Technical data of the "O'Ptasia"
- Length over everything: 85,00 m
- Width: 13,80 m
- Draught (full): 3,60 m
- Room volume: 2350 Grosstons
- Material: Steel, aluminium
- Motor: 2 x Caterpillar 3516C
- Engine power: 2 x 2525 kW
- Speed (max.): 18.2 kn
- Speed (travelling): 16 kn
- Fuel: 300.000 l
- Range: 2350 nm @ 16 kn
- Navigation: Wärtsilä
- Generators: 2 x Caterpillar C18
- Tender: 1 x 9.75 m Onda 321L, 1 x 8.13 m Chris Craft
- Jet skis: 3 x Seadoo
- Styling: Studio Vafiadis
- Interior design: Studio Vafiadis
- Construction: Golden Yachts
- Design category: Bureau Veritas
- Shipyard: Golden Yachts, 2018
This article appeared in BOOTE Exclusiv issue 06/2019 and was revised by the editorial team in September 2023.
