CBI Navi in Viareggio, part of the Maiora-FIPA Group, has just delivered the 40 M Explorer Yacht “Stella di Mare”.
The Yacht has been designed by Hydro Tec, Naval Architecture and Exterior Design, and by Fossati Design Bureau, Interior Design. The Yacht left immediately on a summer cruise with the European Owners and will be available for visits at the Monaco International Boat Show in September.
General
The design of the new Explorer M40 is an example of the Hydro Tec holistic design package with the exterior design, engineering and naval architecture all completed in harmony. This new mega yacht has been designed for an experienced Owner whose previous yacht was also an Explorer designed and styled by Hydro Tec.
His input into this project were extremely valuable and were widely implemented to the design of the M40. With her blend of contemporary angular elements joined to classic curved proportions creating a design that is both elegant and timeless.
Interior
Full Custom design, directly developed on European Owner’s commission, with Italian timeless elegance combining sophisticated materials together ( walnut, wenge’, cherry wood, black lacquered wood, brown, beige leather, bronze mirrors and glass, brushed bronze as unique metal finishing) all in mat/semi-mat finishign giving a comfortable, harmonic feeling on a sophisticated and balanced post modern architecture characterized by protrusions and recesses. The onboard itinerary is personalized through a private collection of old print and n.2 contemporary pieces of art (custom made -on our project- by Peter Bellerby &Co.) located in the MD Saloon and in the UD Saloon.
Owner’s Brief
“Our intention was to create a connection between 3 generations of our Family, by giving the possibility to leave a personal touch onboard starting from the first generation of 75 years old to the third of 7 years old” the Owner said. “To have a Yacht full of substance and real value, instead of fashion and appearance”. Large and comfortable Interior/Exterior spaces perfectly join together; a mix of pure long range cruising, with a touch of elegance and timeless feeling, is throughout the vessel. The three generations are easy to be recognized on board:
1) the GrandFather is extremely keen on some great typical Italian life’s pleasure: fine wines and good food. He wanted to have some custom made wine cellar that can contain up to 800 bottles; as well as some custom made refrigerators and freezer for storaging all Italian treats and superb delicatessen.
2) the junior Father is mainly into business – done with style! – and he is planning to work on board, thanks to a professional studio, along with his high pleasure for transoceaninc cruising.
3) the Kids: finally, the third generation of the Family has got his own area, personalized with custom designed comics and cartoon drawings.
Technical
The input from the owner was not just aesthetical but also to the practical use and behavior of the yacht, as they plan to be on board for long periods of time. One of the main points was that she must be a “real” explorer vessel.
To satisfy the owner, from the technical point of view, the Explorer M40 has all the characteristic features of the successful lines of Hydro Tec designed Explorers. With a steel hull, optimized using CFD methods and tank testing focused on the fuel economy, with a round bilge, bulbous bow and flat sections aft; the bow profile has been designed with beautifully classic flared lines which were created not purely for aesthetical purposes but to also help keeping the deck dry in rough seas. The Beam/Draught ratio has been taken to an optimal value and special provisions were taken to allow for high diameter/high efficiency propellers.
With the initial request of a “real” sea going vessel, the Naval Architect heavily considered the crews operations on board the vessel during long voyages. Hydro Tec created a gallery running below the lower deck, this space allows the crew a sheltered passage from the crews’ quarters to the engine room and lazarette, it is also designed for the inspection of machineries, tank levels as well as housing the main piping and a huge amount of space for refrigerators and storage.
Additionally, the yacht has 8000lts of fresh water and a total fuel capacity of 75,000lts, which provides an extremely long range and transatlantic capabilities. The main engines are twin Caterpillar C32 rated at 746 kW at 1600 rpm, providing a strong and reliable power unit which will enable the yacht to reach a top speed of 14,5 knots, while cruising at 10 knots. The yacht is also equipped with a spacious lazarette aft of the engine room which has smaller toy storage as well as a professional work bench and tools for any small repairs that maybe needed during long voyages. The Electric power generation is provided by three equally powered caterpillar C4.4 gensets, for a combined power of 252 kW.
When all these factors are applied we felt that the “real explorer” target had been completely met and surpassed. The yacht is designed with a layout of three enclosed decks plus a huge sundeck, sheltered by a large hardtop surmounted by a 360° view crow’s nest, designed to be a great vantage point when exploring. The ample flybridge offers the space for free standing sun beds, a covered space for the gym, al fresco dining with BBQ and refrigerators and complete helm station which is quite an uncommon feature for a yacht this size.The lower deck offers a comfortable space for four suites and for the crew area, with three double cabins, laundry and a real dining space.
On main deck you will find the big saloon, with dining, the galley, the main lobby and the Owner’s suite, with a huge space for bathroom and dressing. The Upper deck provides space for the Family/TV room, the upper deck lobby, the large Captain’s cabin and the wide wheelhouse, with sofa and office space. The external spaces are extremely substantial, according to the Owner’s wishes.
The aft area of the main deck is very spacious and can be sheltered with sliding panels concealed in the fashion plates. The aft area of the upper deck is also very wide and shielded by the flybridge overhang and by the protective transparent panels on the sides. The area forward of the wheelhouse, besides the big sunbathing area which discreetly hides the rescue boat, it also offers a nice lounge area for guests or crew.
The bow and stern thrusters are hydraulic, XX and YY kW respectively, and the stern thruster is fitted in the aft skeg for optimal performance. Air conditioning system provides full control on the climate conditions inside the Yacht, including the possibility to use a gasoil powered thermo unit for extremely cold climate conditions. The M40 Explorer is a real seagoing yacht, ready to tackle all conditions and explore the planet.
