Neville Crichton is well-known in superyacht circles. And now he’s joined the Feadship circle of superyacht owners. The 151’6” (46.22-meter) Como launched this week for the New Zealand native.
“Having built many yachts in New Zealand, my choice of Feadship came after a careful and extensive examination of its expertise and facilities,” Crichton says. “Once the decision to work with Feadship for the first time was made, I followed the construction process closely at all stages. I am pleased to be able to report that Feadship has exceeded my expectations.”
Crichton’s expectations were certainly high. He commissioned Dubois Naval Architects to give Como a vertical bow and what’s called a whaleback sheer. The latter is often seen on sportfishing boats. Como also has abundant use of glass. Particularly noteworthy are the large hull ports and virtual wall of glass lining the main deck. For the latter, Como has the glass mounted on, not inset into, the aluminum superstructure. The overall styling is streamlined and sleek, even slick, befitting Crichton’s background with fast cars (racecars and sports cars alike).
More important, though, Crichton is a passionate yachtsman. His love for boats started in his early teens. That’s when he bought his first craft, a P Class sailing dinghy, for the equivalent of a few U.S. dollars. As an adult, he commissioned and helmed a number of racing yachts. If you follow yacht racing, you may know that Crichton built a number of Alfa Romeo supermaxi and maxi racing yachts starting in the early 2000s. Crichton also was a founder of New Zealand’s famed Alloy Yachts. He commissioned the 134-foot (41-meter) motoryacht Como from the yard in 2007. His contributions to yachting, and business (he owns automotive dealerships), earned him the title Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.
Crichton’s new Como may be “small” compared to other recent Feadships. But don’t confuse size with lack of complexity. Henk de Vries, director of Feadship, says, “Feadship is not only about very large superyachts: We also pride ourselves on creating exceptionally well-honed objects on a more human scale.” He adds, “We have used the very latest technologies and developments to push the window—and the windows—on what is surely the most sophisticated 46-meter superyacht in the world today.”
Sophistication extends into the arrangement and interior design of Como, too. Redman Whiteley Dixon selected rich-tone woods for the four guest staterooms (including two twins) and relaxation areas. The 29’5” (9-meter) beam of Como surely feels commodious on the wheelhouse deck. The semi-enclosed alfresco space can transform into just a shaded terrace when the glass to each side is lowered.
Como, powered by twin Caterpillar C32s, has a draft of 7’2” (2.2 meters). She also has a crew of seven plus the captain.
mexx
Awesome boat! =)