ALL PHOTOS: NEIL RABINOWITZ PHOTOGRAPHY, 2010
Quick, name the build material for a yacht in the 90- to 100-foot range. If you said fiberglass, you’re right – and wrong, at least where Citadel Yachts’ Miss Lisa is concerned. This 92-foot expedition yacht has a steel hull. In fact, steel is the only material Citadel will consider for its lineup of megayachts to 122 feet. The yard’s founder and CEO, Greg Ward, simply believes it’s the best choice, based on its durability, especially for long-range cruising.
That philosophy caught the attention of the owners of Miss Lisa when they were looking for a yard to build their boat. They’re serious cruisers who spend about half their time on the water.
Equally important, they wanted the interior to embrace both the “business” and the lifestyle aspects of yachting.
The pilothouse is a good example. The raked windows provide good visibility, even for someone of my short stature (5’2”). There’s also good room for charts to be spread out. As is common practice aboard megayachts, the room includes an observation settee for friends or family to enjoy the ride and the views underway. But in an interesting twist, there’s a desk (closeup here) that addresses both practical and playful needs. The desk, straddling the pilothouse and the skylounge aft, lets the owners survey the horizon but still address work needs back home on land.
There are other features onboard that are at once fun and functional, thanks to the owners’ cooperation with interior designer Joe Artese. Take a good look at the lower-deck foyer here, outside the three guest staterooms. Note particularly the handrails lining both sides, even curving beautifully to follow the bend in the passageway. As Artese put it to me, “I wanted to give it more of a sculpture feel.” It certainly worked. But equally important, the handrails are thick enough to allow steadying yourself in a seaway, and they don’t protrude so far as to risk being hip bruisers.
Another excellent example lies in the galley. Citadel Yachts offers all of its 92s with an enormous galley, especially compared to similar-size craft. The central island has an oven, icemaker, and trash compactor on its port side, while barstools line the starboard side. Hand-milled granite tops the island as well as the countertops. It’s also worth noting that the granite, with “lips” to catch spills, is one piece, as per Artese’s direction; he says it’s similar to the owners’ home kitchen. Some designers, yards, and/or subcontractors create the lips by adhering a second piece of granite on top.
Here’s more of Miss Lisa and her relaxed, decidedly East Coast feel.
Leave a Reply