While Derecktor Shipyards has been getting plenty of attention for Cakewalk, which will be the largest American-built yacht since the 1930s when she’s delivered next year, it has also quietly been working on other projects. Case in point: the extensive refit of At Last, the Heesen formerly known as Lady Joy, at its Florida refit and repair facility.
And what an extensive project it was. Derecktor separated the 145-footer’s (44-meter’s) superstructure from the hull to reconstruct the wheelhouse, transforming it from a dramatically raked area with low headroom and fitted with slanted windows to one with more headroom and vertical windows (above). If you’re familiar with the original style of the yacht – also previously known as Artful Dodger and, dating back to her launch in 1990, L’Aquasition – then you know the wheelhouse unfortunately suffered some a result of the sleek profile. At Last’s profile (top) is now quite different than it used to be, and the owners can now more comfortably gather in the wheelhouse to observe the goings-on at the helm, where the captain additionally benefits from better visibility forward and to each side. Naturally, all electronics and systems were upgraded, too.
Several other areas onboard were also gutted. Gone are the white-lacquered walls (above), replaced with anigré wood accented with maple and walnut, thanks to designer Claudette Bonville. When the central spiral staircase was stripped down, Bonville and the Derecktor team worked to disguise its supports with faux wood columns. The semicircular skylights adjoining it were also replaced, with metal deck plating. And speaking of skylights, the one in the skylounge had to go so that a half bath could be added. The reason: The yacht was built without a day head up here. (As much as the skylight was a nice touch, the lack of a day head is not so nice.)
All of the staterooms additionally benefited from the Derecktor and Bonville collaboration, but particularly the master (above), by gaining a private hallway leading the way in. The stateroom used to be directly off the dining area, with no real separation. The separate his-and-her baths are now one large master bath, too. As for guest cabins, there’s now a king-size VIP stateroom below decks, created after the fitness room was stripped down. The original three guest staterooms down here also received new décor treatments, with one additionally getting a Pullman berth so that upwards of 11 people can be accommodated.
The owner released a statement through Derecktor, expressing great pleasure with the work performed: “Anything we wanted, they could do.” He additionally said, “Since taking delivery in early June, we have cruised At Last repeatedly through the Abacos and Exumas, encountering anchorages we would have not thought possible in a yacht of this size. It has been an endless summer of activities with family and friends that has left us with a lifetime of incredible memories.” (In regards to the anchorages reference, At Last now has refurbished Kamewa waterjets, permitting a 5’7”, or 1.7-meter, draft. On a related note, the engines were replaced with twin MTU 12V 4000 diesels, allowing an 18- to 20-knot top speed.)
If you’d like to learn and see more, At Last is available for charter in The Bahamas and Caribbean this winter through International Yacht Collection for $150,000 per week, plus expenses. She’ll also be on display at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. International Yacht Collection is additionally the sales central agent, with At Last listed for $19.9 million.
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