Earlier this week Moonen Shipyards splashed its largest megayacht—but maybe not for long. The owner of the 138-foot (42-meter) Sofia, who was present for the ceremony, says he might just build bigger in the coming years. Considering Moonen intends to expand its facilities, this three-time Moonen owner may become a repeat client once again.
For now, though, Sofia suits his cruising plans, which include leaving Europe upon delivery in November to spent the winter in the Caribbean. There, Sofia’s three-person submarine should be put to good initial use. (Recall from our earlier reports about the megayacht that she was extended from her original design to accommodate a larger sub.) The sub can dive down about 328 feet (100 meters). It sits on a hydraulic swim platform that lowers into the water for launch, a custom system classed to Lloyds and meeting MCA safety requirements.
Sofia’s interior is from a frequent Moonen collaborator, Art-Line Interiors. Though photos have not been released, it’s surely dramatic, featuring oak wood and the aptly named Zabrano marble, resembling zebra stripes. There’s also good use of Concetto stone, from the popular quartz-countertop manufacturer CaesarStone. Concetto stone is made from individually cut semi-precious stones, and Sofia features custom artwork comprised of the material in her atrium.
Yet another highlight of the interior, in a technical space: a foil bridge. Sofia’s owner requested this instead of a traditional helm. 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.
To see photos of the launch sequence, head to the Megayacht News Facebook page.
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