Megayachts like Cacos V, built by Admiral Tecnomar, command attention. But what makes Cacos V particularly stand out is not her profile—though it is certainly sharp. It’s also not her interior design—though it, too, is striking, a virtual art gallery on the water. Rather, Cacos V is significant for what you can’t see, or hear, or feel. This 131-foot (40-meter), all-aluminum project is the quietest-ever yacht classed by RINA.
All of the classification societies have standards for permitted sound and vibration levels. Overall, with one or two exceptions, RINA has the strictest standards. Saloons and cabins aboard semi-displacement yachts (of which Cacos V is one) can have sound levels between 45 and 55 decibels while in harbor. For comparison’s sake, 60 decibels is the level of normal conversation. Underway on semi-displacement yachts, the allowable figures are 60 to 70 decibels in the saloon and 50 to 60 decibels in staterooms. In both the relaxation and sleeping spaces, Cacos V was far quieter. In fact, in the owner’s suite aboard Cacos V, the sound level that RINA confirmed at anchor was 36.2. At the 16-knot cruising speed, it was 49.1.
Vibration is as much a contributor to discomfort aboard yachts and megayachts as sound. RINA stipulates an allowable range of 1 to 4 mm/sec (a measurement of velocity) in both saloons and cabins while semi-displacement yachts are underway. In harbor, it’s 0.5 to 2 mm/sec. Aboard Cacos V, RINA confirmed 0.2 mm/sec in the owner’s suite at the 16-knot cruise. (Twin 1,920-hp MTUs also permit a 21-knot maximum speed.) There was no discernible vibration here at anchor.
The owner of Cacos V will be able to enjoy the silence in an atmosphere that’s further notable for two things. First, RINA additionally granted Cacos V its Green Plus certification. The saloon shows off just some of the LEDs used extensively for lighting, with more drama from dark-stained oak and Macassar ebony. LED panels are further used in the main-deck foyer. There’s also a strong emphasis on natural lighting, with full-height windows off the saloon and dining area.
A second reason why Cacos V is additionally notable: her volume. With naval architecture by Luca Dini Design and Admiral Tecnomar’s in-house team, Cacos V is reportedly the largest-volume 40-meter motoryacht around. Internal volume: 479 gross tons. For comparison, a same-size custom megayacht under construction in The Netherlands has a volume of 200 tons. Typically volumes like that of Cacos V are tied to yachts in the 148-foot (45-meter) realm.
The 27’6” (8.4-meter) megayacht was envisioned from the start as a social place. In fact, the owner of Cacos V stipulated that in his build brief. If any of the guests needs a conversation starter, we suggest they raise the subject of the art in the staterooms. Each guest cabin has a distinctive art piece serving as the bed’s headboard.
A handful of shaded and sun-drenched alfresco areas characterize Cacos V as well. Besides this main aft-deck arrangement, there’s a nice seating area and a sunpad at the foredeck. Having owned four previous megayachts (all incorporating the name Cacos), the owner knows how his guests like to relax.
If this sundeck doesn’t make someone relax, nothing will. The social emphasis and roomy feel of Cacos V really come into play here. It looks and feels far larger than one aboard a 131-footer. Take note of the teak-topped bar adjacent to the hot tub. The teak decking underfoot actually flows right up into it, with no seams where the two meet; instead, it curves. It’s impressive.
With projects such as Cacos V, Admiral Tecnomar is clearly conveying that the troubled past of the Admiral brand is just that, well past (Tecnomar acquired the Admiral brand of megayachts from bankruptcy in 2011). The builder has a handful of megayachts under construction, and another handful of proposals on the table. Some of those proposals are collaborations with notable naval architects like Vripack.
It’s probably safe to say that, unlike Cacos V, Admiral Tecnomar does not plan to stay quiet.
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