When Vicem introduced its Cruiser Series, the goal was to offer higher-volume yachts and megayachts capable of semi-displacement speeds, while still emphasizing long range. The largest model in the series, the 107 Cruiser, is therefore a blend of old and new. She’s one of the few megayachts—and yachts in general—still built via cold-molded construction. She’s also wrapped in the traditional Downeast styling that Turkey-based Vicem has embraced for years. And, The 107 Cruiser reflects Vicem’s increasing willingness to let buyers customize the interior design and general arrangement.
The owner of Moni, hull number one of the Vicem 107 Cruiser, broke with tradition in a few ways. For one, the 106’7″ (32.5-meter) megayacht has five staterooms, including the master, rather than four. Among the guest staterooms are two truly outstanding VIPs, including this one, which further features an unexpected arrangement. Think of how many yachts from about 80 feet up to this LOA you’ve seen where the bed is tucked into the narrowest part of the room. More owners should follow Moni’s lead by placing the desk there, flanking it with seating, and then taking advantage of the beamier space aft for the bed. The room looks and feels far larger.
Because of the extra accommodations for guests, the two remaining guest staterooms, including this bunk cabin, are small. Of course, families accustomed to cruising with their children find the cabins perfectly suitable. Hopefully the children who cruise aboard Moni are big kids, as it’s quite a challenge to get into the top bunk. Instead of a ladder, there’s a toe hold built into the bulkhead adjacent to the bunks. It’s also at a height that will require first stepping onto the bottom bunk with the other foot.
While this angle of Moni’s master emphasizes the leather headboard, the room is an excellent example of the woodworking skills of Vicem’s in-house craftsmen. The first Vicem we’ve seen that doesn’t feature mahogany inside—anigre was the choice—the megayacht is a showpiece of bookmatched grains. Even where leather interrupts the wood panels, you can run your finger from the end of one vertically positioned grain straight across to where the wood begins again and pick up the trail. Furthermore, all drawers are hidden behind cabinets that open at the light press of your fingers.
As stated above, Vicem created the Cruiser Series to offer higher volume. Between the seven-foot-plus headroom below decks and the even better headroom here in the saloon and dining area, Moni makes guests feel as if they’re aboard a much bigger boat. The split-level arrangement of the spaces, which is also aboard the smaller Cruiser offerings, adds to the appeal, as does the 107 Cruiser’s 23’11” (7.3-meter) beam.
Situating the master stateroom below decks allows for a pretty good galley to port on Moni’s main deck. A side-deck door makes provisioning easier, and although this photo doesn’t show it, the prep counter has an extra raised section. A few inches wide, it has a hinged section that flips out to allow platters to be staged.
Accessed via stairs along the port-side deck, the crew’s quarters include a nice-size mess and overall are finished to the same quality as guest areas are. The captain gets a double berth, and a twin cabin with a pullman accommodates the other hands, as does this single berth. In a sign of the difference between American owners and their overseas counterparts (Moni’s owner is European), U.S. buyers will no doubt request the washer and dryer be placed in a separate locker.
Something sure to please buyers of all nationalities: this nearly 754-square-foot (70-square-meter) sundeck. The area is more than ample to host 10 for lunch on the hook or a dockside party attended by a dozen additional guests. Like the main deck, Moni’s sundeck is split level, with the bar, dining area, helm, and sunlounge opposite it on the upper section and room for a RIB or loose lounges aft.
The already-ample swim platform aboard Moni gives Vicem a leg up on the competition thanks to this extendable section. Once it lifts up and out, then lowers to submerge the steps, it becomes a handy way for swimmers to climb in and out of the water. When stowed flush with the rest of the swim platform, it’s the boarding spot for the RIB or other toys.
Vicem’s cold-molded mahogany construction has proven itself time and again to reduce sound and vibration, and to produce a well-running yacht. Vicem’s own sea trial data shows that the 107 Cruiser has a 15-knot cruising speed and nearly 20-knot top end, both under half-load conditions, powered by twin 1,550-hp Caterpillar C32s. This translates to a fuel burn of about 119 gph (452 liters per hour) at cruise and about 165 gph (626 liters per hour) at maximum speed, with total fuel capacity being 3,831 gallons (14,500 liters). That’s enough for cruising around the Caribbean, Bahamas, Med, or other region all season, further made possible by a 6’2″ (1.9-meter) draft.
Moni’s owner clearly likes cruising with a crowd, and found a way to do so without having to step up to a far larger size. Vicem is betting that it can attract similarly minded megayacht buyers with the 107 Cruiser—and ones who enjoy having the flexibility of arranging decor and spaces as they wish.
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