Even though it wasn’t fully outfitted yet, the hairdressing/massage room aboard Excellence IV grabbed my attention. Climbing up and down five decks without stopping over the course of about an hour will do that to me. But seriously, the room was one of many that convinced me that the charter brokers and clients anxiously awaiting the completion of this 257-footer at Abeking & Rasmussen won’t be disappointed.
For one, she’s owned by an experienced yachtsmen who also understands what makes for a successful charter yacht: the well-known Northeast car dealer Herb Chambers, who has his current yacht, Excellence III, available for charter and is a Camper & Nicholsons’ client. For another, according to Till von Krausse, sales director for Abeking & Rasmussen, Chambers has been quite enthusiastic the handful of times he’s visited the yard thus far to see the progress. Given the fact that heated arguments can and do occur between owners and yards, sometimes resulting in parties agreeing to disagree and part ways, it’s refreshing.
So, more about the yacht: All four of the guest staterooms on the lower deck are the same size, as per Chamber’s requirement, so that no one will feel his/her room is lacking. There are two additional identical VIP suites up on the main deck, aft of the private cinema. (The master suite is one more level up.)
Two areas I particularly liked: the dining room and the sundeck. The 257-footer positions the dining room up on the wheelhouse deck rather than in the traditional spot amidships on the main deck, guaranteeing great views morning, noon, and night. It’s one of those simple design solutions that made me stop and wonder why more owners don’t follow suit. And even though the sundeck is vast, it’s broken up into a handful of gathering spots so as to not seem a sprawling landscape. There’s a Jacuzzi (naturally) forward plus sunpads and seating spread about, including a great lounging spot tucked into the base of the mast (which is shaped like a whale’s tale, a hallmark of Chambers’ yachts). Sunshades will deploy both forward and aft when desired.
Excellence IV should be delivered next July. As soon as launch photos are available, I’ll showcase them.
Leave a Reply