An abundance of white and orange balloons heralded the traditional breaking of the champagne bottle across the bow of Engelberg at Amels last week. Not only is Engelberg among the first of the Dutch builder’s Limited Editions Amels 180 megayachts, but she’s also quite tailored to the owner’s particular tastes.
In fact, when the project was first publicized last year (though without the megayacht’s name), Amels stated that this Limited Editions Amels 180 would be ultra-bespoke. The owner requested that both the saloon and the sundeck be longer than the original dimensions created by the series’ designer, Tim Heywood, with 30 percent more space and fold-down balconies in the saloon. As for the sundeck, the owner requested a helipad forward, which required reinforcing the deck and adding 344 square feet (32 square meters). Since the helicopter would operate on a touch-and-go basis only, the helipad was arranged to double as an alfresco area. Another nice feature of the megayacht: folding steps incorporated within the swim platform, making it easier to enter and exit the water.
If you look closely at Engelberg’s superstructure in the photo above, you’ll see another element customized for the owners. There’s an “E” in orange, offset nicely by light-gray paint. In combination with a charcoal-gray hull color, it’s an extra dash of personality that complements already-pleasing lines. Though renderings haven’t been released, the interior should also reflect personality. Enzo Enea, CEO of the Swiss landscape-design firm Enea Landscape Architecture, states that it incorporates shades of blue, green, sand, and earth tones, to echo the natural beauty of the coast.
As for Engelberg’s christening, more than 400 people were present, ranging of course from the owners to the various craftspeople involved in the megayacht’s development and construction. The owners’ representatives from Ocean Independence, including their broker and management team, were there as well, having researched megayacht construction options on their behalf prior to the ultimate selection of the Amels 180 as a good fit.
Upon delivery of Engelberg at the end of the month, the owners and up to 12 guests will spend their first season in the Med. Hopefully they will plan other cruises to put Engelberg’s reported 4,500-nautical-mile range (at 13 knots) to good use. And hopefully they’ll add reports on some of their favorite destinations to Engelberg’s website, to inspire other megayacht owners and guests alike.
