Doug and Linda Von Allmen know a thing or two about megayachts, having commissioned a handful of them, most christened Lady Linda, over the years. Like many owners, they bought increasingly larger megayachts. But, they ran into a convenience problem with their largest one. She was the 197-foot (60-meter) Linda Lou, which they took delivery of in 2006. Linda Lou had an 11’6” (3.5-meter) draft, making keeping her behind their home in Florida and cruising the Bahamas a challenge. That’s why they actually stepped down in size for their newest Lady Linda, from Trinity Yachts. Besides measuring 187 feet (57 meters), the megayacht has an eight-foot (2.4-meter) draft at half load, thanks to all-aluminum construction.
With so many megayachts to their credit—this Lady Linda is their third project with Trinity Yachts, for example—the Von Allmens know exactly how they like to entertain and relax by themselves. Elegant entertaining was high on the priority list, in fact. Therefore, this caramel-tone, onyx-topped bar in Lady Linda’s saloon is a good example. Note, too, the gold leafing overhead and the large artwork. The painting is one of many that the Von Allmens chose specifically for each space.
Speaking of space, Lady Linda has a nice, flowing feel. It comes in part to the dining area (visible forward of the saloon’s seating area) not being a separate, enclosable room, as you might expect of a 187-footer. Evan K. Marshall was the interior designer of choice for the Von Allmens. He selected a combination of dark and light woods, plus burled woods, to create a dramatic effect for wall paneling, columns, and cabinetry.
Still on the subject of dramatic effect, the foyer certainly fits the bill, doesn’t it? Between the backlit Lalique panel and the mural rising along the staircase, there’s abundant detail. Notably, the mural has an interesting story behind it. Marshall was inspired to re-create a famous Art Deco relief from the equally famous ocean liner Normandie. That relief stood for the epitome of design and sophistication, among other things. So, Marshall wanted to convey the same concepts aboard Lady Linda.
Like a lot of megayacht owners, the Von Allmens don’t spend a lot of time in the saloon, preferring the skylounge. Lady Linda has two distinctly different areas comprising this bridge-deck space. In the foreground, for instance, is a TV lounge. The screen rises from the starboard-side cabinet, painted to look like it’s mother of pearl. The marquetry underfoot, meanwhile, mimics the curves of carpeting forward in the bar and seating area (background of photo).
A quick rearranging of furniture and drawing of the curtains transform Lady Linda’s TV lounge into a cinema. It’s interesting to see how the whole personality of the area changes, with the silverleaf and goldleaf wall behind the TV taking on more prominence. The same is true for the silverleaf overhead.
Depending on how many guests are aboard, Lady Linda can accommodate them on the lower deck (eight in total) and more on the bridge deck. This queen berth in the bridge-deck stateroom is actually a Murphy bed, despite appearing as if it’s permanent. On charters, this can be a kids’ cabin, since the crew keeps toys and games stowed nearby. When the bed is tucked up into the wall, the opposite side has a bookshelf, and the room can serve as a gym.
While the Von Allmens wanted Lady Linda’s guests well care of in equal-size staterooms, understandably they wanted a capacious respite for themselves. The main-deck master suite occupies the full 33’4” (10.2-meter) beam and features a study plus his and her heads abundantly outfitted with varying tones of onyx. A painting opposite the bed splits along its center to reveal the television. Further note the large oval ports behind the settee. Similar ports in each en suite bath bring plenty of natural light into the entire suite.
For playtime, Lady Linda has a mini armada of toys. These include SeaBobs, PWCs (one a stand-up model), a RIB, and a custom tender, for spirited on-the-water fun. Lady Linda herself puts in a good turn of speed, a reported 20-knot top end. Power comes courtesy of twin 3,384-hp Caterpillars, which further allow a reported 4,500-nautical-mile range at 10 knots.
Perizie yacht
Amazing boat!!!
Mark McLean
I was one of the two painters at AZZURA MARINE on the Gold Coast in Queensland Australia who painted the interior fit out. Would there be any photos of the interior available? It was a beautiful yacht and a pleasure to be involved in the build.
Thank you….. Mark McLean.