Rhoades Young Design is well-known—rightfully so—for its sailing-yacht interiors and styling, some of which have echoed bygone-era looks. But the 24-year-old design firm has also made a number of contributions to motoryacht looks, too. The 49M Classic Explorer proposal shown here is borne out of this experience.
The 49M Classic Explorer (160’8”, or 49 meters) has some profile elements of a rugged workboat, a deliberate choice. Rhoades Young Design intends the naval architecture to embrace engineering for globetrotting. The design team further mixes in early-20th-century appeal. If you follow the studio’s work, you may recall that Rhoades Young Design styled Bystander, a 138-foot (42-meter) motoryacht from 2006. She was largely styled to resemble a 1930s workboat.
The general arrangement of the 49M Classic Explorer respects traditions upheld over decades as well as modern-day living preferences. The saloon and formal dining area are on the main deck, for example. Just outside is room for relaxing and entertaining. There’s additional space for these purposes aft on the bridge deck. In a nod to modern times, the 49M Classic Explorer has a skylight atop her funnel (the latter purely cosmetic), bringing abundant natural light down through a four-deck-high stairway. Furthermore, the owners get much of the upper deck to themselves. Their stateroom, with 180-degree views, is complemented by a study and indoor-outdoor saloon. A private alfresco area is ideal for morning coffee or taking in the views as the 49M Classic Explorer approaches her next destination.
That destination can be enjoyed with an additional 10 friends and family, catered to by 12 crewmembers. Most guest cabins are below decks, though Rhoades Young Design wants the VIP to feel like a real VIP. Aboard the 49M Classic Explorer, this stateroom is on the main deck, accessed via a lobby and including a study. That study can convert to another cabin if needed.
To keep exterior decks clean, the 49M Classic Explorer has a two-tender bay beneath the aft deck.
Editor’s note: For more details on the design, contact the studio or fill out our contact form.
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