ALL PHOTOS: Peter Seyfferth/TheYachtPhoto.com
An apostrophe often denotes an omission of a letter or a possessive case. Either way, it commands your attention, because something is different, distinct. The same is true of Apostrophe, built by Hakvoort. The 130-foot (39.7-meter) megayacht was commissioned by a Russian owner who had never owned a custom yacht, or even a large yacht. (His previous boat was a Fairline production cruiser in the 59-foot, or 18-meter, range.) He wanted to cruise extensively with his family, so a far larger vessel was a must. He also knew exactly what he wanted design-wise. Just as an apostrophe stops you to get your attention, Apostrophe, especially her decor, does the same.
A primary way the megayacht ensures this is through intricate inlays of mother of pearl. The owner of Apostrophe tapped Reymond Langton Design to create the Art Deco interior, and style her curvaceous profile. Both Hakvoort and Reymond Langton Design say the owner never second-guessed any cost for design, no matter the complexity. These inlays are repeated in painstaking detail in essentially every room onboard Apostrophe, where dark walnut and ebony make it stand out even more. Guests could spend hours examining them all.
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Curves inside complement the curvy profile of Apostrophe. Note the overhead pattern in the saloon (left) and light fixture in the dining area (right). Note, too, the mural in the dining room. It’s a replica of Gustav Klimt’s famous painting “The Virgin.”
Sculptures, inlays, and furnishings get your attention in the skylounge. The windows to each side (not visible) curve outward, too. It’s an effect repeated in the owner’s suite one deck below. The unusual shape gives Apostrophe a distinct profile. It also increases what can be seen from a variety of angles.
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The circular master suite occupies the full 26-foot (8-meter) beam aboard Apostrophe. The primary Art Deco elements here are inlays (especially above the bed), plus sconces. The swirl detail seen on furnishings repeats in the glass in the en suite bath. The mural in the bath is a showstopper, too.
The four guest staterooms below decks each have their own color scheme. Beds can push together for flexibility, as you may expect. Recall the earlier mention of painstaking details. The owner of Apostrophe even paid attention to the stitching on the leather wall panels.
“I call Apostrophe a mini ship,” her captain says. He joined the build about three months before launch. Prior to that, all decisions were communicated via the owner and his project managers from Moran Yacht & Ship. He praises Hakvoort for Apostrophe’s overall engineering. He also particularly appreciates the accessibility of systems in the engine room. She cruises at 11 knots under twin Caterpillar power.
The sundeck on Apostrophe treats guests to shade and rays alike. The bartop and barstools adjacent to the hot tub are particularly welcoming. There’s a handy crew-call button here, too. Loose lounges aft and fixed settees, including one forward of the hot tub, encourage spending time together.
Norway, Sweden, and the Mediterranean were among Apostrophe’s first destinations upon delivery. Five years in the making, she was worth the wait for her owner. At the launch party, both he and Klaas Hakvoort, co-director of Hakvoort, discussed how the global recession impacted Apostrophe. “The usually cooperative banks refused to finance the construction,” Klaas explained. That could have been a deal-breaking hurdle, particularly for this first-time megayacht buyer. But, the owner, his project managers, and the shipyard found a solution together. Just as he approached the decor of Apostrophe, he was determined to leave no option out to bring his vision to fruition.
BONUS PHOTOS: More photos of Hakvoort’s Apostrophe are in a special Megayacht News Google+ album.
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