Marking its fourth expedition yacht, Moonen Shipyards is building this megayacht, the Moonen 100 Explorer, for a repeat client.
The Moonen 100 Explorer features naval architecture and interior design by Vripack, with interior engineering by the shipyard. The collaboration with Vripack echoes an earlier partnership that saw the launch of two Vripack Doggersbank yachts, the 90-foot Commercial Break and 92-foot Poseidon, each delivered in 2003. If you’re familiar with Doggersbank, you’ll likely recall the shippy styling and go-anywhere engineering.
The Moonen 100 Explorer has softer lines than the Doggersbank does, akin to ones adorning the 114-foot expedition yacht My Issue (now Beluga), which it built in 2006. Regardless, the Moonen 100 Explorer embraces the same adventurous attitude. In fact, in speaking with one of the owners this past May, I learned that the couple has already mapped out a cruising schedule for at least three years. Being from Turkey, they naturally will visit the Med. But they’ll also venture through the Baltic, up the East Coast of the USA, and along the West Coast of the USA.
Since the owners of the Moonen 100 Explorer plan to live aboard for long stretches, they’re quite involved in the build and design process. About half of the steel hull and aluminum superstructure have been completed thus far. A bulbous bow will ensure good seakeeping and fuel consumption. Twin 609-hp Caterpillar engines should permit a 13-knot top end at 10-percent load and 12-knot cruising speed at 50-percent load. With speed dialed down to 10 knots, the Moonen 100 Explorer should see a 5,000-mile range, plenty to tackle the cruising itineraries. A draft of 2.18 meters (about 7 feet) will allow pulling into a multitude of ports and natural anchorages.
Inside, just three staterooms will cater to the owners and guests. When the owners are aboard for long crossings, they’ll put the gym in the lazarette to good use. And when entertaining or simply relaxing, they’ll enjoy an overall interior theme echoing colors seen in Istanbul’s markets (“pazari” in Turkish), including herbs, and even camels. Given the 7.5-meter (nearly 25-foot) beam, the spaces should be quite comfortable.
Moonen anticipates outfitting of the Lloyds-classed and MCA-compliant 100 Explorer to start next February. Delivery is scheduled for spring 2013.
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