A Moonen 97 launched just five years ago is undergoing a thorough refit for new adventures with new owners. She’s now known as Nimbus.
At delivery, this Moonen 97, the fifth in that series, was christened Alaska. She remained under that name until last summer. That’s when the current owners acquired her. It’s worth noting that their interest was stirred at the Palm Beach International Boat Show in March 2015. While Alaska was not exhibited at the show, other Moonens were. The owners were seeking a yacht intended for global cruising. With several Moonens making transatlantic and other long-range travel the norm, the builder was a good fit. Alaska specifically was further a good fit due to low engine hours.
The owners themselves are not new to yachting. They enjoyed several sportfishing yachts over the years. They decided to switch to a more traditional motoryacht for comfort, space, and of course convenience in cruising. Island hopping in the Caribbean, American coastal cruising, and more are on their itinerary.
First, though, the owners want Nimbus tailored to their tastes. Nearly every part of the interior is being redesigned. And it’s not just decor. According to their captain, Christophe Junca (left), much of it is technical in nature. “We’re leveraging on the latest engineering thinking at Moonen in terms of noise and vibration attenuation,” he explains. Nimbus is gaining special rubber mounting on a variety of systems and piping. The engine exhaust is being changed for the same reason. The power-management system (a.k.a. hotel load system) aboard Nimbus is also being upgraded. Guests will additionally enjoy WiFi, and all bridge electronics are being upgraded, too.
Information on the decor and general arrangement haven’t been revealed. But, Nimbus will get a custom bimini for her main aft deck. Of course, a new paint job is also on order. Junca adds that “the owners had no hesitation in bringing their new yacht home” after Moonen resolved its financial difficulties last year. “It’s been great to arrive at a new cycle of life for the yard,” he says. (Junca has overseen a previous refit and a new build each at Moonen over the past decade.) The owners have even increased Nimbus’ refit task list along the way.
That task list, and all work in general, should wrap up by the summer cruising season. The owners of Nimbus intend to take her to Scandinavian waters for their maiden voyage.
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