Sofia, the largest superyacht in Moonen’s history, is still on pace for completion by the end of the year.
Moonen signed Sofia in 2010. Initially, she was expected to be christened Sofia III, since her owner previously owned a Moonen 84 megayacht known as Sofia and a Moonen 97 named Sofia II. Her name isn’t the only thing that has changed along the way. So, too, has her LOA. Sofia was the first contract in the Moonen 133 series. But, in spring 2011, Moonen revealed that the megayacht would be a bit larger, at about 138 feet, or 42 meters. It was necessary to accommodate a three-seater personal sub from U-Boat Worx.
Speaking of that sub, sea trials are expected to begin on it by the end of the month. Meanwhile, her launching crane is being finished. When everything is ready for shipping to Moonen, the sub will sit on a hydraulic swim platform. The platform will lower into the water to let the sub launch.
Inside, Sofia features design work by Art-Line Interiors. In the photo gallery below, you can see a guest cabin nearly completed as well as the master suite coming together. Overall, there are two twin staterooms and three queen cabins (one aft of the wheelhouse) joining the main-deck master.
Although there aren’t any images available, the wheelhouse design recently underwent a change. The owner decided he’d rather have Sofia feature what’s called a foil bridge. Moonen is installing it with electronics specialist Tijssen Elektro. In brief, a foil bridge involves a thin sheet of film mounted on aluminum, and all electronics units are located beneath this. It can be imprinted with any color and take any shape so desired.
Other highlights of Sofia that should prove interesting to see: a Caesar stone atrium, and iPads serving as controllers for the audio-visual systems.
The all-aluminum, round-bilge displacement megayacht should also top out at 14.5 knots thanks to twin Caterpillar C32s.
