They say imitation is the highest form of flattery, and it certainly holds true in the case of one European owner who signed a contract with the Turkish shipyard RMK Marine and renowned designer Ron Holland. The gentleman had seen Marco Polo, the 147-foot Transocean Explorer Yacht that Holland designed and Cheoy Lee built about two years ago, and wanted a similarly classic-looking boat.
While the project started out at 40 meters (about 131 feet), the owner wanted more usable interior space, so the end result is the RMK 45, measuring about a foot longer than Marco Polo.
Similar to Marco Polo, the design was conceived with ocean-crossing capabilities in mind. A fine angle of entry, integrated with a bulbous bow, should ensure good fuel efficiency. Upon reaching a port, the megayacht will deploy her anchors from a system that prevents the chain from scraping the bulbous bow.
Inside, the owner will get private use of much of the upper deck-90 square meters (about 969 square feet), to be exact. The full-beam owner’s suite will include a lounge with full-height windows. Occupying the traditional location of the owner’s suite, that being the forward portion of the main deck, is the VIP stateroom. Large windows should ensure enjoyable cruises. The rest of the guests will be accommodated in four staterooms on the lower deck. And to ensure everyone can enjoy alfresco areas for dining and relaxing, the tenders will be stowed on the foredeck.
RMK Marine, which is presently building a Sparkman & Stephens ketch as well as the Dubois-designed Oyster superyacht series, hopes the project can become the launching point for a new series.
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